P or PE role ?

[kianhowtan]

Hi,

1. Must a PE router connect directly to a P router ?

2. If I have only one router, because of hardware constraints, i can only connect the new router to a PE router rather to a P router, so can I configure this new router as a P and PE router, i.e dual role .

If it is not possible, what's the best recommendation.

Thanks

[Harold Ritter]

There should be no issue with a PE being connected to the core via another PE.

The basic difference between a P and PE router is mostlty academic. In principle, a P router only does label swapping, whereas the PE does label imposition and disposition (or if you prefer, label pushing and popping).

I have seen some core routers from other vendors only being label swapping capable (P only) but I have never seen a device supporting MPLS and not being able to support label swapping (P functionality).

Hope this helps,