MPLS, or ‘multiprotocol label switching’ has become a popular solution for businesses looking to optimise their IT data delivery; offering powerful flexibility, MPLS simplifies processing to improve efficiency. In this article, we’ve delved into the details of what MPLS is and how it works, as well as the benefits and considerations to be aware of.
What is multiprotocol label switching?
So, what is MPLS in networking? Well, multiprotocol label switching is a popular IT technology that helps you more-effectively route data, including across LAN, WAN, and cloud-based networks.
It achieves this by assigning a ‘label’ to each data packet, which is used to identify what the data represents and where it needs to go – eliminating the need for your router to fully-examine the data, which can be time- and resource-consuming. In simple terms, MPLS helps data find where it needs to be with speed and reliability.
An introduction to cloud-based MPLS
Cloud-based MPLS, often referred to simply as C-MPLS, uses virtual infrastructure to deliver MPLS services; rather than relying on physical, on-premises hardware, you’re able to ‘rent’ the service from a cloud provider, who will typically manage and maintain the architecture for you.
How does MPLS work?
MPLS is a complex technology that simplifies the process of managing and delivering data. The typical steps involved in MPLS are:
1. Labelling your data
When your data enters your MPLS network, it’ll be assigned a ‘label’. This label essentially includes all the information that’s relevant to the data, including explaining what it is and where it needs to be delivered.
2. Forwarding your data
Once your data is properly-labelled, it’s time to forward it to the appropriate network location. Your MPLS network will typically use a ‘forwarding table’ to determine the full journey for each data packet (based on its label properties), with the table configured to automate the process. In simple terms, it’s essentially a map that tells your routers where to direct data.
3. Removing the label
When your data reaches its intended destination, the label that helped get it there is finally removed, and the packet is processed. The entire process is simple, efficient, and reliable.
Why use MPLS?
There are various reasons to choose MPLS networking for your business. We’ve identified five key benefits of this model, from scalability and security to performance and cost-efficiency.
Though, of course, if you’re interested in learning more, reach out to our team who’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!
Network performance
Due to the speed and efficiency in which data packets are directed through an MPLS network, high performance is an inevitability.
Labelling data with all the relevant information means routers no longer need to perform extensive processing, which results in faster forwarding and reduced latency; this leads to real-time data processing and improves application deployment and user experience.
Flexibility
MPLS is a highly flexible data processing solution, making it a valuable addition to any business’ IT infrastructure. Its model allows you to fully-control the flow of data, manage traffic congestion, and prioritise effectively; so specific applications receive the bandwidth they need.
What’s more, MPLS is compatible with other IT technologies, including VPNs and cloud native computing, meaning you can quickly and directly deploy data across multiple sites.
Scalability
MPLS networks offer significant scalability, largely thanks to the flexible, label-based system. While building an MPLS network can be complex, the principle is relatively simple; each data packet is assigned a label, which signifies where it needs to be delivered across the network. This mechanism can be easily-adapted to suit changing business demands and varying traffic patterns, without the need to alter the infrastructure.
Security
Introducing MPLS into your IT infrastructure can enhance the security of data being delivered across a network. For instance, data traffic can be segmented into various categories, depending on various criteria – allowing you to separate sensitive and non-sensitive data; less-critical information can be handled with increased flexibility, while additional resources can be spent ensuring high-value data is effectively handled across the full process.
Cost efficiency
Finally, cost efficiency is a strong benefit of MPLS. Not only does it simplify resource management, but it being effective at scaling – whether growing or contracting – means you’re rarely (if ever) using more resource than required.
This optimised resource utilisation, combined with low latency and high performance can significantly save on costs vs alternative models.
What to consider before choosing MPLS
While there are many benefits of MPLS, it’s important to also make an informed decision as to whether it’s right for your business. Here, we’ve explored the considerations to make before integrating MPLS into your IT infrastructure…
Network complexity
MPLS is especially-well-suited to large, complex networks where speed and efficiency can make a significant difference. Similarly, MPLS might be a great solution if your network is spread over multiple sites. If your infrastructure is relatively basic or small-scale, there might be more cost-effective solutions to consider.
Traffic patterns and predictability
While MPLS is highly flexible and can quickly adapt to changing resource requirements, it also works best when your network offers a level of predictability. So, if you experience significant, unexpected fluctuations, chat with an advisor about whether this is the best fit for your business.
Internal expertise
While the process of labelling and directing data packets seems simple, managing an MPLS network requires complex knowledge and IT skills. If you’re going to go down this route, you’ll need to consider either working with a specialist consultant or investing in training internal teams.
Interested in learning more about MPLS?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to use MPLS (including alongside cloud technology) or want to discover the ways it can benefit your business, get in touch with our experts to discuss your bespoke requirements.
In the meantime, explore lots more insight over on our blog, including our guide covering the relationship between MPLS and WAN and how to increase agility with SD-WAN and MPLS.
