first class of service
Access the cloud, offices, datacenters privately
MPLS VPN is the most preferred solution for inter-office connectivity among enterprises and it can also connect you to the cloud privately and securely
Secure
MPLS VPN runs over dedicated secure private tunnels isolated from public internet
High Performing Apps
With the class of service options, you have the full control of managing your traffic and users
Connection Type Agnostic
With MPLS VPN, you have a vast array of options for local access connectivity, be it ethernet, leased line, internet
etc.
Reasonable Pricing
MPLS VPN is cost effective as long as you know exactly how much bandwidth you need
Short Lead Time
MPLS VPNs can be delivered very quickly and efficiently no matter how many sites you would like to interconnect
Full Support
Since it is a managed service, you get the full support when there is any issue with the links or the devices
Source: Mordor Intelligence
“MPLS networks have been engineered for high reliability and low latency. Coupled with their ability to provide differentiated levels of service to traffic with different needs, this means MPLS networks can serve as a strong backbone to an SD-WAN. A good SD-WAN platform will only enhance such a solid and reliable network. It will use Internet capacity to keep less-critical, less-sensitive traffic off MPLS, reducing costs as capacity needs rise. It will use Internet to cover for problems on the MPLS network when they crop up.”
Frequently Asked Questions about MPLS-VPN
What is MPLS VPN?
MPLS VPN stands for Multiprotocol Label Switching Virtual Private Network. It is a technology used to create secure, private networks over a shared infrastructure.
In an MPLS VPN, data is transmitted over the network using MPLS labels, which are added to each packet by the ingress router. These labels are used to route the packet through the network along a predetermined path, known as a Label Switched Path (LSP). This path is determined by the network's label distribution protocol, which assigns labels to each router along the path.
MPLS VPNs are commonly used by businesses to create private networks that connect multiple sites, such as offices or data centers, over a shared infrastructure. This allows businesses to securely transmit data between sites without the need for expensive dedicated connections or leased lines.
MPLS VPNs are also used by service providers to offer virtual private network services to their customers. Service providers use a network of MPLS routers to create a virtual private network for each customer, which is completely isolated from other customers' networks.
One of the key advantages of MPLS VPN is its scalability. MPLS VPNs can support thousands of sites and millions of users, making them ideal for large organizations or service providers.
Another advantage of MPLS VPN is its ability to support different types of traffic, including voice, video, and data. MPLS VPNs can prioritize different types of traffic using Quality of Service (QoS) settings, which ensures that mission-critical traffic is given priority over less important traffic.
In summary, MPLS VPN is a technology used to create secure, private networks over a shared infrastructure. It offers scalability, flexibility, and the ability to support different types of traffic, making it an ideal solution for businesses and service providers.
How does MPLS VPN work?
MPLS VPN works by creating a private network over a shared infrastructure using MPLS technology. The network consists of a set of routers that are connected to each other and to customer sites. Each customer site has a router that is connected to the provider's MPLS VPN network, which is responsible for sending and receiving traffic to and from the other sites in the network.
When a packet is sent from a customer site, it is first received by the site's router, also known as the Customer Edge (CE) router. The CE router then adds a label to the packet, which identifies the packet's destination and the network it belongs to. This label is used to forward the packet through the MPLS VPN network.
The labeled packet is then sent to the nearest Provider Edge (PE) router, which is responsible for adding additional labels to the packet and forwarding it to the correct destination. The PE router uses the labels to determine the correct path for the packet to take through the network. The labels are removed from the packet when it reaches its final destination, which is typically another CE router.
Each customer site is assigned a unique Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) table, which ensures that traffic is kept separate between different customers' networks. The VRF table is maintained by the PE router and is responsible for ensuring that traffic is sent to the correct destination.
MPLS VPNs can be configured to support different types of traffic, such as voice, video, and data. This is done by setting up Quality of Service (QoS) settings, which prioritize different types of traffic based on their importance. This ensures that mission-critical traffic is given priority over less important traffic.
In summary, MPLS VPN works by creating a private network over a shared infrastructure using MPLS technology. It uses labels to forward packets through the network and assigns each customer site a unique VRF table to ensure traffic is kept separate. MPLS VPNs can support different types of traffic using QoS settings, which prioritize traffic based on its importance.
What are the advantages of using MPLS VPN?
1. Security: MPLS VPN provides a high level of security for data transmitted over the network. Each customer site is assigned a unique VRF table, which ensures that traffic is kept separate between different customers' networks. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to data and reduces the risk of cyberattacks.
2. Scalability: MPLS VPN is highly scalable, and can support thousands of sites and millions of users. This makes it an ideal solution for large organizations or service providers.
3. Quality of Service: MPLS VPN can prioritize different types of traffic, including voice, video, and data, using Quality of Service (QoS) settings. This ensures that mission-critical traffic is given priority over less important traffic, which helps to ensure that important business processes can continue uninterrupted.
4. Reliability: MPLS VPN is highly reliable, and can provide uptime of 99.999%. This is achieved through the use of redundant connections, automatic failover mechanisms, and other measures designed to ensure that the network is always available.
5. Cost-effective: MPLS VPN can be more cost-effective than traditional VPN solutions, which require expensive dedicated connections or leased lines. With MPLS VPN, businesses can use a shared infrastructure to connect multiple sites, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
6. Flexibility: MPLS VPN is highly flexible, and can be configured to support different types of traffic and network topologies. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses with complex networking requirements.
In summary, MPLS VPN offers a high level of security, scalability, quality of service, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. These advantages make it an ideal solution for businesses and service providers that require a secure and scalable network infrastructure.
What are the disadvantages of using MPLS VPN?
1. Cost: While MPLS VPN can be cost-effective compared to traditional VPN solutions, it can still be more expensive than other options, such as Internet-based VPNs. This is because MPLS VPN requires dedicated hardware and infrastructure, as well as ongoing maintenance and support.
2. Complexity: MPLS VPN can be more complex to set up and maintain than other VPN solutions. This is because it requires specialized expertise to configure and manage the network, which may be beyond the capabilities of smaller organizations.
3. Dependency on Service Provider: MPLS VPN relies on a service provider to manage the network infrastructure. This can be a disadvantage if there are issues with the service provider's network, or if the service provider is slow to respond to support requests.
4. Limited Flexibility: While MPLS VPN is highly flexible, it may not be suitable for all types of network topologies or traffic types. This can be a disadvantage if a business requires a highly customized network solution.
5. Limited Internet Access: MPLS VPN is a closed network, which means that access to the Internet is limited. This can be a disadvantage if a business requires frequent access to the Internet or cloud-based services.
6. Limited Control: MPLS VPN provides limited control over the network infrastructure, as it is managed by the service provider. This can be a disadvantage if a business requires fine-grained control over their network.
In summary, while MPLS VPN offers many advantages, such as security, scalability, and quality of service, there are also several disadvantages to consider, including cost, complexity, and limited control. Businesses should carefully evaluate their networking needs and consider all options before deciding whether MPLS VPN is the right solution for them.
What is the difference between MPLS VPN and IP VPN?
MPLS VPN and IP VPN are two different types of virtual private networks that use different technologies to provide secure and private communication between geographically dispersed sites or users. Here's a detailed comparison of the two:
1. Technology: MPLS VPN uses Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology to create a virtual private network, while IP VPN uses Internet Protocol (IP) technology. MPLS VPN provides a more efficient and scalable way of forwarding packets across a network than IP VPN, as it uses label switching to forward packets based on the label assigned to each packet.
2. Security: Both MPLS VPN and IP VPN provide a high level of security by encrypting data and ensuring that it is only accessible to authorized users. However, MPLS VPN provides an additional layer of security by separating customer traffic using virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) tables, which helps to prevent unauthorized access to network resources.
3. Quality of Service (QoS): MPLS VPN provides a better quality of service than IP VPN, as it can prioritize traffic based on the class of service (CoS) assigned to each packet. This helps to ensure that high-priority traffic, such as voice or video, is given priority over low-priority traffic, such as email or file transfers.
4. Scalability: MPLS VPN is more scalable than IP VPN, as it can support a large number of sites and users without compromising performance or security. This is because MPLS VPN uses label switching to efficiently route traffic across the network, while IP VPN relies on traditional routing protocols, which can be less efficient and more prone to congestion.
5. Cost: IP VPN is typically less expensive than MPLS VPN, as it can be implemented using existing Internet connections, while MPLS VPN requires dedicated hardware and infrastructure.
In summary, while both MPLS VPN and IP VPN provide a high level of security and privacy, MPLS VPN provides a more efficient, scalable, and reliable way of connecting geographically dispersed sites or users, and is more suitable for organizations that require a high level of quality of service and network performance. IP VPN, on the other hand, is a more cost-effective solution that is suitable for smaller organizations or those with less demanding networking needs.
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