Constraint-based Routing Label Distribution Protocol


Constraint-based Routing Label Distribution Protocol is a control protocol used in some computer networks.
As of February 2003, the IETF MPLS working group deprecated CR-LDP and decided to focus purely on RSVP-TE.
It is an extension of the Label Distribution Protocol, one of the protocols in the Multiprotocol Label Switching architecture. CR-LDP contains extensions for LDP to extend its capabilities such as setup paths beyond what is available for the routing protocol. For instance, a Label Switched Path can be set up based on explicit route constraints, quality of service constraints, and other constraints. Constraint-based routing is a mechanism used to meet traffic engineering requirements. These requirements are met by extending LDP for support of constraint-based routed label switched paths. Other uses for CR-LSPs include MPLS-based virtual private networks.
CR-LDP is almost same as basic LDP, in packet structure, but it contains some extra TLVs which basically set up the constraint-based LSP.