routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses
avoids complex lookups in a routing table and speeds traffic flows
labels identify virtual links (paths) between distant nodes rather than endpoints
can encapsulate packets of various network protocols, hence the "multiprotocol" reference on its name
supports a range of access technologies, including T1/E1, ATM, Frame Relay, and DSL