PE router: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

PE router, PE stands for provider edge, 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) BGP

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) OSPF

and

Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) MPLS

PE routers need not be aware of what kind of traffic is coming from the providers network, however, some PE routers do labeling too.