Configuring a Global MPLS EXP Classifier

EXP packet classification associates incoming packets with a particular MPLS CoS servicing level. EXP behavior aggregate (BA) classifiers examine the MPLS EXP value in the packet header to determine the CoS settings applied to the packet. EXP BA classifiers allow you to set the forwarding class and loss priority of an MPLS packet based on the incoming CoS value.

You can configure up to 64 EXP classifiers, however, the switch uses only one MPLS EXP classifier as a global classifier, which is applied only on interfaces configured as family mpls. All family mpls switch interfaces use the global EXP classifier to classify MPLS traffic.

There is no default EXP classifier. If you want to classify incoming MPLS packets using the EXP bits, you must configure a global EXP classifier. The global classifier applies to all MPLS traffic on all family mpls interfaces.

If a global EXP classifier is configured, MPLS traffic on family mpls interfaces uses the EXP classifier. If a global EXP classifier is not configured, then if a fixed classifier is applied to the interface, the MPLS traffic uses the fixed classifier. If no EXP classifier and no fixed classifier is applied to the interface, MPLS traffic is treated as best-effort traffic. DSCP classifiers are not applied to MPLS traffic.