This document defines the forwarding element (FE) model used in the Forwarding and Control Element Separation (ForCES) protocol. The model represents the capabilities@ state@ and configuration of forwarding elements within the context of the ForCES protocol@ so that control elements (CEs) can control the FEs accordingly. More specifically@ the model describes the logical functions that are present in an FE@ what capabilities these functions support@ and how these functions are or can be interconnected. This FE model is intended to satisfy the model requirements specified in RFC 3654.