Bandwidth Accounting and Call Admission Control Overview

Some network environments require that a certain level of service be guaranteed across the entire length of a path transiting a service provider's network. For Layer 2 circuits transiting an MPLS core network, a customer requirement might be to assure that guarantees for bandwidth and class of service (CoS) be maintained across the core network. For example, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) circuit can provide service guarantees for each traffic class. A Layer 2 circuit configured to transport that ATM circuit across the network could be expected to provide the same service guarantees.

Providing this type of service guarantee requires the following:

• The LSPs in the MPLS core network must be able to provide service guarantees for bandwidth, rerouting, and route failures. You accomplish these guarantees by configuring multiclass LSPs. For more information on multiclass LSPs, see the JUNOS MPLS Applications Configuration Guide.
• The service guarantee must be maintained across the entire length of the link as it transits the service provider's network. Different Layer 2 circuits could have different bandwidth requirements. However, many Layer 2 circuits could be transported over the same E-LSP in the MPLS core network.
• CAC ensures that the LSP has sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the Layer 2 circuit. If there is not enough bandwidth over a particular LSP, the Layer 2 circuit is prevented from using that LSP.