The paper describes an optimization model which aims at minimizing the maximum link utilization of IP telecommunication networks under the joint use of the traditional IGP protocols and the more sophisticated MPLS-TE technology. The survivability of the network is taken into account in the optimization process implementing the path restoration scheme. This scheme benefits of the Fast Re-Route (FRR) capability allowing service providers to offer high availability and high revenue SLAs (Service

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... vel Agreements). The hybrid IGP/MPLS approach relies on the formulation of an innovative Linear Programming mathematical model that, while optimizing the network utilization, provides optimal user performance, efficient use of network resources, and 100% survivability in case of single link failure. The possibility of performing an optimal exploitation of the network resources throughout the joint use of the IGP and MPLS protocols provides a flexible tool for the ISP (Internet Service Provider) networks traffic engineers. The efficiency of the proposed approach is validated by a wide experimentation performed on synthetic and real networks. The obtained results show that a limited number of LSP tunnels have to be set up in order to significantly reduce the congestion level of the network while at the same time guaranteeing the survivability of the network.