title: Provider edge router
text: # Provider edge router
  
  A provider edge router (PE router) is a router between one network service provider's area and areas administered by other network providers. A network provider is usually an Internet service provider as well (or only that).
  
  The term PE router covers equipment capable of a broad range of routing protocols, notably:
  
  * Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) (PE to PE or PE to CE communication)
  * Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) (PE to CE router communication)
  * Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) (PE to P router communication)
  
  PE routers do not need to be aware of what kind of traffic is coming from the provider's network, as opposed to a P router that functions as a transit within the service provider's network. However, some PE routers also do labelling.
  
  