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Provider edge router
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<p>A provider edge router (PE router) is a <a href="/facts/Router_(computing)/Nh5cIyVf">router</a> between one <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">network</a> service provider's area and areas administered by other network providers. A network provider is usually an <a href="/facts/Internet_service_provider/dUacAxef">Internet service provider</a> as well (or only that). </p><p>The term <i>PE router</i> covers equipment capable of a broad range of <a href="/facts/Routing/Ml6MVCaC">routing</a> <a href="/facts/Communications_protocol/5uady7cB">protocols</a>, notably: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Border_Gateway_Protocol/XfYgBzW3">Border Gateway Protocol</a> (BGP) (PE to PE or PE to CE communication)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Open_Shortest_Path_First/PACpGUHb">Open Shortest Path First</a> (OSPF) (PE to <a href="/facts/Customer_edge_router/UonJ1wXL">CE router</a> communication)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Multiprotocol_Label_Switching/k7cx1PWw">Multiprotocol Label Switching</a> (MPLS) (CE to PE (<a href="/facts/Ingress_router/n5Maxveh">ingress</a> <a href="/facts/ELSR/k7cx1PWw">eLSR</a>) or PE to CE (<a href="/facts/Egress_router/GVIEGuW4">egress</a> <a href="/facts/ELSR/k7cx1PWw">eLSR</a>), also PE to P (and visa versa))</li></ul> <p>PE routers do not need to be aware of what kind of traffic is coming from the provider's network, as opposed to a <a href="/facts/Provider_router/FKJpcIXG">P router</a> that functions as a transit within the service provider's network. However, some PE routers also do labelling. </p>