The Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE) is an integral component of Juniper Networks devices,
responsible for the data plane operations. The data plane, also known as the forwarding plane, is
where the actual processing and forwarding of packets occur based on the routing and forwarding
tables. The PFE executes the forwarding decisions made by the Routing Engine (RE), handling all
packet transmissions, including routing, filtering, and switching packets towards their destination.
This contrasts with the control plane operations handled by the RE, which involve routing table
maintenance, system management, and control protocol processing.
