Reduced complexity multiprotocol label switching

A Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network element, comprising:

• at least one port;
• forwarding circuitry communicatively coupled to the port;
• and
• control circuitry communicatively coupled to the forwarding circuitry and the port;
• wherein the forwarding circuitry and the control circuitry are configured to:
• receive a defined reserved block of labels from a MPLS label space, each label being available to be associated with a distinct logical destination in the network;
• for a packet entering the network on the at least one port, assigning the packet entering one of the defined reserved block of labels, the label assigned being determined by an ultimate logical destination of the packet in the network;
• and
• for a packet on a Label Switched Path through the at least one port, forwarding the packet on the Label Switched Path with a same label contained thereon based on being in the defined reserved block of labels.

A Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, comprising:

• a plurality of network elements connected therebetween;
• a defined reserved block of a MPLS label space;
• a uniquely assigned subset of labels from the defined reserved block to each of the plurality of network elements;
• and
• a reduced complexity control plane;
• wherein, for a packet entering the network at one of the plurality of network elements, the packet entering the network is assigned one of the uniquely assigned subset of labels learned by that network element, the label assigned being determined by an ultimate logical destination of the packet in the network;
• and
• wherein, for a packet on a Label Switched Path, the packet on the Label Switched Path comprises the same label throughout its transit of the network.