Which statement about MPLS is false?

Which statement about MPLS is false?

• A. MPLS supports various network layer protocols
• B. MPLS labels uniquely identify specific packets in different subnets
• C. The router can aggregate multiple IP flows into an FEC
• D. The packets carrying MPLS labels must be encapsulated into Ethernet frames before being transmitted

Answer: (D)

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a protocol designed to direct data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses. It is important to clarify the statements regarding MPLS. The statement that packets carrying MPLS labels must be encapsulated into Ethernet frames before being transmitted is inaccurate because MPLS can operate over various underlying technologies, not just Ethernet. While it is common for MPLS to be encapsulated inside Ethernet frames when used in Ethernet networks, this is not a requirement of MPLS itself. MPLS packets can also be transmitted over other types of networks, such as Frame Relay, ATM, or even over IP directly. Therefore, MPLS is agnostic to the layer 2 technology being used, allowing it a wide range of applicability. In contrast, the other statements are true: MPLS does support multiple network layer protocols, which is why it is termed "multiprotocol." Labels in MPLS indeed serve to uniquely identify packets, and the router is capable of aggregating multiple IP flows into a single Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC), facilitating effective traffic management and routing.

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a protocol designed to direct data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses. It is important to clarify the statements regarding MPLS.

The statement that packets carrying MPLS labels must be encapsulated into Ethernet frames before being transmitted is inaccurate because MPLS can operate over various underlying technologies, not just Ethernet. While it is common for MPLS to be encapsulated inside Ethernet frames when used in Ethernet networks, this is not a requirement of MPLS itself. MPLS packets can also be transmitted over other types of networks, such as Frame Relay, ATM, or even over IP directly. Therefore, MPLS is agnostic to the layer 2 technology being used, allowing it a wide range of applicability.

In contrast, the other statements are true: MPLS does support multiple network layer protocols, which is why it is termed "multiprotocol." Labels in MPLS indeed serve to uniquely identify packets, and the router is capable of aggregating multiple IP flows into a single Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC), facilitating effective traffic management and routing.