MPLS – Multi Protocol Label Switching
Multiprotocol Label Switching or MPLS is a type of technique which carry data for high-performance telecommunications networks. MPLS directs the information from one node of the network then onto the next which is based on short path labels instead of long network addresses, keeping away from complex queries in a routing table. The labels help in identifying the links or paths that are known as virtual links or paths between distant nodes as opposed to endpoints. MPLS is able to encapsulate the packets of a variety of protocols which are considered as network protocols and this is the reason that the name given to it is multi-protocol. MPLS supports a wide range of technologies which are accessible and it includes various things such as T1/E1, ATM, Frame Relay, as well as DSL. Multiprotocol Label Switching mainly operates at a layer which is usually considered to be in between traditional definitions of OSI Layer 2 i.e. data link layer and Layer 3 i.e. network layer.