Switch to MPLS with the Help of This Guide

You’ve heard about MPLS before, but never really took the time to understand the technology. It is one of the most common and most efficient technologies used for businesses today. If you are looking for a network technology that is protective of your private and sensitive data while delivering it fast and seamless, then you should consider MPLS. Here is a brief breakdown of MPLS and how the technology works.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a technology designed for the improvement
of network traffic flow along with its management. The main purpose of MPLS is to
create the most efficient use of the network router. MPLS uses specific paths that are
linked up to each packet that provides the router with the address of the next connection
that the packet will be sent.

A label is included in each packet which provides the path to make the delivery more
efficient. The content of the label is the importance in the decision making of where it
should be forwarded. There is no need for a routing table lookup anytime a packet comes
into the router. Ultimately, the label is removed once the final router location is found
and a method of predestination is set up for future “packets”. This process is continually
repeating and thus creating a faster delivery of data for your network.

How the Technology Works 

What is Label Switching?

Label switching is different from a traditional IP network as it does not use the method of
“next-hop” but instead locates the final destination router. This method is more effective
since a predetermined path is created from one location to the final router. A “label” is
created with the information so that future routers will not need to perform any additional
IP lookups. The “label” is removed once the final destination is found and the packet is
delivered via normal IP routing.

Why Label Switching?

Label Switching reduces the processing time on the core routers. This is achieved by
having the first router do an IP lookup and then exact match “switching” can be done in
the future. It also can implement traffic engineering where traffic is controlled and routed
on the network to manage capacity while prioritizing different services. Label switching
also allows the ability to deliver data transport services across the same packet-switched
network infrastructure. There is also the improvement of network resiliency with MPLS
Fast Reroute. (See our youtube video for more MPLS information!)
Ready to enhance your business? Get set up with MPLS and teaming up with an
AeroCom Genius today!

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