Explains how PCEP provides centralized path computation and policy control for SRv6 networks, including secure sessions, policy management, timers, and redundancy.
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP), a mechanism for centralized path computation and orchestration in Segment Routing networks.
It explains the roles of Path Computation Elements (PCEs) and Path Computation Clients (PCCs), detailing how they interact to request, compute, and manage Segment Routing over IPv6 Label Switched Paths (LSPs). The chapter also covers PCEP's benefits, session establishment guidelines, authentication methods, various timers for session stability, and the PCC-centric redundancy model for high availability.
Path computation element protocol
Explains how PCCs and PCEs use PCEP to compute, delegate, and manage SRv6 paths and provides guidance for configuring a head-end router as a PCC.
PCEP authentication
Describes how TCP MD5 and TCP-AO secure PCEP sessions and explains their validation behavior, replay protection, restrictions, and configuration.
PCEP-Related Timers
Explains how PCEP timers maintain sessions and control delegated, orphaned, and PCE-initiated SR policies and provides guidance for configuring their operating intervals.
PCC-Centric redundancy
Explains how PCC-centric redundancy transfers policy delegation between PCEs during failures and recovery and provides the configuration needed to control failover and failback.