multiprotocol router (MPR)
Multiprotocol routers (MPR) can simultaneously handle several protocols in parallel. In principle, multiprotocol routers have implemented several Layer 3 protocols protocol stacks via which the diverse network protocols can communicate with each other.
Such a router can replace several backbones for different protocols because it combines several single-protocol routers( SPR) in one device. When an incoming data packet arrives, the multiprotocol router uses the network address and other information to determine which protocol it is and processes it using the appropriate protocol routine.
Routing between different protocol worlds is always done on the same protocol, and not between different protocol worlds; for example, from Internet Protocol( IP) to Internet Protocol, and not from IP protocol to SNA.