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Improvement of Multiprotocol Label Switching
Network Performance using Software-defined
Controller
Andrii Pryslupskyi
Department of telecommunications
Lviv Polytechnic National University
UKRAINE, Lviv, 12 Bandery Str.
E-mail: pr.andrii@gmail.com
Oleksiy Panchenko
Department of telecommunications
Lviv Polytechnic National University
UKRAINE, Lviv, 12 Bandery Str.
E-mail: oleksij@gmail.com
Abstract— In this work, we propose an improved MPLS
network by separating the level of control from the data
transmission level. To do this the MPLS controller in network
architecture has been entered. This controller performs the
functions of managing the quality of service by dynamically
assigning labels. The process of forming the LSP tunnel of an
existing MPLS with the proposed solution is considered. The
effectiveness of MPLS and MPLS with controller technologies by
the network’s time delay in the process of packets transmit has
been estimated.
Keywords—multiprotocol label switching, control systems,
network topology, QoS,MPLS controller
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays there is a rapid development of the provided
services and increase the quality of content of multimedia
services [1]. More and more users are connected to the network
and are eager to receive different services with the expected
quality. Also, the number of devices of users who
communicate with each other over the Internet is increasing.
All these thinks increase the load and requirements of the
networks and promotes their development. However, ensuring
that the QoS level [2] will be normal is difficult in this case.
The problem is the effective use of network resources, the rapid
response of the network to changes in the topology and the
ability to control the load on its segments.
Next - generation packet transport network (for example
MPLS technology) effectively used in backbone transmission
telecommunication networks [3]. This technology plays a
important role to simultaneously connect 4G/5G network
equipment in mobile networks to reduce operation cost [4-5].
So, use of software-defined networking ensure to dynamically
configure and manage network topology and data plane
through a centralized control plane [6-8].
The possibility of hybrid implementation of MPLS network
capabilities via SDN controller is a hot topic in the
978-1-7281-0053-1/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE
Mykola Beshley
Department of telecommunications
Lviv Polytechnic National University
UKRAINE, Lviv, 12 Bandery Str.
E-mail: beshlebmi@gmail.com
Marian Seliuchenko
Department of telecommunications
Lviv Polytechnic National University
UKRAINE, Lviv, 12 Bandery Str.
E-mail: m.seliuchenko@gmail.com
telecommunications sector nowadays [9-12]. The combination
of MPLS data forwarding capabilities with SDN’s
orchestration capabilities has been suggested to bring multiple
advantages [13-15] that could help the network operators to
quickly adapt to the emerging service trends and take full
advantage of the technological improvements.
In order to ensure the best use of network capabilities, we
need to know its state at every stage of operation. This is
possible only with centralized management. This is done by a
centralized controller that receives information from the
network elements about their current state, has a current
network topology and is able to build and manage active data
sessions [16-18]. In turn, the way of data transfer is also
important. To ensure multi-protocols, quality assurance,
resource allocation, decision-making and ease of use, we use
the MPLS technology as a basis. This technology is based on
extra labels, based on which packet routing decisions are made.
One of the disadvantages of this technology is that it was
not possible to divide the control level and the data level. So all
service information is transmitted along with the usual data.
This, in turn, creates delays in responding to network changes,
redundancy, and increased time to build new tunnels [19-21].
Therefore, it is proposed to combine these two approaches.
II. IMPLEMENTATION OF SOFTWARE-DEFINED
CONTROLLER IN A MULTI-PROTOCOL LABEL SWITCHING
(MPLS) NETWORK
A. Proposed MPLS Architecture
MPLS technology has a number of protocols for managing
labels and the process of distributing packages [22]. However,
they have shortcomings. They need manual tuning. They
slowly react to the network topology changes. They require
redundant information saving and distribution through the
network. At the same time the ability to managing active
sessions and rebuilding active paths according to the actual
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situation in the network (topology changes, network elements
failing, network segments loading, providing the best QoS) are
poorly implemented. As a result, management and efficient use
of network resources are poorly implemented.
To solve these problems, it is suggested that we can move
the label management from the network routers to the network
controller. To the network segment with MPLS (Fig.1) let's add
a centralized controller (fig. 2). For best performance, it must
have service channels with all the control elements of the
network. In this case, the controller will work with sufficient
information for effective management. This approach will
provide us separation of control level and data level.
A LRE
LSR
Fig. 1.
Controller
A LRE
LSR
Fig. 2. MPLS network with controller
It gives us some benefits:
• Speed of distribution of labels through the
network by service channels;
• Based on the service data (metrics) received by
the controller from the network elements, we
know the current topology of the network, so we
can quickly respond to its change;
• Based on the metrics, we take into account the
network load when constructing new routes and
rebuilding existing ones;
• Handle packets with necessary QoS and QoE .
The network controller, using received service's data
(channel load metrics, network topology, etc.) constantly
monitors the relevance of the built paths. In this case, we will
The proposed approach enables better monitoring and
diagnostics. We have an overall view of the network
performance and allows dynamic reconfiguration of network
devices in order to meet changing demand or user
requirements. In the case of MPLS this can allow the creation
of the LSP mesh and the optimization of the LSPs to be
implemented as software modules in the controller, which runs
in the background without interfering with the network
operation.
LRE
B
LSR
MPLS network
LRE
B
LSR
be able to correct only the necessary paths by updating the
routing tables (by labels) only on those routers through which
the data paths pass and do not load unused elements.
To ensure QoS it is suggested to use labels. Since packets
can have multiple labels (a stack of labels is formed), we can
use them to mark the priorities of packages of different
services.
In this way, we can also use the possibility of adjusting
priorities by QoE. A large number of subscribers is serviced by
the network, however, the requirements for the quality of
services and stack of the services they use are different.
Therefore, it should be considered for the priority to use this
correction.
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B. Comparison of a MPLS Network Connection Time with Let's accept that:
the MPLS Technology That Use the Controller t =t +t (1)
ex label packet
MPLS technology [22] has a number of protocols for
managing labels and the process of distributing packages. Using (1):
However, they have shortcomings. They need manual tuning.
They slowly react to the network topology changes. Let's Δ t = 2 ⋅ ∑ i =1 t + 2 ⋅ ∑ i =1 t + ∑ i =1 t
N −1 N −1 N −1 (2)
t ex r
compare the process of establishing a network connection with
the usual MPLS (fig. 3) and using the controller (fig. 4). Let's In the case of centralized control (fig. 4), the connection
find the time to establish a connection for a network without a process is as follows: LER refers to the Controller. This
controller. Figure 3 shows the packet’s transfer process. To do controller analyzes the required resources. If there are enough
this, we will find the packages distribution time t , label's free resources, they stand out. LSP channel is being built. Then
t the controller sends an updated label table to the required
changing time t , packet processing time t and LSRs. If resources are reserved - the controller sends a
label packet response with new channel label.
resource reservation time t .
r
LER LSR LSR LSR LER
tex
tt
tex
tt
tex
tt
tex
tt
tex
tt
tex
tt
tex
tt
tex
tt

Fig. 3. The process of installing a channel into MPLS

The delay consists of the time the packages are distributed Let's make a comparison. Suppose that
t , label changing time in the controller t , packet
t label t = 2 unit of time;
ex
processing time t , resource reservation time t and
packet r t = 1 unit of time;
r
updating LFIB tables time t . The packet processing time
table
t = 1 unit of time;
of the controller depends on its power. With increasing t
network requirements, the controller's power increases. = 3 unit of time;
Then, using (1): t
table

Δ t = 3 ⋅ t + ⋅2 ⋅ t + t + t (3) N = 10 (number of LSR in the tunnel).

t ex r table
Then, the time to set up a channel in a network without a
LER Controller controller, using formula (2) is:
Δt1 = 2 ⋅ 9 ⋅1 + ⋅2 ⋅ 9 ⋅ 2 + 2 ⋅ 9 ⋅ 1 = 72 [unit of time] (4)
tex
tt new Using the same data we will find a delay for the network
LSR N
LFIB using the controller. From formula (3):
tex tt
tt Δt 2 = 3 ⋅1 + ⋅2 ⋅ 2 + 1 + 3 = 11 [unit of time] (5)
LSR 2
LSR 1 The results are compared in fig. 5

Fig. 4. The process of installing a channel in MPLS using the controller

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Fig. 5. Connection time
The next possible stage of improvement is using of neural
networks to control paths. Since the controller knows the
network topology and its load capacity, we can take this
information for the basis of the neural network. The network
topology does not change very often, therefore, we can use the
network learning process and in the future use prior experience.
This will increase the speed of the route for the new service
and ensure its effectiveness - this route will be one of the best
that the network can offer at the moment.
III. CONCLUSION
We determined the need of new network architectures
creation that can successful cope with traffic growth and to
ensure QoS. Based on considered materials, a new method for
constructing an MPLS network with a centralized controller is
proposed. This controller will be responsible for constructing
and maintaining existing paths, using up-to-date information
about the network topology and load capacity of its segments.
Since the controller is aware of the current state of the entire
network and its topology, we will be able to use the available
resources as efficiently as possible and, if necessary, to provide
the necessary QoS level, redirect the channels from overloaded
areas. This network ensure traffic engineering capabilities,
which enables more efficient use of the channel capacity and
supports Quality of Service (QoS). MPLS reduces core
network device processing requirements since they simply
forward packets based on labels. As result, increasing the
performance of the network. Analyzed the time for
constructing a new channel for the usual MPLS network and
using a centralized controller. The results are shown on the
graph. The effectiveness of MPLS and MPLS with controller
technologies by the network’s time delay in the process of
packets transmit is estimated.
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