MPLS Label Distribution Modes

In an MPLS domain running LDP, a label is assigned to a destination prefix found in the FIB, and it is distributed to upstream neighbors in the MPLS domain after session establishment. The labels that are of local significance on the router are exchanged with adjacent LSRs during label distribution. Label binding of a specific prefix to a local label and a next-hop label (received from downstream LSR) is then stored in the LFIB and LIB structures. The label distribution methods used in MPLS are as follows:


Downstream on demand : -This mode of label distribution allows an LSR to explicitly request from its downstream next-hop router a label mapping to a particular destination prefix and is thus known as downstream on demand label distribution.


Unsolicited downstream : - This mode of label distribution allows an LSR to distribute bindings to upstream LSRs that have not explicitly requested them and is referred to as unsolicited downstream label distribution.


Depicts the two modes of label distribution between R1 (Edge LSR) and R2 (LSR). In the downstream-on-demand distribution process, LSR R2 requests a label for the destination 172.16.10.0. R1 replies with a label mapping of label 17 for 172.16.10.0. In the unsolicited downstream distribution process, R1 does not wait for a request for a label mapping for prefix 172.16.10.0 but sends the label mapping information to the upstream LSR R2