MPLS Terminology
Before jumping into MPLS concepts, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the terminology and lingo used in MPLS.
Table 2-1 defines some common MPLS-related terms you must know in order to understand the concepts in this chapter and book.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Upstream | A router that is closer to the source of a packet, relative to another router. |
| Downstream | A router that is farther from the source of a packet, relative to another router. As a packet traverses a network, it is switched from an upstream router to its downstream neighbor. |
| Control plane | Where control information such as routing and label information is exchanged. |
| Data plane/forwarding plane | Where actual forwarding is performed. This can ... |
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