Fast reroute with segment routing white paper


Segment Routing (SR) is an emerging technology for IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks that enables source routing. Before SR was introduced, IP Fast Reroute and Loop-Free Alternates (LFAs) were not widely deployed. The level of coverage depended on the network topology, and LFA imposed requirements such as the dynamic setup and teardown of targeted Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) sessions. When SR and source routing are combined with Fast Reroute techniques such as LFA variants, Fast Reroute can deliver 100-percent network coverage regardless of the topology. In addition, traffic-engineering capabilities that were previously only possible with Resource Reservation Protocol - Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) can be offered without the associated scaling constraints. Delivering Fast Reroute without the complexity and constraints of RSVP-TE is appealing to service providers, particularly those that deliver services with stringent Service Level Agreements. This paper describes the delivery of Fast Reroute using SR and the enhancement of Fast Reroute coverage in LDP-based MPLS networks.