An optimal zero-queue rate control protocol for generalized MPLS networks

The problem of rate allocation and congestion control for generalized label switched networks such as those defined in the generalized MPLS model (for example, pure optical networks) is considered. First, rates have to be allocated to each flow in the discrete domain of labels. Second, due to an inconsistent forwarding problem, that we call the label reallocation routing problem, rates (labels) have to be dynamically assigned in such a way that network feasibility is ensured at all times. In other words, the flow control protocol has to work in an equivalent scenario where switches do not have queues. The paper proves that such zero-queue protocols exist, and we propose the first zero-queue protocol for the dynamic rate allocation problem of generalized label switched networks. The approach can be generalized to support a broader family of flow control protocols. This implies that, with the methodology proposed, traditional flow control protocols can be extended to support the zero-queue property.