Cisco WAE Design 6.4 User Guide

Segment Routing Simulation

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By default, WAE Design creates and routes RSVP LSPs. However, you can create Segment Routing (SR) LSPs1 by changing the LSP Type property to SR. These SR LSPs use autoroute, forwarding adjacencies, and class-based forwarding, just like RSVP LSPs. It is once the packet enters the tunnel that the different routing mechanisms determine the path. An RSVP LSP is first established along a path, with each node on the path accepting the reservation request and maintaining the reservation state. In contrast, SR LSPs rely on a segment list that is created at the LSP’s source node (head-end). This segment list, which is stored in the packet (demand), directs the traffic over a series of configured node segments and interface segments. SR LSPs use IP routing (and thus, potentially ECMP) between segments.

SR LSP Segment Types

The segment list of an SR LSP contains one or more segment list hops, which can be nodes, interfaces, SR LSPs, and/or anycast groups.

To view a segment list, right-click the SR LSP’s source node to open the Properties dialog box, and then open the Segment tab. Alternatively, right-click an SR LSP and select Filter to Segment Lists. You can then right-click the segment list and select Filter to Segment List Hops, or double-click the segment list.

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Note The process of creating and optimizing segment lists and their segment list hops can be automated using the SR-TE Optimization tool. For information, see the SR-TE Optimization chapter. You can also create SR LSPs and their hops by optimizing bandwidth. For information, see the SR-TE Bandwidth Optimization chapter.

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Node Segment List Hops

When using node segment list hops, the SR LSP takes the shortest path to the specified node. Figure 12-1 shows an example SR LSP from cr2.kcy node to cr2.mia node using one node segment list hop, which is cr2.okc. Since the IGP metrics are equal, the traffic is routed using ECMP to reach okc.

Figure 12-1 Example Node Segment List Hop

Interface Segment List Hops

On routers, interfaces can only be used in segment lists if the previous segment list hop is the node containing the interface, or if the interface is the egress of the source node. In WAE Design, there is no restriction that an interface segment list hop be local. Meaning, there is no requirement that the segment list contain a preceding segment to the node containing the interface.

Figure 12-2 shows an example of an interface segment list hop from cr2.chi to cr2.wdc. To ensure the path reaches cr2.chi (the node the packet must reach to use this interface segment list hop), a node segment list hop is configured first to reach chi. This figure also shows how a demand through an SR LSP reroutes when a node fails. The demand uses IGP to route around the failure and back to the segment, if possible.

Figure 12-2 Example Interface Segment List Hop

LSP Segment List Hops

SR LSPs can use other SR LSPs as segment list hops, and in turn, these SR LSPs segment list hops can contain other SR LSPs as segment list hops. Only these two rules apply.

• The LSP segment list hop must be an SR LSP, not RSVP LSP.
• An LSP segment list hop cannot reference another SR LSP that directly or indirectly references it. For example, if the segment for SR LSP A contains SR LSP B as a segment list hop, then SR LSP B cannot contain SR LSP A as a segment list hop.

If a selected SR LSP contains an LSP segment list hop that contains yet another LSP segment list hop, only the top level LSP segment list hop is identified by the yellow diamond icon. The destination of an LSP segment list hop is not identified. For example, Figure 12-3 shows that LSP A (from er1.lax to er1.nyc) contains an LSP B segment list hop, whose source node is cr1.lax. By deselecting LSP A and then selecting LSP B, you see that LSP B also contains an LSP segment list hop, which is LSP C whose source node is cr1.atl.

Figure 12-3 Example LSP Segment List Hop

Anycast Group Segment List Hops

An SR LSP routes through the node in an anycast group segment list hop that has the shortest path to it. In case of a tie between multiple nodes in an anycast group, ECMP is applied. This mechanism enables you to impose routing restrictions in terms of potential intermediate segment destinations. It also enables the SR LSP to choose among the possible next hops (next segment list hops), potentially reducing latency and improving load balancing.

Figure 12-4 shows an example of anycast group nodes cr2.chi and cr1.chi. In one instance, the IGP metrics to those nodes have equal IGP metrics, so the SR LSP uses ECMP to route through both of them. When the IGP metric is increased from cr2.lax to cr1.chi, the SR LSP routes only through cr2.chi since it has the shortest path. However, as Figure 12-5 shows, if a failure prevents this shortest path from being used, the SR LSP can still route through the anycast group using the next-highest cost path.

 

 

 

Figure 12-4 Example Anycast Group Segment List Hop

 

Figure 12-5 Example Anycast Group Rerouteing Around Failure

SR LSP Paths

SR LSPs can have multiple LSP paths, where each LSP path has its own segment list. There is no distinction between standby and non-standby LSP paths for SR LSPs.

Note If both the SR LSP and its SR LSP paths have segments, the segments on the LSP paths override those on the SR LSP.

Figure 12-6 shows an SR LSP from kcy to mia that has a primary and a secondary path. The primary path is configured with a chi node segment list hop and chi-to-wdc interface segment list hop, and the secondary path is configured with a node segment list hop in okc. This can be seen by selecting the LSP paths individually from the LSP Paths table.

Figure 12-6 Example SR LSP Paths

SR LSP Routing

Assuming the common LSP mechanisms, such as autoroute and forwarding adjacencies have determined that a demand will enter an SR LSP, the LSP traffic is routed as follows. Note that if the destination node or any of the segment list hops are not reachable, the SR LSP is not established.

Note The process of creating final segment list hops can be automated using the Explicit LSP Paths initializer tool. For information, see the SR-TE Optimization chapter.

• If the SR LSP does not have a segment list, the demand is routed via IGP to the destination node.

If the SR LSP has a segment list, the demand is routed using the segment list hops within the segment list in the sequential order in which they appear.

• If it is using a node segment list hop, the demand takes the shortest path to that node.

If it is using an interface segment list hop, the demand takes the shortest path of the source node of that interface, and then routes to that interface’s destination node.

If it is using an anycast group segment list hop, the demand routes through the node with the shortest path. In case of a tie between multiple nodes in an anycast group, the SR LSP uses ECMP to route.

• If you select both a node and an anycast group containing that node when creating the segment list hop, the node segment has precedence.
• If the SR LSP contains LSP paths, then the demand is routed on the LSP path with the lowest path option for which the demand can be routed from source to destination. Demands for SR LSP paths route in the same manner as described above for SR LSPs.
• If the demand cannot be routed on the segments defined in the SR LSP or its LSP paths (for example, because of a failure in a node segment list hop), the demand is routed to the destination using the IGP shortest path.

Note that if a hop (nodes, interfaces, LSPs, or anycast groups) contains a segment ID (SID), the segment list hop inherits that SID. If necessary, you can edit this value in the object’s Properties dialog box.

Routing Inter-AS SR LSPs

SR LSPs with source and destination nodes in different AS’s can route provided the following hop configurations exist.

• There is a node segment list hop on the border of the AS that the LSP is exiting. This node is the exit node.
• One of these two hops exists.

– A node segment list hop exists on the first node traversed in another AS. This node is the entry node. If there are multiple peering interfaces, then their metrics determine which one the LSP uses.

– An interface segment list hop connects the exit node of one AS to an entry node in another AS.

Figure 12-7 shows an example of each of the above configurations. Both networks show two AS’s, and both show a node segment list hop on cr1.nyc, which is the node from which the LSP is exiting AS 1. The top half shows the cr1.lon node, the entry node to AS 2, as the next segment list hop. The lower half shows the cr1.nyc-to-cr1.lon interface, which connects the exit node in AS 1 to an entry node in AS 2, as the next segment list hop.

Without these conditions being met, SR LSPs cannot route across AS boundaries. For example, Figure 12-8 shows an SR LSP with the proper node segment list hop set on cr1.mia (exit node of AS 1), but it does not route since the next segment list hop (cr1.par) is not the first node in AS 2 that this LSP would traverse. By adding a node segment list hop on cr1.rom, the SR LSP can route across the AS’s.

Using demands with inter-AS SR LSPs requires that two conditions be met.

• The demand must be private to the SR LSP. For information on creating private LSPs, see the MPLS Simulation chapter.
• The demand must have the same source and destination as the SR LSP.

Figure 12-7 Segment List Hops Define Exit and Entry Points Across AS’s

Figure 12-8 Inter-AS SR LSP Routing Requires Correct AS Exit and Entry Hops

Demands with Segment Lists

Demands can have segment lists, which is a way to model external control of SR LSP routes. For instance, data centers often push a segment list on to the traffic before it enters the modeled network. This can be represented by defining demands to have initial segment lists, thus configuring external control of the SR routes.

The demand segment lists contain the same segment hop types as SR LSPs. One distinction is these LSP segment list hops can be either SR LSPs or RSVP LSPs. Using LSP segment list hops enables you to model tunnel mapping. Using LSP segment list hops, also enables external applications to choose route characteristics, such as latency and node avoidance.

Example: Figure 12-9 shows a demand without hops and how it is rerouted using an LSP segment list hop.

Figure 12-9 Demand Route without and with LSP Segment List Hop

Create SR LSPs and Their LSP Paths

SR LSPs and mesh SR LSPs are created the same way RSVP-TE LSPs are created. The difference is that you must set the Type property to SR. Once created, the next step is to either create the segment list or create LSP paths and their segment lists.

Likewise, LSP paths are created in the same way as RSVP-TE LSP paths. Since you are creating them from SR LSPs, the only editable properties are Path Option and Active.

For information on creating LSPs and LSP paths, see the MPLS Simulation chapter.

Create Segment Lists

Note You can create segment lists and destination segment lists hops automatically using the Explicit LSP Paths initializer. This initializer creates as few segment list node and interface hops as possible to route according to the options selected. The destination node of the LSP is added as the final segment list hop unless the final hop is a segment list interface hop that terminates on the destination node. For information, see the MPLS Simulation chapter.

Step 1 In the LSP Properties dialog box, LSP path Properties dialog box, or demand Properties dialog box, click the Segments tab. Add the segment list hops in the order in which they are to be followed.

• To add a new segment list hop, select an existing hop (if applicable), and then click either the Insert Before or Insert After button to determine where the new hop goes sequentially. Go to step 2.
• To edit an existing segment list hop, select it from the list and then select the Edit button. This opens the Edit Segment List dialog box. Go to step 2.
• To delete an existing segment list hop, select it from the list, select the Delete button, and then press OK. You need not continue.

Step 2 To continue creating or editing a segment, use the following options and then click OK in the Edit Segment List dialog box. As needed, select the site, node, interface, or anycast group.

Note Interface segment list hops must be the egress interface of a node segment list hop.

• If the node or source node (for interfaces and LSPs) is within a site, first select the site.
• For node segment list hops, do not select an interface.
• For interfaces and LSPs segment list hops, first select the source node.
• For anycast group segment list hops, do not select a site, node, or an interface.

Once the segment list is created, another way to manage segments is to click one from the Segments List Hops table. From there you can change the site, node, and interface, though you cannot change the sequence.

Create Anycast Groups

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Step 1 Follow one of these two steps to open the Anycast Group dialog box.

• Select the Insert->Anycast Group menu.
• Right-click in the plot and select New->Anycast Group from the context menu.

 

Step 2 Enter a unique name to identify the anycast group.

Step 3 For each node you want to include in or exclude from the anycast group, click the T (true) or F (false) check box, respectively. Then click OK.

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Related Topics

• Traffic Demand Modeling chapter
• MPLS Simulation chapter
• SR-TE Optimization chapter
• SR-TE Bandwidth Optimization chapter
• LSP Loadshare Optimization chapter