MPLS-based traffic forwarding, as it is also used in traditional telecom operator networks, provides virtual tunnels to separate traffic of different traffic classes. Each data packet is associated with an MPLS label, which in turn is associated with a specific traffic class. Even when forwarded between the same radio nodes on the same radio links, a voice packet will get a different handling than a data packet, and typically be forwarded first. Sophisticated traffic-engineering concepts ensure high network performance, efficient usage of available resources, and provisioning of guaranteed quality of service at the same time.

MPLS deployment results in reduced demand on the hardware in terms of computing power, thus lower CAPEX and faster message forwarding. Transparent support for every higher-layer protocol is based on QoS-aware LAN-emulation, and in particular IPv4 and IPv6 are supported.

IEEE 802.21, an international standard originally developed for inter-technology handovers, was extended by Fraunhofer to support an extended set of control functions. This extension is used to manage the MPLS paths across the network, and to collect and provide network monitoring information. Its technology-independent nature allows WiBACK to support any type of radio network technology, provided that an appropriate control interface is implemented. A central component, the Interface Management Function, IMF, provides a uniform and technology agnostic interface to higher layers. MAC adapters located logically below the IMF are responsible for mapping a set of generic primitives onto technology specific features and mechanisms. The higher layer modules on top of the IMF provide functionalities such as that of a traditional routing protocol, topology discovery, route calculation, or monitoring.

The control plane is based on a centralized management approach, where so-called Master nodes manage a set of Slave nodes in their administrative area. Dedicated management entities maintain the resource allocation and routing state of their network areas. Multiple Master nodes might be operational within each administrative area in a primary/backup configuration. Contrary to the rather distributed routing protocols such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) or Optimised Link State Routing (OLSR), the centralized approach offers the opportunity to perform network wide optimizations when allocating radio resources or when assigning the overall network capacity to best match payload demands.

IEEE 802.21, an international standard originally developed for inter-technology handovers, was extended by Fraunhofer to support an extended set of control functions. This extension is used to manage the MPLS paths across the network, and to collect and provide network monitoring information. Its technology-independent nature allows WiBACK to support any type of radio network technology, provided that an appropriate control interface is implemented. A central component, the Interface Management Function, IMF, provides a uniform and technology agnostic interface to higher layers. MAC adapters located logically below the IMF are responsible for mapping a set of generic primitives onto technology specific features and mechanisms. The higher layer modules on top of the IMF provide functionalities such as that of a traditional routing protocol, topology discovery, route calculation, or monitoring.

The control plane is based on a centralized management approach, where so-called Master nodes manage a set of Slave nodes in their administrative area. Dedicated management entities maintain the resource allocation and routing state of their network areas. Multiple Master nodes might be operational within each administrative area in a primary/backup configuration. Contrary to the rather distributed routing protocols such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) or Optimised Link State Routing (OLSR), the centralized approach offers the opportunity to perform network wide optimizations when allocating radio resources or when assigning the overall network capacity to best match payload demands.

Capacity management is implemented by a Capacity Management Function (CMF) to ensure that the capacity of a link is never exceeded, and request more capacity if needed by end-user services. Upon association of a new Slave, TMF computes the optimal channel configuration for all available physical radio links in the WiBACK network.