MPLS MTU Command Changes

If you have configuration files with MPLS MTU values that are larger than the interface MTU values and you upgrade to Cisco IOS Release 12.2(27)SBC, 12.2(33)SRA, 12.4(11)T, 12.2(33)SXH, or later releases, the software does not change the MPLS MTU value. When you reboot the router, the software accepts the values that are set for the MPLS MTU and the interface MTU. The following error message is displayed during system initialization:

Setting the mpls mtu to xxxx on interface x/x, which is higher than the interface MTU xxxx. This could lead to packet forwarding problems including packet drops. 
You must set the MPLS MTU values equal to or lower than the interface MTU values.

Caution

If you do not set the MPLS MTU less than or equal to the interface MTU, data corruption, dropped packets, and high CPU conditions can occur.

When configuring the network to use MPLS, set the core-facing interface MTU values greater than the edge-facing interface MTU values using one of the following methods:

• Set the interface MTU values on the core-facing interfaces to a higher value than the interface MTU values on the customer-facing interfaces to accommodate any packet labels, such as MPLS labels, that an interface might encounter. Make sure that the interface MTUs on the remote end interfaces have the same interface MTU values. The interface MTU values on both ends of the link must match.
• Set the interface MTU values on the customer-facing interfaces to a lower value than the interface MTU on the core-facing interfaces to accommodate any packet labels, such as MPLS labels, that an interface might encounter. When you set the interface MTU on the edge interfaces, ensure that the interface MTUs on the remote end interfaces have the same values. The interface MTU values on both ends of the link must match.

Changing the interface MTU can also modify the IP MTU, Connectionless Network Service (CLNS) MTU, and other MTU values because they depend on the value of the interface MTU. The Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol requires that the IP MTU values match on both ends of the link. Similarly, the Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) routing protocol requires that the CLNS MTU values match on both ends of the link. If the values on both ends of the link do not match, IS-IS or OSPF cannot complete initialization.

If the configuration of the adjacent router does not include the mplsmtuand mtu commands, add these commands to the router.

Note	The MPLS MTU setting is displayed only in the show running-config output if the MPLS MTU value is different from the interface MTU value. If the values match, only the interface MTU value is displayed.

If you attempt to set the MPLS MTU value higher than the interface MTU value, the software displays the following error message, which prompts you to set the interface MTU to a higher value before you set the MPLS MTU value:

% Please increase interface mtu to xxxx and then set mpls mtu

Note

In Cisco IOS Release 15.1(2)S, the mplsmtu command was modified. This command was made available in L3VPN encapsulation configuration mode. The maximum keyword was replaced with the max keyword. The override keyword and the bytes argument were removed from the GRE tunnel interface. To set MPLS MTU to the maximum MTU on L3VPN profiles, use the mplsmtu command in L3VPN encapsulation configuration mode.

If you have an interface with a default interface MTU value of 1580 or less (such as an Ethernet interface), the mplsmtu command provides an overridekeyword, which allows you to set the MPLS MTU to a value higher than the interface MTU value. The override keyword is not available for interface types that do not have a default interface MTU value of 1580 or less. For configuration details, see the Setting the MPLS MTU Value on an Ethernet Interface.

Setting the MPLS MTU value higher than the Ethernet interface MTU value can lead to dropped packets, data corruption, or high CPU rates. When you set the MPLS MTU value higher than the Ethernet interface MTU value, the software displays the following message:

%MFI-30-MPLS_MTU_SET: Setting the mpls mtu to xxxx on Ethernet x/x, which is higher than the interface MTU xxxx. This could lead to packet forwarding problems including packet drops. 
Most drivers will be able to support baby giants and will gracefully drop packets that are too large. Certain drivers will have packet forwarding problems including data corruption. 
Setting the mpls mtu higher than the interface mtu can lead to packet forwarding problems and may be blocked in a future release. 

Note	Theoverride keyword is supported in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(27)SBC, 12.2(33)SRA, 12.4(11)T, 12.2(33)SXH, and later releases, but may not be supported in a future release.

Use the following steps to set the interface MTU and the MPLS MTU.

Note	In Cisco IOS Release 15.0(1)M1, you can configure the interface MTU on PA-1FE and PA-2FE port adapters. The range of values is from 1500 to 1530. Before this enhancement, the MTU of those interfaces was not configurable.

1.    enable

2.    configure terminal

3.    interface type slot / port

4.    mtu bytes

5.    mpls mtu bytes

6.    end

1.    enable

2.    configure terminal

3.    interface type slot / port

4.    mpls mtu override bytes

5.    end

1.    enable

2.    configure terminal

3.    l3vpn encapsulation ip profile

4.    mpls mtu max

5.    end