Solved: What is the importance of "Fragmentation"in Multilink

Lijesh NC · ‎03-27-2010

Hi All,

Would like to know more about fragmentation in MLPP.In which all cases "No PPP Multilink fragmentation" is configurd what differance it make in multilink.Is it enabled by default.

Kinldy help in understanding this better.

interface Multilink21
description ***** Test *****
ip vrf forwarding Test_Mul
ip address 10.1.100.100 255.255.255.252
no ip directed-broadcast
no cdp enable
ppp multilink
no ppp multilink fragmentation ========= ???!!!!!
multilink-group 21

Thanks in advance.

Lijesh

Lei Tian · ‎03-27-2010

Hi Lijesh,

MLPPP fragmentation is enable by default.

The Multilink PPP feature provides load balancing functionality over multiple WAN links, while providing multivendor interoperability, packet fragmentation and proper sequencing, and load calculation on both inbound and outbound traffic. The Cisco implementation of MLP supports the fragmentation and packet sequencing specifications in RFC 1990. Additionally, you can change the default endpoint discriminator value that is supplied as part of user authentication. Refer to RFC 1990 for more information about the endpoint discriminator.

MLP allows packets to be fragmented and the fragments to be sent at the same time over multiple point-to-point links to the same remote address. The multiple links come up in response to a defined dialer load threshold. The load can be calculated on inbound traffic, outbound traffic, or on either, as needed for the traffic between the specific sites. MLP provides bandwidth on demand and reduces transmission latency across WAN links.

Enabling fragmentation reduces the delay latency among bundle links, but adds some load to the CPU. Disabling fragmentation may result in better throughput.

If your data traffic is consistently of a similar size, we recommend disabling fragmentation. In this case, the benefits of fragmentation may be outweighed by the added load on the CPU.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/ios/dial/configuration/guide/dia_media-ind_multi_ppp_ps6441_TSD_Products_Configuration_Guide_Chapter.html

HTH,

Lei Tian

View solution in original post

Lei Tian · ‎03-28-2010

Hi Lijesh,

The no ppp multilink fragmentation command was changed to ppp multilink fragment disable. The no ppp multilink fragmentation command was recognized and accepted through Cisco IOS Release 12.2.

' delay latency among bundle links' refers to when you have mix large size and small size delay sensitive packets pass the mlppp bundle; with fragmentation and LFI, small size packet doesn't need to wait for large size packet be processed first, it will be transmitted between fragments of the large packet hence reduce the serialization delay.

HTH,

Lei Tian

View solution in original post

Lei Tian · ‎03-27-2010

Hi Lijesh,

MLPPP fragmentation is enable by default.

The Multilink PPP feature provides load balancing functionality over multiple WAN links, while providing multivendor interoperability, packet fragmentation and proper sequencing, and load calculation on both inbound and outbound traffic. The Cisco implementation of MLP supports the fragmentation and packet sequencing specifications in RFC 1990. Additionally, you can change the default endpoint discriminator value that is supplied as part of user authentication. Refer to RFC 1990 for more information about the endpoint discriminator.

MLP allows packets to be fragmented and the fragments to be sent at the same time over multiple point-to-point links to the same remote address. The multiple links come up in response to a defined dialer load threshold. The load can be calculated on inbound traffic, outbound traffic, or on either, as needed for the traffic between the specific sites. MLP provides bandwidth on demand and reduces transmission latency across WAN links.

Enabling fragmentation reduces the delay latency among bundle links, but adds some load to the CPU. Disabling fragmentation may result in better throughput.

If your data traffic is consistently of a similar size, we recommend disabling fragmentation. In this case, the benefits of fragmentation may be outweighed by the added load on the CPU.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/ios/dial/configuration/guide/dia_media-ind_multi_ppp_ps6441_TSD_Products_Configuration_Guide_Chapter.html

HTH,

Lei Tian

Lijesh NC · ‎03-28-2010

Hi Lei ,

Thanks for the detailed explanation.Its partially clear now.I tried to execute the same in lab just to varify how its happening but failed.I couldnot find the option called "no ppp multilink fragmentation" under multilink below is the out put. ,Would be helpfull if you can guide some more on this .Also i have a query on "" delay latency among bundle links"" please help in understanding this better and sorry if this is a very basic quiestion.

R1(config-if)#no ppp multilink fragment ?
delay Specify the maximum delay for each fragment
disable Suppress multilink fragmentation when possible
maximum Specify the maximum number of fragments per transmitted packet

R1(config-if)#

Thanks in advance.

Lijesh

Lei Tian · ‎03-28-2010

Hi Lijesh,

The no ppp multilink fragmentation command was changed to ppp multilink fragment disable. The no ppp multilink fragmentation command was recognized and accepted through Cisco IOS Release 12.2.

' delay latency among bundle links' refers to when you have mix large size and small size delay sensitive packets pass the mlppp bundle; with fragmentation and LFI, small size packet doesn't need to wait for large size packet be processed first, it will be transmitted between fragments of the large packet hence reduce the serialization delay.

HTH,

Lei Tian

shabeer · ‎09-26-2012

Hi Lijesh/ Lei Tian,

I was going through this very informative post and just thought of adding one more point regarding this "fragmentation"
command.

The decision to issue "ppp multilink fragment disable" should also include the router platform that is being used. For those platforms where the fragmentation and reassembly is done is hardware like the SPA's in C12k or 7600, disabling the fragmentation should not make any improvements in the CPU usage. If the customer is using T1/E1, T3/E3 or Sonet SPA's the HDLC controller on the SPA does the fragmentation and reassembly based on the fragment size configured on the SPA.

So the bottom line is " fragment disable" might improve the performance for multilink in software, it will not give the desired result when the multilink is done in hardware.

Thanks

Shabeer

gnijs · ‎04-30-2013

I have a small additional question: correct me if i am wrong:

if i enable fragmentation, a packet is split across all links, for example a 1000 byte packet and 4 T1/E1 links, the packet is split in 250 byte packets which are sent on all 4 lines simultaniously and re-assembled on the other end again.

now, if i disable fragmentation, what kind of load-balancing is now active on the multilink ppp ? If i send the same 1000 byte packet, the router selects one of the 4 links and transmits the whole packet on it ? based on what ? source/destination ip address/mac address ???

regards,

Geert

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎04-30-2013

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

if i enable fragmentation, a packet is split across all links, for example a 1000 byte packet and 4 T1/E1 links, the packet is split in 250 byte packets which are sent on all 4 lines simultaniously and re-assembled on the other end again.

If I remember correctly, you actually also define a fragmentation size. Your single 1000 byte packet might pass thru unfragmented or it might be pass thru as fragments, say, of 75 bytes each. Basically you want to set fragment size, so small priority packets don't have to wait for too large fragments.

now, if i disable fragmentation, what kind of load-balancing is now active on the multilink ppp ? If i send the same 1000 byte packet, the router selects one of the 4 links and transmits the whole packet on it ? based on what ? source/destination ip address/mac address ???

I believe the whole packet is just sent on the 1st available link. (Packets can arrive out of sequence, but MLPPP allows and corrects for that on the receiver.)

Muhammad Thanveer · ‎04-30-2013

Hello JosephDoherty,

thanks for the information, i have a multilink in my network where in sometimes one of the link will be goin down, and because of it, network will be suffering drops and needs to shut the interface and bring it out of the multilink and when the link goes up then I need to add it back to the bundle. will the command "ppp multilink fragment disable" can help me in this regards, what are the supportive command I need to add just in case.

Regards
Thanveer
"Everybody is genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is a stupid."

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎04-30-2013

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

In theory, a link going down or up in a MLPPP bundle should be handled by MLPPP. You shouldn't need to manually remove the port from MLPPP.

What platform(s) and IOSs are being used on the two sides of the MLPPP bundle? What kind of MLPPP links?

Muhammad Thanveer · ‎05-06-2013

Dear JosephDoherty,

Sorry for the late reply, Actually I was busy practing one of my exams, so the reason i could not reply you and I am once again sorry that I can give you the information as I hav already resigned from the company.

Thanks for your intrest, If you have something to comment after this, you are welcome.

Regards
Thanveer
"Everybody is genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is a stupid."