Playing with MPLS-TE

[John Blakley]

I have TE configured in GNS and was wondering what determines when the tunnel is used? The tunnels are up, but what determines from the customer side if the tunnel is even used or is it always used? I was under the impression initially that TE was for QoS in an MPLS network, but from playing with it it seems like it doesn't have much to do with QoS at all. (It seems I'd still need policing policies, etc, for protecting myself from the CE.)

Thanks!

[Jon Marshall · Accepted solution]

John

You are correct in that MPLS-TE is not a replacement for QOS. MPLE-TE is primarily concerned with providing alternate paths through the MPLS cloud. It also has the capability to reserve rsources on that path to ensure that guarantees are met.

Have a look at this thread and come back if you have further questions -

https://supportforums.cisco.com/message/3035111#3035111

Jon

[John Blakley]

Thanks Jon! That helped.

One other question: I read the steering traffic per VRF isn't the normal, but can be done with bgp next-hop under the tunnel interface. If it's not the norm, what is the standard for SPs? Do they normally allow everyone to come through the same tunnel and then let rsvp decide what path to take?

[Jon Marshall]

John

Apologies but unfortunately that i do not know, sounds like a Giuseppe type question to me.

Jon