MPLS Failover between two providers?

[robertsturt]

Hi All,

First post here so "hello".

I've read lots about multi-homing between 2 service providers on the Internet but I am interested to learn more about multi-homing over a private based network (MPLS).

For example, the requirement is 2 CE routers connected to two different service providers.  It's a new solution so it's a design from the ground up.

We're talking about 40 sites here with various connectivity from Ethernet to DSL.  The requirement is that if MPLS provider A fails, traffic is routed over service provider B.  There may be a requirement to segment the LAN to share the connectivity but in the event of failover, both LAN segments would use the available circuit.

Would you recommend using a BGP solution as this is what the service providers talk nativly or something like OSPF?

Many thanks, Rob.

[Mohamed Sobair]

Hi,

This design requires (Inter-AS) Peering Architecture between both providers.

You need to make sure this setup would work first by consulting both Service Providers.

If its the case, then I would suggest running BGP as you have more control and the AS-path attributes are preserved along the way between your CE sites. Of Course the convergence wont be as fast as with BGP but with tweaked BGP parameters , you would achieve what you are looking for at all.

Regards,

Mohamed

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello Rob,

if all 40 sites will be multihomed with SP A and SP B, you can handle multihoming without the need for the two SPs to interact that may be the best solution for redundancy.

otherwise if there are sites that are not multihomed, as noted by Mohamed the two SPs need to interact

in any case BGP is the most flexible and to be preferred

Hope to help

Giuseppe