Table of Contents
PrefaceDocumentation CD-ROM
Related Documentation
Conventions
Cisco Connection Online
Documentation CD-ROM
Preface
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is an improved method for forwarding packets through a network.
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.
Documentation CD-ROM
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.
Related Documentation
The following Cisco publications contain additional information related to the operation of the
BPX switch and associated equipment in a Cisco WAN switching network:
Previous Cisco WAN Switch Product Names
The Cisco WAN Switching products were once known by older names
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MPLS and Tag Terminology
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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Terms Specific to MPLS
These terms are unique to discussions of MPLS technology:
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Conventions
Command descriptions use these conventions:
Examples use these conventions:
- Terminal sessions and information the system displays are in
screenfont. - Information you enter is in boldface screen font.
- Nonprinting characters, such as passwords, are in angle brackets (< >).
- Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets ([ ]).
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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. |
Cisco Connection Online
Cisco Connection Online (CCO) is Cisco Systems' primary, real-time support channel. Maintenance customers and partners can self-register on CCO to obtain additional information and services.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, CCO provides a wealth of standard and value-added services to Cisco's customers and business partners. CCO services include product information, product documentation, software updates, release notes, technical tips, the Bug Navigator, configuration notes, brochures, descriptions of service offerings, and download access to public and authorized files.
CCO serves a wide variety of users through two interfaces that are updated and enhanced simultaneously: a character-based version and a multimedia version that resides on the World Wide Web (WWW). The character-based CCO supports Zmodem, Kermit, Xmodem, FTP, and Internet e-mail, and it is excellent for quick access to information over lower bandwidths. The WWW version of CCO provides richly formatted documents with photographs, figures, graphics, and video, as well as hyperlinks to related information.
You can access CCO in the following ways:
- WWW: http://www.cisco.com
- WWW: http://www-europe.cisco.com
- WWW: http://www-china.cisco.com
- Telnet: cco.cisco.com
- Modem: From North America, 408 526-8070; from Europe, 33 1 64 46 40 82. Use the following terminal settings: VT100 emulation; databits: 8; parity: none; stop bits: 1; and connection rates up to 28.8 kbps.
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.
Documentation CD-ROM
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.