RE: MPLS OAM & the IETF

[Shahram Davari <Shahram_Davari@pmc-sierra.com>]

Giles,

> Agreed.
> 
> I'm not sure which of Scott's options this corresponds to, though!  I 
> don't want to see the IETF working on MPLS OAM as per option 2, but 
> option 1 seems to be a step down the road of allowing the ITU to 
> "co-own" MPLS?
> 

It seems that developing non-IP OAM tools for MPLS is not in the spirit of IETF. However, it seems that many operators want functions more than ping and trace-route for their MPLS networks that are used to carry their legacy traffic.

Y.1711 and future ITU recommendations would possibly use MPLS data-plane to carry the MPLS OAM packets, but that doesn't mean that ITU will co-own the MPLS. Everybody knows that the MPLS data-plane as well as MPLS IP-based control-plane and MPLS IP-based management-plane are owned by IETF.

Besides any need by ITU for extensions to IETF standards will formally go through IETF channels, and therefore be under IETF control.

Therefore I think if there is a clear delineation of work and procedures for the cooperation, then most of your concerns could be addressed.

Yours,
-Shahram