ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the emerging methods and protocols for transport of voice over Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication (ITU-T) protocols and
mechanisms implement packet-based voice over the Internet. Voice over IP (VoIP) deployment has experienced exponential growth over the last four years and this pace of growth is expected to continue in the future. As MPLS provides effective Traffi c Engineering (TE) and quality of service (QoS) mechanisms, it is the natural choice for carriers who wish to offer their customers toll-quality voice services. MPLS confi gures Label Switched Paths (LSPs) through the access and core networks and LSPs so that voice can be tagged with stringent service requirements to prioritize traffi c. We look at the protocols and standards that deal with the voice deployment over MPLS networks, and the challenges and solutions that are being developed.
