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Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is an improved method for forwarding packets through a network.
This guide:
The intended audience is network administrators and technicians interested in a thorough introduction to label switching and Cisco's MPLS implementation. It is also intended for those performing initial BPX configuration for MPLS. Both the installers and the network administrator should be familiar with BPX network operation and modern WAN concepts.
Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in the CD-ROM package that ships with your product. Because the Documentation CD-ROM is updated monthly, it might be more current than printed documentation.
To order additional copies of the Documentation CD-ROM, contact your local sales representative or call Cisco Customer Service. The CD-ROM package is available as a single package or as an annual subscription.
You can also access Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.cisco.com
http://www-china.cisco.com
http://www-europe.cisco.com.
If you are reading Cisco product documentation on the World Wide Web, you can submit comments electronically. Click Feedback in the toolbar and select Documentation. After you complete the form, click Submit to send it to Cisco. We appreciate your comments.
The following Cisco publications contain additional information related to the operation of the
BPX switch and associated equipment in a Cisco WAN switching network:
Cisco BPX 8600 Series Installation and Configuration DOC-7810674= | Provides a general description and technical details of the |
Cisco IGX 8400 Series Reference DOC-7810706= | Provides a general description and technical details of the |
Update to the Cisco IGX 8400 Series Reference Guide DOC-78-11029= | Provides update information about new features in the 9.3.10 Switch Software release that apply to the IGX 8400 switch. Use this update document in conjunction with the Cisco IGX 8400 Series Reference, 9.3.05 Switch Software release documentation on the IGX 8400 switch. |
Cisco IGX 8400 Installation and Configuration DOC-7810722= | Provides installation instructions for the IGX multiband switch. |
Update to the Cisco WAN Switching Command Reference Guide DOC-7810703= | Provides update information about new features contained in the 9.3.10 Switch Software release that apply to both BPX and IGX switches documented in the WAN Switching Command Reference. Use this update document in conjunction with Cisco WAN Switching Command Reference, Release 9.3.05. |
Cisco WAN Switching Command Reference DOC-7810703= | Provides detailed information on the general command line interface commands. |
Cisco WAN Switching SuperUser Command Reference DOC-7810702= | Provides detailed information on the command line interface commands requiring SuperUser access authorization. |
Cisco MPLS Installation and Configuration DOC-7810672= | Provides information on a method for forwarding packets through a network. |
WAN CiscoView for the IGX 8400 Switches DOC-7810669= | Provides instructions for using WAN CiscoView for the IGX 8400. |
WAN CiscoView for the BPX 8600 Switches DOC-7810670= | Provides instructions for using WAN CiscoView for the BPX 8600. |
Cisco WAN Manager Installation Guide for Solaris, Release 10 DOC-7810308= | Provides procedures for installing Release 10 of the Cisco WAN Manager (CWM) network management system on Solaris systems. |
Cisco WAN Manager User's Guide, Release 10 DOC-7810658= | Provides procedures for using Release 10 of the Cisco WAN Manager (CWM) network management system. |
Cisco WAN Manager SNMP Proxy Agent Guide DOC-7810786= | Provides information about the Cisco WAN Manager Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Service Agent components and capabilities. |
Cisco WAN Manager Database Interface Guide DOC-7810785= | Provides the information to gain direct access to the Cisco WAN Manager Informix OnLine database that is used to store information about the elements within your network. |
The Cisco WAN Switching products were once known by older names
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Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a standardized version of Cisco's original Tag Switching proposal. MPLS and Tag Switching are identical in principle, and nearly identical in operation.
In this document, the term "label switching" and "MPLS" are used interchangeably.
This document uses Label Switching terminology rather than the, now obsolete, Tag Switching terminology. The following table shows the new and old terms.
An exception is the term "Tag Distribution Protocol." (TDP). TDP and the MPLS Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) are nearly identical in general function, but use different message formats and some different procedures.
The following table documents the change from tag switching terms to MPLS terms.
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These terms are unique to discussions of MPLS technology:
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Command descriptions use these conventions:
Examples use these conventions:
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Note Means you should take note. Notes contain important suggestions or references to materials not contained in the current body of text. |
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Caution Means reader be careful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in equipment damage or loss of data. |
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You can access CCO in the following ways:
For a copy of CCO's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), contact:
cco-help@cisco.com.
For additional information, contact:
cco-team@cisco.com.
If you are a network administrator and need personal technical assistance with a Cisco product that is under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract, contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at:
800 553-2447
408 526-7209, or
tac@cisco.com.
To obtain general information about Cisco Systems, Cisco products, or upgrades, contact: 800 553-6387
408 526-7208, or
cs-rep@cisco.com.
Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a CD-ROM package that ships with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM, a member of the Cisco Connection Family, is updated monthly and might be more current than printed documentation.
To order additional copies of the Documentation CD-ROM, contact your local sales representative or call customer service. The CD-ROM package is available as a single package or as an annual subscription. You can also access Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at these sites:
If you are reading Cisco product documentation on the World Wide Web, you can submit comments electronically. Click Feedback in the toolbar and select Documentation. After you complete the form, click Submit to send it to Cisco. We appreciate your comments.
Posted: Mon Sep 25 12:05:09 PDT 2000
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