6500 Virtual Switching System (VSS) design in MPLS PE PoP

I have a design question regarding a Service provider style MPLS PoP
with dual 6500 PE Routers.

Each MPLS PoP currently is running two PE routers for resiliency.The
CE routers dual home to each MPLS PE router at Layer 3 into the MPLS
VPN/vrf. The traffic is load balanced in/out for different VRF's based
on HSRP and routing preferences.

My question is what is the benefit or pros and cons of running Virual
Switchi system (VSS) on the two 6500 PE routers and treating the two
as One logical PE router.

I can understand the benefit of VSS with Multichassis Etherchannel
(MEC) in a Data center or access layer type setup, but not sure if it
is recommended to run VSS on a Service provider MPLS setup for PoP
node resiliency

With the current setup I can manipulate the traffic based on routing
preferences and have more control. But with VSS since the device is
acting as one PE router, will i have the same ability to control
traffic patterns?

My other concern is that on the dual homed CE routers, the PE-CE BGP
routes will appear coming from one PE whilst in VSS, same BGP
neighbour. This may be harder to troubleshoot issues.

Please advise..

Regards

Irfan S.

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Received on Wed Jan 18 2012 - 09:16:14 ART