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Tag Switching (Label Switching)

What Does Tag Switching (Label Switching) Mean?

Tag switching is a flexible and efficient network communication mechanism used to transmit Internet Protocol (IP) traffic over a telecommunications network. Tag switching supports different networking routes, and its simplicity appeals to major network vendors.

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Tag switching is also known as label switching.

Techopedia Explains Tag Switching (Label Switching)

Tag switching, which integrates router and switch functionalities, is a proprietary Cisco protocol. Packets are tagged with particular information and routed to their destination via routers (tag-edge routers), switches (tag switches) and protocols (tag protocols). Tag switching provides dynamic functions, including vendor and network IP scalability.

Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is a new all-in-one technology that is gradually replacing the tag switching functionality.

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