This presentation provides an introduction to Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). The advantages of MPLS and MPLS forwarding operation, traffic engineering applications, protection mechanisms, and router evaluation are discussed. The intended audience is the Network Engineer knowledgeable with IP Routing, but new to MPLS technology. The goal of the presentation is to provide the fundamental principles required for evaluating MPLS implementations and advanced MPLS features.

Scott Poretsky is Senior Product Marketing Engineer at Avici Systems. One of Scott's key focus areas involves working with Carriers and ISPs to develop test scenarios and procedures for Router evaluation. Prior to this role, Scott was Avici's Manager of Product Verification and led the development of Avici's router test platform. He has been an active participant in MPLS testing at the GMU AIL and Isocore since 1998.

Prior to joining Avici in 1997, Scott held engineering positions with General DataComm and Raytheon. Scott has a BSEE from the University of Vermont and an MSEE from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has two IEEE published papers and a patent for networking protocols.