You tend to forget when your network is running alright that it could be running much better, particularly if you don’t have the IT knowledge to know how you’d go about improving it. The reality is that your network can likely be made more efficient in a myriad of ways through the use of different technologies.
One of these methods is to implement an MPLS system into your network. This technology has the potential to revolutionize your network infrastructure; however, that’s only if you know how best to use it. That’s why we’re here to talk you through what MPLS is, how it works, and what it can bring to your business.
What Is An MPLS System?
You may have felt lost listening to IT professionals talk about MPLS if you don’t know the jargon behind it –that’s why the best way to understand it is to break down the language in the acronym. The letters stand for Multi–Protocol Label Switching, but don’t feel confused just yet –it’s simpler than it sounds!
You might have heard a protocol described as being similar to a language, but in reality, it’s more like a list of rules used in communication by IT devices to explain how data must be used. This is vital –data sent between two devices can be handled in the same way if they’re dealing with the same protocol, with ‘Multi–Protocol’ referring to the fact that the MPLS system can work with networks where more than one protocol is being used.
Next, the ‘Label’ part is actually similar to how we use labels outside of the virtual world. Essentially, a label is a little piece of data that gets attached to data going along the network –it indicates the level of priority, and therefore how the network needs to handle it. Lastly, the ‘Switching’ is referring to how a Label Switch Router reads the label attached to the data and uses this information to send it down the most efficient path.
How Does MPLS Work?
So, now you understand what the term MPLS means, we can get onto how an MPLS system actually works!
It’s useful to see it as a way of managing the data traffic within your network, similar to a police officer directing traffic –without their guidance, all the data is trying to find an opening with no sense of order or priority! This can result in less important data, such as non–urgent video calls
and low priority file sharing, taking up all the space that your high priority data needs to keep your business running smoothly.
A network can get chaotic without an MPLS system in place. Alternatively, if you install a route switching system like this, then the data can be dynamically routed according to changing priorities. For example, data from a mission critical application will be tagged as the highest possible priority, meaning that less important data won’t take up the space it needs, and the most important operations aren’t delayed. This can be a crucial part of making sure your most important systems are up and running at all times –ultimately making sure your end–users and customers can keep things moving in the right direction!
What Can MPLS Bring To Your Business?
So what benefits can you hope to see if you make the decision to install an MPLS system into your business network?
A Better End User Experience
Most businesses now use cloud–based applications every day for a huge range of purposes –while there are some clear benefits to doing this, there’s also a whole set of problems that comes with them, usually arising from issues caused by bad network connections. When you implement an MPLS, the switching function will give these applications a boost, letting them operate far more reliably. If you regularly face performance issues, this could hugely improve the experience for end users.
Faster Speeds
Almost every business owner has experienced the frustration of a poor connection during busier moments in the office; this occurs because of network congestion, which happens when the amount of data trying to pass through is higher than the available bandwidth, resulting in data being dropped. Because MPLS reroutes traffic onto non–standard paths, all the data will be delivered, with the most important a plications receiving the correct level of priority,
Quicker Expansion To New Sites
If you’ve ever had to expand your network before, you’ll know that it isn’t simple –setting up virtual connections between your office and the new location can be hampered by a range of issues. When you use an MPLS system, however, you can make sure that data is always taking the best route to a destination –no need for extra safeguarding.
Ease and Simplicity
Implementing MPLS results in massively simplified connections between the locations and devices in your network –a simpler system almost always means an easier time maintaining
performance and troubleshooting problems. The labels on the data make it so that data packets can be fast–tracked along the network, removing unnecessary additions that get in the way of IT professionals doing their job.
Should You Choose MPLS?
Clearly we think that MPLS could be hugely beneficial for your company, but ultimately it’s a choice that lies with you and your IT staff. You maywant to also consider the following questions while you’re deciding:
Do you depend on real time services?●
Does your network service different locations?●
Would your business benefit from the ability to bring new sites onboard quickly?
●Does your network handle multiple data types?●
Does your network performance suffer from delays and congestion?
If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, then an MPLS system is likely a good call, and your next step is to find the best provider for the job. This isn’t always a straightforward process, but it’s a necessary one if you want to make the most of your MPLS system.