The present invention relates to a matching structure of forwarding engines (FEs) of an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) based Multi Protocol Label Switching-Label Edge Router (MPLS-LER) system for transmission of IP/MPLS packets which results in the decrease of the connections required within the system for such transmission and a method for connection in accordance with the provided matching structure. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, by utilizing pre-established internal connections, additional IP equipments or Label Switching Paths (LSPs) are connected. Thus, no additional connections are required for additional equipments, while all the connections supported by the Line Interface Modules (LIMs) are provided. Consequently, according to the present invention, due to the decreased number of required connections, the repair and maintenance of the connections become simple. Further, because any additional connections to be made for additional IP equipments or LSPs are limited at the FEs, the connection establishment is conducted in a simple and expeditiously manner. |