/ / Design Of MPLS Router Based On ATM Switch With Distributed Forwarding Engines

摘要

PURPOSE: An ATM(Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch based switching and routing device having distributed FEs(Forwarding Engines) and a method thereof are provided to selectively add FEs for a port to be used for MPLS(MultiProtocol Label Switching) on a subscriber interface part of the ATM switch, so as to simultaneously handle ATM switching and IP(Internet Protocol) routing. CONSTITUTION: FEs(200) are distributed in each AIM(ATM Interface Module) to provide an IP service in an ATM switch. A port for providing an MPLS service is selected to install each FE(200) between a PHY(PHYsical layer) and the AIM. Each FE(200) and the AIM are connected with each other though a UTOPIA(Universal Test and Operations PHY Interface for ATM). An MPLS service controller(300) is installed in a control plain to provide the MPLS service in the ATM switch, thereby controlling each FE(200). And the MPLS service controller(300) controls each FE(200) to configure forwarding information and merging information for packets received in the EF(200).