label switching

networking An attempt to combine the best attributes of

layer two switching (as in ATM and Frame Relay) with

the best attributes of the layer three routing (as in IP).

The key concept in label switching is identifying and marking

IP datagrams with labels and forwarding them to a modified

switch or router, which then uses the labels to switch the

datagrams through the network. The labels are created and

assigned to IP datagrams based upon the information gathered

from existing IP routing protocols.

Prior to the formation of the MPLS Working Group in 1997, a

number of vendors had announced and/or implemented proprietary

label switching.

(1999-06-14)