topic RE: MPLS FAT Label in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

MPLS FAT Label

Julian_Eble — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 20:56:00 GMT

Hello,

By reading this article http://packetpushers.net/fat-or-entropy-label/ I've been wondering if Extreme could implement something like that (FAT Label)?

Some l2vpn circuit are getting 10Gbps and the outer interfaces port channels aren't handling it well.

Thanks 

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Erik_Auerswald — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:31:00 GMT

Hi Julian,

have looked at the GTAC Knowledge article Incorrect load sharing on MPLS P-node?

Erik

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Henrique — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:40:00 GMT

There is another GTAC article that might help:

https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Q_A/Why-the-traffic-is-not-getting-load-balanced-...

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Julian_Eble — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:47:00 GMT

So, we've tried everything is possible to solve that, but none solved.
As the sharing only see one label carrying that huge traffic, it cannot load-balacing between the aggregates ports.
I think the only way to do that is by adding this on the mpls header (Entropy/Fat label).
https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6790

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Korsovsky__Kons — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:47:00 GMT

Hi Julian,
did you try to use "l2vpn sharing" feature?
Please check examples from discussion on a link below. It might help you to solve the problem.
https://community.extremenetworks.com/extreme/topics/load-balance-problem-using-vpls-as-transport

Keep in mind that that feature has some limitations:
https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Q_A/What-are-limitations-for-Pseudowire-Label-Swi...

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Julian_Eble — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:47:00 GMT

Hello Konstantin,

It's odd because I did the same thing in my lab and couldn't get the same result. What version did you use in that test enviroment?
Another thing, is that I'm waiting for xos0066476 to be solved, isn't save to use rsvp in the current working network.

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Korsovsky__Kons — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:47:00 GMT

When I started to test it I also failed and then I figured out that LSP sharing doesn't work with unknown unicast traffic:
https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Solution/Pseudowire-Label-Switch-Path-Load-Sharin...

So make sure that traffic which you trying to load-balance is bidirectional.

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Julian_Eble — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 22:47:00 GMT

Most of our traffic is one source/dest mac but has multiples source/dest IP unicast
some of these vpls has 15Gb.
Is there any problem of what kind of unicast traffic is? even if it's just one mac and lsp will do the balancing?
I'll give a new try to that in my lab..

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Henrique — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 23:03:00 GMT

Could you please share your network diagram and point where the balancing is not working as expected?

This will help us to have a better insight.

Thanks.

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Julian_Eble — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 23:03:00 GMT

Henrique,

The backbone isn't load balancing.

A ticket was answered by you informing that behaviour(Unifique).

Houve a resposta informando a impossibilidade e referente ao uso de dois labels.
Queria apenas discutir a possibilidade e se isso poderia ser feito da parte de entropia e adição de label para o hash.

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Henrique — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 23:03:00 GMT

Hi Julian, I'm not sure if there is a roadmap to have "The Use of Entropy Labels in MPLS Forwarding" implemented.

I will check internally and let you know.

RE: MPLS FAT Label

Henrique — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 23:03:00 GMT

Hi Julian, currently there is no roadmap to have that feature implemented. I will let you know fi anything changes during the next months.

RE: MPLS FAT Label

welisson — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 09:54:00 GMT

Hi Henrique.

Can you let me know whether would it be possible to do using x460(not x460-g2)?
I have a core with more than 4 of them, and I couldn't do that, I've been lost in find out some solution for my Extreme Network, otherwise I would have to replace those one.

tks

Re: MPLS FAT Label

philking309 — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:34:34 GMT

thanks for the information!

Re: MPLS FAT Label

philking309 — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:05:49 GMT

This thread dives into MPLS and the infamous “fat label” debate, and it’s a great example of how seemingly small technical choices spark long discussions among folks who really care about network design and performance — people debating forwarding behavior versus control plane assumptions gets surprisingly deep (community.extremenetworks.com). It’s a good reminder that in complex systems, simple defaults aren’t always the best fit, and clarity in tools matters. That idea actually carries over to everyday habits too: using a straightforward intermittent fasting tracker helps you focus on consistency instead of overcomplicating things. I’ve been using https://wellness-app.com/ and it’s refreshingly simple, which makes sticking with it way easier than some of the bloated alternatives.