Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is rapidly emerging as an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard intended to enhance the speed, scalability, and service provisioning capabilities in the Internet. MPLS uses the technique of packet forwarding based on labels, to enable the implementation of a simpler high-performance packet forwarding engine. This also decouples packet forwarding from routing, facilitating the provision of varied routing services independent of the packet forwarding paradigm. The authors track the evolution of this technology in relation to other existing technologies. Then an overview of the MPLS architecture and design is provided. In addition, some of the work that was a precursor to MPLS is discussed, as well as related issues and debates.