Multiprotocol Label Switching
MPLS is a technical term for Multiprotocol Label Switching. MPLS is a tool for allowing the fast transfer of data packets via telecommunications networks from one node to another. It was developed in the late 1990’s as a way of providing much faster and more reliable data packet forwarding between IP routers. MPLS works in tandem with VPN systems to form an MPLS network.
The advantage of MPLS technology is that it works on a variety of different switching and cabling systems and also with a large variety of data transfer protocols. This allows the data to be transferred on the vast majority of data networks. You are not tied into one type of system or protocol show data can be sent across different parts of networks to achieve the fast possible speeds.
The way in which MPLS works is based around the tagging of traffic or data packets. The packet is tagged with a unique label or identifier by the “label edge router” or LER. The unique labels that are attached to the data packets then determine which LSP (Label Switch Path) the data will be passed down. Each link in the chain is referred to have a hop and the system chooses which are the best link to pass the data forward and onwards to the next hop in the chain or network. When the data packet reaches its final destination in the VPN the label edge router at that location removes the label and produces the data packets at their destined address.
MPLS differs from standard IP routing in the fact that the label header is only read once in the MPLS process with a 32 bit length label attached to the packet. This carries information forward on a much quicker basis as the protocol rides onto of the routing protocol.
There are a number of telecommunications services that introduce enterprise network managed MPLS platform, ensuring reduction on costs and increase scalability and reliability, which were often not included in legacy networks. What is more, there is lower latency and least packet loss, easy facilitation on procurement, and security and prioritization of bandwidth that made MPLS VPN very popular in the business domain. Network engineers need fast and effective training on this new technology to deploy MPLS VPN efficiently on their network.
To this end, the MPLS and VPN Architectures offer an extensive discussion particularly to Cisco MPLS architecture. You need to grasp the theory and configuration of MPLS, examine the issues of network design and case studies, and the major MPLS application, which is the MPLS VPN. MPLS VPN architecture and its mechanisms can be better understood with configuration examples, suggested deployment and design guidelines, and wide case studies. This technology helps you understand, design and implement MPLS-enabled VPN.
MPLS VPN is economical, reliable, secure and scalable solution for WAN infrastructure. It offers convergence of services such as voice, data and video on an interface and platform. It provides Quality of Service as value-added services and prioritizes traffic by corporate demand for MPLS VPNs. It has seamless solution for business applications that are sensitive to time and bandwidth demands. There are several ways to reach the destination in case of network interruption so it has the ability to reduce downtime. Its Intranet and Extranet capabilities provide secure communications between partners. And lastly, MPLS VPN simplifies management of your network.