Provider edge router
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A Provider Edge router (PE router) is a router between one network service provider's area and areas administered by other network providers. A network provider is usually an Internet service provider as well (or only that).
The term PE router covers equipment capable of a broad range of routing protocols, notably:
- Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) (PE to PE or PE to CE communication)
- Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) (PE to CE Router communication)
- Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) (PE to P Router communication)
PE routers do not need to be aware of what kind of traffic is coming from the provider's network, as opposed to a P Router that functions as a transit within the service provider's network. However, some PE routers also do labelling.