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Path Computation Element (PCE)

Definition

Path Computation Element (PCE)

Path Computation Element (PCE) is a network component, application or node that can apply computational constraints and compute a network path or route based on a network graph. The PCE has access to topology information for the entire network and uses this in path computations.

When a network elements needs a path for an label-switched path, it makes a request to the PCE by using the path computation element protocol (PCEP). The PCE architecture and PCE protocol are defined by the IETF in RFCs 4655 and RFC 5440, respectively.

Related glossary terms: Big Switch Big Network Controller , Big Switch Networks Big Tap, Big Switch Networks Big Virtual Switch, Arista Extensible Operating System (Arista EOS), FlowVisor , Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), application-aware networking (app-ware networking), application-defined networking , SDN application (software-defined networking application), distributed virtual switch

This was last updated in March 2013

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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