US Patent 8005096 Network tunnelling

MPLS labels can be used to tunnel data packets through IP networks. At a start point such as a router or network terminator, the IP destination address is examined and one or more labels are generated which relate to the topology of the network. The labels can include QoS information. The packet is then sent to the destination via a label switched path. At the destination the packet may be sent on via a further label switched path by examining the IP address from the received label and generating one or more fresh labels for the passage of the packet through the further label switched path.