Just What Is MPLS, What Does It Do, And Where Can You Get It?

Your boss has put you in charge of finding a replacement for your frame relay. Your service is slow, expensive, and inflexible. Someone in your IT department mentions MPLS, but those initials are foreign to you.

Don't panic...read on to learn what MPLS is and what it can do for you:

* Multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) was invented to solve the problem of bridging multiple disparate protocols such as Frame Relay, ATM and Ethernet.

* Over the last few years, MPLS has won the battle within core networks and has become the dominant internetworking technology.

* Carriers have deployed IP/MPLS core routers in order to support existing legacy networks more cost effectively.

* Fundamentally, MPLS employs an encapsulation technique providing internetworking between different technologies, coupled with signaling protocols necessary to discover, configure and manage connectivity.

* In addition to signaling protocols, MPLS uses resiliency protocols, such as Fast Re-route and Bi-directional Fault Detection, to determine failures and in turn switching to standby links.

* The strength of these protocols combined with the popularity of MPLS core networks have made MPLS a logical choice for extending into metro networks.

* Vendors have responded by creating MPLS-enabled multi-service platforms with a mixture of legacy port options.

MPLS combines the multi-service and traffic management capabilities of ATM with the scalability of packet networks to create a best-of-breed service provider network. Key drivers towards MPLS deployment include:

* Cost reduction through data network convergence: MPLS facilitates the convergence of disparate Frame Relay, ATM, Ethernet and IP networks onto a single infrastructure to reduce capital and operational expenses.

* Integration of voice, video and data services: MPLS's traffic management capabilities enable this services "triple play" on a common backbone.

* New high-margin revenue opportunities through MPLS-based service offerings: MPLS's flexibility, high availability and multi-service support enables service providers to offer strict SLAs, increasing revenue and margins.

MPLS can lower operational costs by integrating multiple services onto a common backbone; has integrated capabilities which enable service providers to offer strict SLAs and thereby increase revenue and margins; and facilitates the convergence of disparate Frame Relay, ATM, Ethernet and IP networks onto a single infrastructure to reduce capital and operating expenses.

Next question.....which providers offer this service and how do you find out if it is available in all of your locations?

Easy answer....take advantage of the free consultative services of a bandwidth broker such as DS3-Bandwidth.com. They specialize in finding just the right bandwidth solutions to fit any business application requirement. They'll do all the research for your company including negotiating the best rates from available vendors in your area.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

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