MPLS Static Labeling
The MPLS static feature enables you to statically assign local labels to an IPv4 prefix. Also, Label Switched Paths (LSPs) can be provisioned for these static labels by specifying the next-hop information that is required to forward the packets containing static label.
If there is any discrepancy between labels assigned statically and dynamically, the router issues a warning message in the console log. By means of this warning message, the discrepancy can be identified and resolved.
- Improve security because the risk of receiving unwanted labels from peers (running a compromised MPLS dynamic labeling protocol) is reduced.
- Gives users full control over defined LSPs.
- Utilize system resources optimally because dynamic labeling is not processed.
- Static labeling on IPv6 packets is supported.
Restrictions
- The router does not prevent label discrepancy at the time of configuring static labels. Any generated discrepancy needs to be subsequently cleared.
- Equal-cost multi-path routing (ECMP) is not supported.
- Interfaces must be explicitly configured to handle traffic with static MPLS labels.
- The MPLS per-VRF labels cannot be shared between MPLS static and other applications.
Define Label Range and Enable MPLS Encapsulation
By default, MPLS encapsulation is disabled on all interfaces. MPLS encapsulation has to be explicitly enabled on all ingress and egress MPLS interfaces through which the static MPLS labeled traffic travels.
Also, the dynamic label range needs to be defined. Any label that falls outside this dynamic range is available for manually allocating as static labels. The router does not verify statically-configured labels against the specified label range. Therefore, to prevent label discrepancy, ensure that you do not configure static MPLS labels that fall within the dynamic label range.
![]() Note |
For Cisco IOS XR software release 7.5.2 onwards, MPLS static supports 200G Ethernet. |
Configuration Example
-
Define a dynamic label range, which in this task is set between 17000 and 18000.
-
Enable MPLS encapsulation on the required interface.
-
Setup a static MPLS LSP for a specific ingress label 24035.
-
Specify the forwarding information so that for packets that are received with the label, 24035, the MPLS protocol swaps labels and applies the label, 24036. After applying the new label, it forwards the packets to the next hop, 10.2.2.2, through the specified interface.
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config)#mpls label range table 0 17000 18000
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config)#commit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config)#mpls static
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-mpls-static)# interface HundredGigE 0/0/0/3
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-mpls-static)#address-family ipv4 unicast
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-mpls-static-af)#local-label 24035 allocate
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-mpls-static-af-lbl)#forward
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-mpls-static-af-lbl-fwd)#
path 1 nexthop HundredGigE 0/0/0/1 10.2.2.2 out-label 24036
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-mpls-static-af-lbl-fwd)# commit
Verification
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show mpls interfaces
Mon May 12 06:21:30.937 DST
Interface LDP Tunnel Static Enabled
-------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
TenGigE0/0/0/5 No No Yes Yes
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router#show mpls static local-label all
Tue Apr 22 18:21:55.764 UTC
Label VRF Type Prefix RW Configured Status
------- --------------- ------------ ---------------- --------------- --------
24035 default X-Connect NA Yes Created
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router#show mpls label range
Mon Apr 28 19:56:00.596 IST
Range for dynamic labels: Min/Max: 17000/18000
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router#show mpls lsd forwarding
Wed Nov 25 21:40:57.918 UTC
In_Label, (ID), Path_Info: <Type>
24035, (Static), 1 Paths
1/1: IPv4, 'default':4U, BE1.2, nh=10.20.3.1, lbl=35001, flags=0x0, ext_flags=0x0
Associated Commands
-
mpls static
-
mpls label range
-
show mpls interfaces
Identify and Clear Label Discrepancy
During configuring or de-configuring static labels or a label range, a label discrepancy can get generated when:
- A static label is configured for an IP prefix that already has a binding with a dynamic label.
- A static label is configured for an IP prefix, when the same label value is dynamically allocated to another IP prefix.
Verification
Identify label discrepancy by using these show commands.
Router#show mpls static local-label discrepancy
Tue Apr 22 18:36:31.614 UTC
Label VRF Type Prefix RW Configured Status
------- --------------- ------------ ---------------- --------------- --------
24000 default X-Connect NA Yes Discrepancy
Router#show mpls static local-label all
Tue Apr 22 18:36:31.614 UTC
Label VRF Type Prefix RW Configured Status
------- --------------- ------------ ---------------- --------------- --------
24000 default X-Connect N/A Yes Discrepancy
24035 default X-Connect N/A Yes Created
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router#show log
Thu Apr 24 14:18:57.655 UTC
Syslog logging: enabled (0 messages dropped, 0 flushes, 0 overruns)
Console logging: level warnings, 199 messages logged
Monitor logging: level debugging, 0 messages logged
Trap logging: level informational, 0 messages logged
Buffer logging: level debugging, 2 messages logged
Log Buffer (307200 bytes):
RP/0/RSP0/CPU0:Apr 24 14:18:53.743 : mpls_static[1043]: %ROUTING-MPLS_STATIC-7-ERR_STATIC_LABEL_DISCREPANCY :
The system detected 1 label discrepancies (static label could not be allocated due to conflict with other applications).
Please use 'clear mpls static local-label discrepancy' to fix this issue.
RP/0/RSP0/CPU0:Apr 24 14:18:53.937 : config[65762]: %MGBL-CONFIG-6-DB_COMMIT : Configuration committed by user 'cisco'.
Use 'show configuration commit changes 1000000020' to view the changes.
Rectification
Label discrepancy is cleared by allocating a new label to those IP prefixes that are allocated dynamic label. The static label configuration takes precedence while clearing discrepancy. Clearing label discrepancy may result in traffic loss for the dynamic label which got cleared.
Router# clear mpls static local-label discrepancy all
Verify that the discrepancy is cleared.
Router# show mpls static local-label all
Wed Nov 25 21:45:50.368 UTC
Label VRF Type Prefix RW Configured Status
------- --------------- ------------ ---------------- --------------- --------
24000 default X-Connect N/A Yes Created
24035 default X-Connect N/A Yes Created
Associated Commands
-
show mpls static local-label discrepancy
-
clear mpls static local-label discrepancy all
Configuring MPLS Static Labels for IPv6 Prefixes
MPLS static LSPs are created by assigning static labels to incoming IPv4/IPv6 prefixes and then specifying the next hop address for the packets with statically assigned labels. Packets are forwarded in the LSP based on this information. Effective with Cisco IOS-XR 6.2.2, you can assign static labels to IPv6 prefixes and set the next hop address in the static LSP as an IPv6 address. To configure static labels for IPv6 prefixes, you first need to configure named static LSPs and perform the remaining steps under LSP configuration mode.
Configuration Example
This example shows how to assign a static label to an IPv6 prefix and also configures an IPv6 address as the next hop.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp ipv6-1
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 25000 allocate per-prefix 2001:DB8:0:1:: /64
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop TenGigabitEthernet0/0/0/0 2001:DB8:0:5::64 out-label pop
Verification
The following examples show how to verify MPLS static labels for IPv6 prefixes.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# show mpls forwarding
Wed March 29 12:42:41.290 IST
Local Outgoing Prefix Outgoing Next Hop Bytes
Label Label or ID Interface Switched
------ ----------- ------------------ ------------ --------------- ------------
25000 Pop 2001:DB8:0:1:: /64 TenGigE0/0/0/0 2001:DB8:0:5::64 0
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# show mpls static lsp ipv6-1 detail
Wed March 29 12:45:55.574 IST
LSP Name Label VRF AFI Type Prefix RW Configured Status
-------- ------- ------- ---- ---------- ---------------- --------------- --------
ipv6-1 25000 default IPv6 Per-Prefix 2001:DB8:0:1:: /64 Yes Created
PRIMARY-PATHS:
PATH 1 : next-hop TenGigE0/0/0/0 2001:DB8:0:5::64 out-label POP
STATUS: VALID
Configuring Backup within a Forwarding Set
-
Pure FRR Backup
-
Reciprocal FRR backup
-
One-way FRR backup
In pure FRR backup, there will be separate primary paths and backup paths. In reciprocal FRR backup, each path can act as both primary and backup. In one-way FRR backup, some paths act as both primary and backup while other paths may be just primary paths or backup paths.
Configuration Example: Pure FRR Backup
This example shows how to configure pure FRR backup with in a forwarding path set.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp lsp1
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 25000 allocate
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/0 10.1.0.1 out-label 25000 backup-id 2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 2 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/1 10.1.0.3 out-label 25001 backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# exit
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# path 1 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/5 10.5.0.1 out-label pop backup-id 2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# path 2 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/6 10.6.0.2 out-label pop backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# exit
The following table describes the forwarding behavior for pure FRR backup. Here P1-F and P2-F are the forwarding paths and P1-B and P2-B are the backup paths.
Action |
Transient State |
Interface Steady State |
Forward Steady State |
---|---|---|---|
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
P1-F Down |
P1-F FRR to P2-F |
|
|
P2-F Down |
P2-F FRR to P1-B |
|
|
P1-B Down |
P1-B FRR to P2-B |
|
|
Configuration Example: Reciprocal FRR Backup
This example shows how to configure reciprocal FRR backup with in a forwarding path set.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp lsp1
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 25000 allocate
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/0 10.1.0.1 out-label 25000 primary-and-backup backup-id 2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 2 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/1 10.1.0.3 out-label 25001 primary-and-backup backup-id 1
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# exit
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# path 1 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/5 10.5.0.1 out-label pop primary-and-backup backup-id 2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# path 2 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/6 10.6.0.2 out-label pop primary-and-backup backup-id 1
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# exit
The following table describes the forwarding behavior for reciprocal FRR backup.
Action |
Transient State |
Interface Steady State |
Forward Steady State |
---|---|---|---|
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
P2-F Down |
P2-F FRR to P1-F |
|
|
P1-F Down |
P1-F FRR to P1-B |
|
|
P2-B Down |
P2-B FRR to P1-B |
|
|
Configuration Example: One-way FRR Backup
This example shows how to configure one-way FRR backup with in a forwarding path set.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp lsp1
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 25000 allocate
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/0 10.1.0.1 out-label 25000 backup-id 2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 2 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/1 10.1.0.3 out-label 25001 primary-and-backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# exit
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# path 1 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/5 10.5.0.1 out-label pop backup-id 2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# path 2 nexthop GigabitEthernet0/0/0/6 10.6.0.2 out-label pop primary-and-backup
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-backup)# exit
The following table describes the forwarding behavior for one-way FRR backup.
Action |
Transient State |
Interface Steady State |
Forward Steady State |
---|---|---|---|
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
P2-F Down |
P2-F NO-FRR to P1-F |
|
|
P1-F Down |
P1-F FRR to P1-B |
|
|
P1-B Down |
P1-B FRR to P2-B |
|
|
Configuring Static LSP Next Hop Resolve
You can specify the outgoing next hop instead of explicitly specifying the outgoing path while configuring static LSPs. This next hop is resolved using the routing information base (RIB) which provides a list of paths to auto-configure. While specifying the next hop for the incoming label in a static LSP, you can specify the next hop address with out the interface using the resolve-nexthop command.
-
Only supports a single next hop address which may resolve to multiple paths.
-
Non-default VRFs are not supported.
-
In Cisco IOS-XR 6.2.2, only host routes can be resolved. Host routes are routes with /32 mask for IPv4 addresses and /128 mask for IPv6 addresses.
Configuration Example
This example shows how to configure the static LSP next hop without specifying the interface using the resolve-nexthop command.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp ipv6-2
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 25000 allocate per-prefix 2001:DB8:0:1:: /64 or 24:24:1::/64
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 resolve-nexthop 2001:DB8:0:2::64 out-label pop
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# exit
Configuring Static LSP Next Hop Resolve with Recursive Prefix
When a routing table entry references to another IP address and not to a directly connected exit interface, the next-hop IP address is resolved using another route with an exit interface. This is known as a recursive look up because multiple lookups are required to resolve the next-hop IP address. Static LSP next hop resolve with recursive prefix feature supports resolution of recursive routes for static LSPs. In this feature, you can specify a next hop which is not directly connected using the resolve-nexthop command for a static LSP.
Restrictions
The following restrictions apply for this feature:
-
Only eBGP routes are supported.
Configuration Example
This example shows how to configure the static LSP next hop resolve with recursive prefix. Here 192.168.2.1 is a recursive route learnt through eBGP.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp anycast_5001
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 5001 allocate
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 resolve-nexthop 192.168.2.1 out-label pop
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# exit
Verification
This example shows how to verify the static LSP next hop resolve with recursive prefix configuration.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# show mpls static lsp anycast_5001 detail
Tue Sep 12 20:00:09.248 UTC
LSP Name Label VRF AFI Type Prefix RW Configured Status
-------------------- ------- --------------- ---- ------------ ---------------- --------------- --------
anycast_5001 5001 default N/A X-Connect N/A Yes Created
PRIMARY SET:
[resolve-mode: nexthop 192.168.2.1]
Path 0 : nexthop BVI1 10.1.1.3, out-label Pop, Role: primary, Path-id: 0, Status: valid
Path 1 : nexthop BVI1 10.1.1.4, out-label Pop, Role: primary, Path-id: 0, Status: valid
Path 2 : nexthop BVI1 10.1.1.5, out-label Pop, Role: primary, Path-id: 0, Status: valid
Path 3 : nexthop BVI1 10.1.1.6, out-label Pop, Role: primary, Path-id: 0, Status: valid
Configuring MPLS Static over BVI
A Bridge-group virtual interface (BVI) is a routed interface that represents a set of interfaces that gets bridged. By using BVI, you can convert multiple interfaces as members of a common broadcast domain. MPLS static over BVI feature allows you to specify a BVI interface as next hop while setting up a static LSP.
Only static MPLS tunnels can use BVI as a next hop. Also, a BVI next hop can be a static route, a directly connected route (IP address, not a subnet prefix), or a route resolved through BGP or IGP. The router will do an MPLS label lookup on incoming MPLS traffic, perform a label operation such as SWAP/PHP/POP, and forward the MPLS/IP traffic through the BVI next hop. The router can perform switching for Layer 2 traffic and routing for incoming Layer 3 MPLS traffic.
Restrictions
-
If a BVI has multiple peers within a subnet, then the subnet prefix cannot be specified as the next hop IP address (though IP addresses within the subnet are BVI peers). You have to specify one of the peers (with a specific IP address) as the next hop.
-
Back up paths over BVI (IPv4 or IPv6) are not supported.
-
Fast Reroute (FRR) is not supported.
-
Dynamic MPLS configuration is not supported. For example, label distribution using LDP is not supported.
Configuration Example
This example shows how to configure a BVI interface as next hop for a static LSP.
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router# configure terminal
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config)# mpls static
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# interface TenGig 0/0/0/0
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static)# lsp bvi
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 5001 allocate
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop BVI1 192.168.2.1 out-label pop
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop BVI1 192.168.2.1 out-label 4444
RP/0/0/CPU0:Router(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# exit
MPLS Over Single-Pass GRE Tunnels
This feature supports MPLS static forwarding over a single-pass GRE tunnel at line rate. One use case is of a Provider router sending incoming customer traffic over the GRE tunnel, addressed to an anycast virtual IP address (VIP) destination shared by a set of load balancing servers.
![](/c/dam/en/us/td/i/400001-500000/450001-460000/450001-451000/450369.jpg)
In the image, you can see that the GRE tunnel begins at R1. R1 checks ACL configurations, adds an MPLS label to the incoming packet, and then adds a GRE header. Then it sends the traffic towards R2.
R2 uses the PBR process for GRE tunnel decapsulation, and based on the MPLS label, it forwards the traffic towards its destination.
Configuration Example
This example shows how to enable MPLS static forwarding over a single-pass GRE tunnel at line rate.
GRE Tunnel Configuration on R1
The single-pass GRE tunnel starts on R1.
R1# configure
R1(config)# interface tunnel-ip1
R1(config-if)# ipv4 address 112.0.0.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)# tunnel mode gre ipv4 encap
R1(config-if)# tunnel source TenGigE0/0/0/2
R1(config-if)# tunnel destination 50.0.0.1
R1(config-if)# commit
GRE tunnel destination address is an anycast address. GRE encapsulation must be based on an ACL or a policy-map, or both. A destination can be an individual address or a /28 prefix.
MPLS Static Configuration on R1
R1# configure
R1(config)# router static
R1(config-static)# address-family ipv4 unicast
R1(config-static-afi)# 111.0.0.1/32 tunnel-ip1
R1(config-static-afi)# commit
R1(config)# mpls static
R1(config-mpls-static)# lsp test
R1(config-mpls-static-lsp)# in-label 10000 allocate per-prefix 111.0.0.1/32
R1(config-mpls-static-lsp)# forward
R1(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# path 1 nexthop tunnel-ip1 out-label 12000
R1(config-mpls-static-lsp-fwd)# commit
GRE Tunnel Configuration on R2
The single-pass GRE tunnel terminates on R2.
R2 # configure
R2(config)# interface tunnel-ip1
R2(config-if)# ipv4 address 112.0.0.2 255.255.255.0
R2(config-if)# tunnel mode gre ipv4 decap
R2(config-if)# tunnel source TenGigE0/0/0/2
R2(config-if)# tunnel destination 10.0.0.1
R2(config-if)# commit
Verification
Tunnel-IP configuration on R1
R1# show running-config interface tunnel-ip 1
interface tunnel-ip1
ipv4 address 112.0.0.1 255.255.255.0
tunnel mode gre ipv4 encap
tunnel source TenGigE0/0/0/2
tunnel destination 50.0.0.1
!
MPLS Static Configuration on R1
R1# show running-config router static
router static
address-family ipv4 unicast
111.0.0.1/32 tunnel-ip1
!
!
R1# show running-config mpls static
mpls static
lsp test
in-label 1000 allocate per-prefix 111.0.0.1/32
forward
path 1 nexthop tunnel-ip1 out-label 12000
!
Tunnel-IP Configuration on R2
R2# show running-config int tunnel-ip 1
interface tunnel-ip1
ipv4 address 112.0.0.2 255.255.255.0
tunnel mode gre ipv4
tunnel source TenGigE0/0/0/2
tunnel destination 10.0.0.1
!
PBR Configuration for GRE Tunnel Decapsulation on R2
R2# show running-config class-map type traffic match-all
class-map type traffic match-all test_gre1
match protocol gre
match destination-address ipv4 50.0.0.1 255.255.255.255
match source-address ipv4 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.255
end-class-map
!
policy-map type pbr P1-test
class type traffic test_gre1
decapsulate gre
!
class type traffic class-default
!
end-policy-map
!
vrf-policy
vrf default address-family ipv4 policy type pbr input P1-test
!