Methods, systems, and computer program products for pushing and/or popping multiple multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) labels/shim headers at a single node

A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet is processed by modifying the packet so as to push or pop a plurality of MPLS shim headers at a network node. An MPLS network is operated by pushing a plurality of MPLS shim headers onto a packet at network node. The packet is replicated to obtain a plurality of packets for transmission on a plurality of paths associated with a plurality of nodes, respectively. At least one MPLS shim header is popped from respective ones of the plurality of packets. The one or more MPLS shim headers that are popped correspond to at least one of the plurality of nodes that is not associated with one of the plurality of paths for which one of the plurality of packets comprising the one or more MPLS shim headers is destined for transmission. The plurality of packets is-then transmitted on the plurality of paths, respectively.