Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
Label-swapping based forwarding in conjunction with network layer routing has recently received a lot of interest
Several vendors have proposed their own proprietary label switching solutions, such as Cisco Systems’ ”tag switching”
The Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) working group of the IETF is developing an open label switching technique with the following goals:
1. Scalability of network layer routing
2. Greater flexibility in delivering routing services (e.g. QoS)
4. Simplify integration of routers with cell based technologies
- a) by making cell switches behave as peers to routers
- b) by making information about physical topology available to Network Layer routing procedures
- c) by employing common addressing, routing, and management procedures