Which function does the MPLS forwarding equivalence class (FEC) perform?

The forwarding equivalence class (FEC) plays a critical role in the operations of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) by determining how IP data packets should be forwarded across the network. Essentially, a FEC is a group of packets that are treated the same way by the MPLS network. Each packet belonging to the same FEC is assigned the same label, which is used for making forwarding decisions through the network.

When a router receives an MPLS packet, it examines the label attached to it and determines which FEC it belongs to. Based on this classification, the router then forwards the packet according to the pre-defined rules associated with that FEC, ensuring efficient and reliable packet delivery. This classification and the subsequent forwarding mechanism enable MPLS to provide quality of service (QoS) and efficient traffic engineering.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of the FEC within MPLS. For example, while routing tables are essential for packet forwarding, the FEC does not directly decide on the routing table for the entire network. Additionally, the assignment of static IP addresses and error detection in transmission are unrelated functions that do not involve the role of the FEC in MPLS networking. Therefore, the clarity of how the F