MPLS is a technology that facilitates various network services by attaching short labels to data packets to identify how they should be handled by routers. It provides more efficient routing and support for quality of service compared to traditional TCP/IP networking. MPLS is important for businesses because it allows them to consolidate multiple network types and prioritize applications to improve performance. When selecting an MPLS provider, enterprises should consider the provider's network coverage, experience implementing MPLS, pricing structure, and long-term ability to support the network's evolution.
MPLS: Future Proofing Enterprise Networks for Long-Term Success
1. www.idc.com
I D C E X E C U T I V E B R I E F
MPLS: Future Proofing Enterprise
F.508.935.4015
Networks for Long-Term Success
January 2010
P.508.872.8200
Adapted from U.S. Managed MPLS IP VPN Services 2009–2013 Forecast by Courtney Munroe and
Meera Singh, IDC #217754
Sponsored by Qwest
Global Headquarters: 5 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701 USA
Introduction: Understanding MPLS
Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is a converged data network
technique that facilitates the most efficient platform for transporting a
diverse array of different types of traffic. MPLS provides a simplified
network infrastructure for the simultaneous transport of multiple
applications such as voice, video, and data.
One of the misconceptions about MPLS is that it's often labeled as a
service. MPLS is a technology that facilitates various services.
Multiple protocols supported by MPLS include IP packets, native
ATM, SONET, and Ethernet frames. MPLS is highly scalable and
provides a mechanism to create virtual links on a national basis and
a global basis. MPLS provides high availability and high levels of
security.
The best way to understand MPLS is to compare it with native
TCP/IP. Standard routed IP routers independently decide where to
send the packet each time the packet arrives at the router. This
decision is based entirely on the packet's network-layer header,
which is large — over 100 bits. In other words, it's large and
cumbersome. In addition, TCP/IP does not provide users with quality
of service (QoS), real-time capabilities, or the ability to prioritize and
manage traffic.
MPLS was designed to address these deficiencies in TCP/IP
networking. The strength of MPLS lies in its packet-tagging
capabilities. MPLS provides a more efficient mechanism for
tagging and transporting data packets, which are labeled and routed
based on these tags. All traffic with the same label is treated the
same way.
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