MPLS

MPLS

The fundamental concept behind MPLS is that of labeling packets. In a traditional routed IP network, each router makes an independent forwarding decision for each packet based solely on the packet’s network-layer header. Thus, every time a packet arrives at a router, the router has to “think through” where to send the packet next.

MPLS stands for Multi-protocol Label Switching. MPLS is a packet forwarding technology that is capable of carrying any L3 protocol and here comes the word multi-protocol. MPLS is capable of tunneling L3 packets inside the MPLS network using MPLS labels.
EXAMPLE OF MPLS
BENEFIT OF MPLS
  • Improve Uptime - by sending data over an alternative path in less than 50 milliseconds (if one exists). MPLS also reduces the amount of manual intervention your network provider has to do to create a WAN, reducing the likelihood of human error bringing down your circuit.

  • Improve User Experience - by prioritising time-sensitive traffic such as VoIP. Multi-Protocol Label Switching offers multiple Classes of Service, enabling you to apply separate settings to different types of traffic.

  • Improve Bandwidth Utilisation - by putting multiple types of traffic on the same link, you can let high priority traffic borrow capacity from lower priority traffic streams whenever required. Conversely, when the lower priority traffic needs to burst beyond its usual amount of bandwidth, it can use any capacity that's not being used by higher priority services.

  • Hide Network Complexity- an MPLS connection between two sites can be configured to act like a long ethernet cable, with the hops involved hidden from view. This is sometimes known as VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service).

  • Reduce Network Congestion - Sometimes the shortest path between two locations isn't the best one to take, as congestion has made it less attractive (at least for the time being). This can reduce latency (the delay in sending/receiving data). It also reduces congestion on the paths that have just been avoided as a result of traffic engineering.
Share by: