1. A method of utilizing Generalized Multi-protocol Label switching (GMPLS) to control Ethernet provider backbone transport (PBT) paths, the method comprising the steps of: determining a path from an originating edge node to a terminating edge node through at least one intermediate node; in either the originating edge node or the terminating edge node, comparing a GMPLS explicit route object (ERO) associated with the path to an existing set of shared forwarding multiplexes, and selecting a backbone virtual local area network identifier (VID) and a media-access-control (MAC) address in a first VID/MAC tuple which identifies what the terminating edge node considers to be an optimal shared forwarding multiplex for the originating edge node to join; sending, from the originating edge node to the terminating edge node, a first GMPLS label for identifying the path, the first GMPLS label containing the first VTD/MAC tuple; and using the first VID/MAC tuple for the path in a respective forwarding table of each intermediate node; wherein when the comparing and selecting steps are performed in the terminating node, the first VIP/MAC tuple is communicated to the originating node via a GMPLS control plane; and wherein when the comparing and selecting steps are performed in the originating node, information of the optimal shared forwarding multiplex is communicated to the originating node via the GMPLS control plane.