The MPLS WG Archive

[Kireeti Kompella <kireeti@juniper.net>]

Hi,

> > (router determines the explicit routes). 
> 
> This point has been raised by several folks. It really confuses me. If the
> optical switches are equipped with path calculation ability, what's the benefit
> to bother router to determine the explicit routes within optical domain
> (assuming router can be smart enough to handle all optical network specific
> attributes and constrains) than just have routers to determine the end points of
> optical trails.

Why does this confuse you?  Routers may want to determine the exact
path that their LSPs take for a number of reasons, including TE and
protection.  If a router doesn't care where its LSPs are laid out,
it can install loose hops at the boundaries of the optical cloud.

Kireeti.