{"id":8565,"date":"2015-05-06T16:25:58","date_gmt":"2015-05-06T23:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aerocominc.com\/?p=8565"},"modified":"2017-05-12T10:05:24","modified_gmt":"2017-05-12T17:05:24","slug":"7-access-technologies-your-mpls-network-needs-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerocominc.com\/info\/7-access-technologies-your-mpls-network-needs-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Access Technologies Your MPLS Network Needs to Know [White Paper]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is Your MPLS Too Slow?<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"Too<\/a><\/p>\n

When looking to upgrade your MPLS<\/a><\/span> network speed, access types are plentiful and not all providers offer every type, so it\u2019s important to know your options and ask several providers what they offer. By finding an MPLS provider who has optimal access technologies available at your specific sites, you will get a much faster network at a fraction of the cost. Here is a sampling:<\/p>\n

#1 DSL<\/strong><\/span>
\nYes, some providers offer MPLS over DSL, and this is a great fit for small sites or back-up connections. For instance, this technology is great for a company with a lot of small retail locations. Pricing is fantastic but upload speed is typically capped at 1M.<\/p>\n

#2 T1<\/strong><\/span>
\nT1 MPLS access is probably the technology you have today. It\u2019s available almost anywhere and although it maxes out at 1.5M, T1\u2019s can be bonded up to aggregate of approx. 10.5M \u2013 12M (download and upload). After that, it\u2019s time to upgrade to DS3 or an Ethernet technology. T1\u2019s are a good MPLS access technology if you have a moderate-sized location (i.e. 20-50 users) that needs 10M or less bandwidth and EoC, Fiber or Wireless is not available.<\/p>\n

#3 DS3<\/strong><\/span>
\nDS3 MPLS access is also readily available with most service providers and maxes out at 45M (download and upload), but can still be purchased as fractional or burstable with some providers. DS3 access is what you should consider for large sites (i.e. 50+ users), that need big bandwidth but do not have Fiber, Wireless or EoC available.<\/p>\n

#4 Ethernet over Copper<\/strong><\/span>
\nEthernet over Copper (EoC) is an MPLS access technology that can reach speeds over 50M (download and upload), and is relatively inexpensive. However, its availability is very fickle. Not every provider offers this technology and not every central office is equipped for it. In addition, EoC is delivered over copper pairs and therefore (like DSL), it is subject to signal degradation if your location is beyond approx. 15,000 feet from the central office. If it\u2019s available, buy it. It comes with the same Service Level Agreement (SLA)<\/a><\/span> as fiber but is usually less expensive and is very reliable, considering the service provider always provisions extra \u201cback-up\u201d copper pairs in case any of the main copper pairs \u201cgo bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

#5 Ethernet over T1 or DS3<\/strong><\/span>
\nEthernet over T1 (EoT1) and Ethernet over DS3 (EoDS3) have the same exact speeds and similar pricing as regular T1 and DS3. The difference is that it gives you an Ethernet handoff rather than a T1 or DS3 handoff for your MPLS connection. This allows you to save money on the MPLS router, especially comparing it to a DS3-handoff-capable router. Routers with a T1 card aren\u2019t cheap and a router that takes a DS3 card will cost you a fortune. Although some providers call it by this name, with most providers, asking for \u201cEoT1\u201d or \u201cEoDS3\u201d is another way of asking them for a T1 or DS3 with a managed router.<\/p>\n

#6 Ethernet over Fixed (Microwave) Wireless<\/span>\"\"<\/strong>
\nAnother way to deliver MPLS access is over a fixed (microwave) wireless connection. Microwave wireless is relatively inexpensive, can deliver speeds from 1M \u2013 1G+ and is handed off to your router as Ethernet. Microwave, however, is not offered by every provider and must be line-of-site to the provider\u2019s antenna. Therefore, availability is complicated. An in-person site survey is always required to determine true availability. Ethernet over Fixed (microwave) Wireless is a solid access technology if you need bandwidth over 10M, but neither EoC or Fiber are available. Don\u2019t worry about the old rumor that it\u2019s affected by weather, the technology has been greatly improved since its inception and weather will affect it only about as much as weather affects wireline service. In other words, almost never.<\/p>\n

#7 Ethernet over Fiber<\/strong><\/span>
\nEthernet over Fiber (also referred to as “Fast Ethernet” \u201cFast-E\u201d or \u201cMetro Ethernet\u201d), is a fiber MPLS connection with speed options up to multi-Gigabit, handed off to your site via an Ethernet cable. Fiber is relatively inexpensive but availability is fickle, depending on location and provider. Assuming it\u2019s available, Fiber is your best option if you need a 100M+ MPLS connection.<\/p>\n

What about\u2026???<\/strong><\/span>
\nOther access technologies you may have heard of are 4G Cellular<\/a><\/span>, Business-Class Cable and A-Synchronous Ethernet. Although these are all fantastic, inexpensive backup Internet access technologies for your MPLS connection, you won\u2019t find providers offering true MPLS over connections like these.<\/p>\n

So what do I do now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In summary, the best thing to do is to make a spreadsheet of your locations, along with your bandwidth requirements at each site. From the definitions above, determine your top three desired access technologies for each site. Next, approach each prospective MPLS service provider and ask them if they offer these technologies. If so, have them see which is available at each site. If not, put that provider on the back-burner until you have first tried searching providers that at least could offer it, if available at that site.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t feel like doing all of that work, great news\u2026you don\u2019t have to! That\u2019s where AeroCom will help, at no cost. \u00a0Click the button below to have an AeroCom expert quote all the top MPLS providers and find your company’s top 3 today.<\/p>\n