Correct Answer: BTo ensure that MPLS labels are used to forward traffic by all devices within the Label Switched Path (LSP), configuring the explicit-null statement under the protocol MPLS hierarchy on R1 is necessary. By default, the penultimate router (the router before the last hop) performs penultimate hop popping (PHP), which removes the MPLS label. Configuring explicit null ensures the penultimate router retains the MPLS label, replacing it with an explicit null label (label value of 0). This way, the egress router knows it has reached the end of the LSP and can perform the appropriate processing.