What is zMPLS?

zMPLS is an open source software distributed under GNU GPL v2 that provides an integrated suite of
MPLS Control Plane Protocols and the MPLS Forwarding Engine Capabilities in Linux Kernel. The project
was launched in 2002 with the aim to provide a platform for experimenting, improving and developing
new ideas in the areas of MPLS/GMPLS, TE, PWE3 and L2VPN (VPLS). We look forward to make Linux
machine a complete MPLS capable Router.

Keep checking this site for more updates!!

Overview

At present zMPLS suite is built upon the framework provided by GNU Zebra project. The zMPLS suite
reuses some generic libraries provided by Zebra and interworks with the routing daemons (ripd, ospfd,
bgpd etc) of Zebra. Visit the roadmap page for future architecture of zMPLS.

zMPLS comprises of the following components :

zmpls

This module is an extension of zebrad from Zebra project. It is a central entity that receives the MPLS
LSP information from the control plane daemons (ldp, rsvp-te) and installs the LSPs into the MPLS
Forwarder in Linux Kernel. zmpls functions as the MPLS Contoller for the complete suite. It is also the
central entity that interacts with the Routing Protocols (ospf, bgp, rip) and updates kernel FIB with
routing information. It supports the industry standard Command Line Interface for configuration.

For design and specification of zmpls visit this link.

ldpd

This is the MPLS control plane daemon for LDP/CR-LDP protocol. ldpd doesn't interact with the MPLS
Forwarder in kernel, rather provides LSP information to zmpls which finally installs the LSPs into the
Forwarder. ldpd supports industry standard Command Line Configuration for LDP.

For design and specification of ldpd visit this link.
  
rsvpd

This is the MPLS Control plane daemon for RSVP-TE protocol. Like ldpd this deamon interacts with 
zmpls for installing the MPLS LSPs into the MPLS Forwarder in Kernel. rsvpd supports industry standard
Command Line Configuration for RSVP-TE.

For design and specification of rsvpd visit this link.

MPLS Forwarding Engine

This is the kernel patch that does FEC classification and forwards the labeled packets for installed LSPs.
It supports best effort LSPs as well as Diffserv Capable TE-LSPs.

For design and specification of the Forwarding Engine visit the link.