When CE and PE are combined

[ayushmaanbhav]

Hello,

I would like to know how to differentiate if CE and PE are seprate devices (Routers) or it is same. I have seen in many deployment, the CE is combined with PE and kept at customer place. It may be since there is not many Services Configured (other customer) in that PE ?

How to distinguish the both pattern.

Also how to identified via SNMP if the given router is P or PE may be both ?

Regards,

Ayush

[Harold Ritter]

Hi Ayush,

The main difference between the PE and the CE is that the former runs MPLS and the latter not. The PE is also part of the SP core igp, which is not the case for the CE. Sometimes SP deliver l3vpn services where the CE is not needed. Just a L2 device drectly connected to the PE.

The difference between a P and a PE is more subtle. A P router technically does not perform label imposition and dispotion, therefore only label swapping. Not sure how you would identify that via SNMP though.

I am not sure I answered your question. let me know if not.

Regards