Technical Summary
BIER represents a novel forwarding paradigm resulting in a
replication-capable network underlay. The according header contains,
amongst other information, a bitstring in which each bit represents
exactly one egress router in the domain; to forward the packet to a
given set of egress routers, the bits corresponding to those routers
are set in the header. The details of the encapsulation depend on
the type of network used to realize the multicast domain. This document
specifies a BIER encapsulation that can be used in an MPLS network,
or with slight differences, in a non-MPLS network as well.
Working Group Summary
This document was processed by the BIER WG and underwent
extensive WG and MPLS WG last call review. Several other
proposals for non-MPLS encapsulation have been extended but
expired after this document covered the space in a more
uniform way. The document underwent
a well-attended face to face interim WG meeting.
Ultimate WG consensus was solid and the document has
been supported by representatives of all major vendors, multiple large
customers and a large custom silicon vendor.
Document Quality
Document underwent extensive number of revisions and
solid amount of convergence and discussion over a
period of three years. One major vendor confirmed
implementation. At least two other, major vendors
seem to be in the process without explicit confirmation.
Personnel
Document Shepherd: Tony Przygienda (prz@juniper.net)
Responsible Area Director: Alia Atlas (akatlas@gmail.com)