Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Course description: The course is dedicated to MPLS, which is a hybrid technology aiming to combine the advantages of IP network and networks using a virtual circuit technique. The course covers the principles of IP/MPLS networks and main MPLS applications such as MPLS Traffic Engineering (MPLS TE) and MPLS VPN. Course(s) to be taken before this course: Introduction to Data Networks and Introduction to the IP networks Chapters of the book on which this course can be based: The basic concept of MPLS is a tight integration of IP and virtual circuit switching techniques, hence a good starting point for the course will be studying of the material of Chapter 3 ‘Packet and circuit switching’ (except for the section ‘ Packet Switching in Shared Medium Networks’) and the section ‘Virtual Circuit Technique’ of Chapter 21. As MPLS is mostly deployed in telecom provider networks, Chapter 5 is also useful as a preliminary material. The section ‘Multiprotocol Label Switching’ of Chapter 22 covers MPLS basics and MPLS TE principles; section ‘MPLS VPN’ covers basics of Virtual Private Networks based on MPLS. QoS is a functionality that is not provided directly by means of MPLS; however, MPLS creates very strong basis for QoS deployment. For better explanation of this MPLS feature a lecturer can use the material of Chapter 6 and 7.