The IETF Multiprotocol Label Switching Standard: The MPLS Transport Profile Case

Multiprocol label switching (MPLS) is a technology for traffic engineering for and the optimization of IP networks. It's also an enabling technology for building applications on top of IP networks. The IETF has standardized the MPLS protocol suite, as well as technologies - such as virtual private networks and pseudowires - that build on it. MPLS is a mature technology and is used extensively by all the major network operators. The IETF has also standardized a technology - Generalized MPLS - that extends the MPLS control plane for use with other data plane technologies.