Systematic Management of Labels in Unified MPLS Environments

Sudhir Kumar

Abstract: This article examines architectural principles of systematic label management in unified MPLS environments of multidomain transport networks. The study is conducted as a review-analytical synthesis of contemporary scientific and technical works, within which the label is interpreted not as a local forwarding identifier, but as an end-to-end architectural control element integrating routing, forwarding, and operational mechanisms. The analysis is based on publications addressing unified MPLS architectures, hierarchical label stacks, fast convergence mechanisms, and the extension of forwarding semantics through network actions. It is shown that the resilience and scalability of multidomain MPLS networks are determined not so much by the choice of individual protocols as by the degree of systematization of label management, including the separation of inter-domain and intra-domain levels, a predictable stack structure, and control over the scope of control-information interpretation. The synthesis of architectural solutions demonstrates that extending the label management model by incorporating network actions increases the expressiveness and controllability of forwarding, while simultaneously imposing strict engineering constraints related to stack depth and hardware header processing. Particular attention is paid to the role of controlled path selection and logical topology segmentation as prerequisites for aligning label stack structure with architectural management policies. It is shown that systematic label management is formed as a result of reconciling architectural, hardware, and operational constraints, rather than as a set of isolated protocol mechanisms. The article may be of interest to researchers in transport network architecture, network operators, and engineers involved in the design and evolution of scalable MPLS networks.

Keywords: label management, MPLS architecture, hierarchical label stack, network actions, segment routing, multidomain networks

How to Cite?: Sudhir Kumar, "Systematic Management of Labels in Unified MPLS Environments", Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 63-68, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26130144421, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26130144421