In
Multiprotocol Label Switching
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on labels rather than network addresses. Whereas network addresses identify endpoints the labels identif ...
(MPLS), a P router or provider router is a
label switch router
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on labels rather than network addresses. Whereas network addresses identify endpoints the labels identif ...
(LSR) that functions as a
transit router of the core network.
The P router is typically connected to one or more
PE routers.
Here's one scenario: A customer who has facilities in LA and Atlanta wants to connect these sites over an
MPLS VPN
MPLS VPN is a family of methods for using Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) to create virtual private networks (VPNs). MPLS VPN is a flexible method to transport and route several types of network traffic using an MPLS backbone.
There are thre ...
provided by AT&T. To do this, the customer would purchase a link from the on-site
CE router to the
PE router in AT&T's central office in LA and would also do the same thing in Atlanta. The PE routers would connect over AT&T's backbone routers (P routers) to enable the two CE routers in LA and Atlanta to communicate over the MPLS network.
See also
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Customer edge router
The customer edge router (CE) is the router at the customer premises that is connected to the provider edge router of a service provider Internet Protocol, IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching, MPLS network. The CE router peers with the provider edge ...
*
Provider edge router
A provider edge router (PE router) is a router between one network service provider's area and areas administered by other network providers. A network provider is usually an Internet service provider as well (or only that).
The term ''PE router ...
References
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MPLS networking