MPLS - Multi-Protocol Label Switching
MPLS is fast becoming a favorite son in the IT world. Let's briefly explore why.
Why MPLS?
As voice and data communications continue to evolve, aging technologies such as point-to-point and Frame Relay continue to struggle to adapt to evolving IT (Information Technology) demands and to maximize available bandwidth by converging voice and data. The need to prioritize critical data has become crucial to ensure that real-time and high-priority applications perform at, or above, expectations. MPLS can provide the answers. Voice, data, internet, even video conferencing - all can be facilitated easily and extremely cost effectively with MPLS. And it's easily scalable to boot - adding additional locations is a snap. Perhaps the best part is that you don't have to "learn" MPLS - the provider will handle it all for you. Including providing the routers needed to make your new MPLS solution go.
A Reasonably Straightforward MPLS Definition
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a versatile solution to address the problems faced by present-day networks - speed, scalability, quality-of-service (QoS) management, and traffic engineering. MPLS has emerged as an elegant solution to meet the bandwidth-management and service requirements for next-generation Internet protocol (IP)–based backbone networks. MPLS addresses issues related to scalability and routing (based on QoS and service quality metrics) and can exist over existing asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and frame-relay networks. Works with IP, ATM, and Frame Relay protocols - hence the name "Multi-Protocol Label Switching".
MPLS technology is also having an impact on the Internet - by prioritizing Internet traffic and the core network more efficiently, quality of service (QoS) and traffic engineering functions can address the performance issues related to emerging Internet applications such as real-time voice and video streaming. Network equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new solutions that solve many of the problems associated with today's Internet applications. Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is one such solution that has been standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Benefits of Implementing an MPLS Network:
- Security. A network solution that protects your company’s sensitive data.
- Savings. Save as much as 40% or more on network costs vs Frame Relay and Private Line networks.
- Simplicity. Simplify network management with "any to any" connectivity.
- Scalability. Easily add new locations. And there's no limit to how many locations you can have.
Those are the key points. Unfortunately, it gets painfully technical very quickly after that. Instead of taking the risk of making your eyes glaze over by bombarding you with technical terms and acronyms, we'd like to extend an invitation; if your operation has multiple locations with voice and data requirements, simply give us a call and tell us about your application. If it sounds like MPLS might be a good fit, we'll explain it to you in terms you'll understand and show you precisely how it would be of benefit to you. We'd enjoy the chance to discuss it with you.
In the interim, here's a couple of links you might find interesting and useful - the first is to a webinar on MPLS put on by one of our MPLS partners (US LEC merged with Paetec in October of 2006). It's only 24 minutes long and you'll find it extremely easy to follow and very informative. The other is a pretty straightforward article on MPLS. It's only 1 page, and it's not overly technical. It will help you further understand MPLS and its potential role in your future.
Paetec/US LEC MPLS Webinar - Is your business in the game?
Why MPLS? Why not? - A new world of networking exists, one where multiple network services can be delivered over a shared network infrastructure, all while ensuring flexible bandwidth and QoS. Welcome to the world of MPLS.
WARNING: The rest of this MPLS info is intended specifically for those of you who are more, shall we say, technically inclined. We must ask that CFOs proceed at their own risk. We like CFOs, and we don't want to see anyone get hurt.
Technical Section
MPLS Technical Definition & MPLS Terminology w/Definitions - There’s a technical definition of MPLS with links to the definitions of the words in the definition. Which then have links to the definitions of the words in those definitions. This is followed by more MPLS terms (our personal favorite is Penultimate Hop Pop) along with their definitions.
MPLS Acronym Expansions - We saved the best for last, the icing on the cake - a hefty table full of acronym expansions. Just in case you were wondering what all those annoying acronyms actually stood for.
MPLS Network Diagram
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1a. |
Existing routing protocols (open shortest path first (OSPF), intermediate system to intermediate system (IS-IS)) establish the reachability of the destination networks |
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1b. |
Label distribution protocol (LDP) establishes label-to-destination network mappings |
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2. |
Ingress edge label switching router (LSR) receives a packet, performs layer-3 value-added services, and labels the packets |
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3. |
LSR switches the packet using label swapping |
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4. |
Egress edge LSR removes the label and delivers the packet
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This illustrates the flow of a packet through an MPLS-enabled network. The source network is on the left and the destination network on the right. The large cloud in the center is the wide area network (WAN).
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