If you’re someone who isn’t a whiz when it comes to IT, you’d be forgiven for thinking that your IT network is as good as it gets – but this is unlikely to be the case.
IT may seem mystifying, but a network is simply an idea which can be brought to life in numerous configurations, with each of these having benefits and drawbacks. One way to completely overhaul how your business uses IT is by implementing an MPLS system – but if you’re not well-versed in IT, you most likely don’t know what it is.
That’s why in this article we’ve put together a no-nonsense guide to what exactly MPLS IS, as well as what it does, and how it could potentially help your business. Read on to have a look at whether MPLS is the right choice.
The meaning of MPLS
That acronym means nothing to non-IT professionals, so let’s break it down into parts to have a closer look at what it really stands for. MPLS is short for Multi-Protocol Label Switching. That probably also doesn’t mean very much to you, but don’t worry, it’s fairly easy to understand.
The IT devices on your network are using different ‘protocols’ to communicate. This protocol helps the device know how to use the data – think of it like a language. Devices which use the same protocol handle the data which is passed between them in the same way. ‘Multi-protocol’ is referring to how you can implement MPLS on networks which make use of more than a single protocol without having to worry.
As data passes through your an MPLS system, it is given a digital ‘Label’ which has the same effect as a real world label – it’s there to let the network know how to handle the data, and how high a priority to give it.
It’s then the job of a ‘Label Switch Router’ to figure out what label any piece of data has been given, as it goes on to be handled according to its priority. That’s the ‘Switching’ part.
What MPLS Does
So that’s what the acronym means. But what does MPLS actually do? Read on to find out.
You can think of MPLS as essentially being a system that manages your network’s traffic. In a system without MPLS, basically all there is to manage the traffic is the network’s bandwidth – this is the amount of traffic that can pass through it at any given time. In this kind of MPLS-less system, all the data has the exact same priority – this results in low urgency things like emails aren’t considered any less important than the data required to keep a video conference call online – you’d definitely want the latter to be considered more important.
MPLS makes sense of all the chaos – it cleverly pushes traffic through a system based on how high its priority is, thanks to its techniques utilising labels and route switching. Any system which is absolutely vital to keeping your business going will be marked as the top priority, and anything which it wouldn’t matter if there was a minor delay will be marked much lower.
What are the advantages of MPLS?
If MPLS is piquing your interest, you’ll probably want to hear what benefits it can have for your business. In this section we’ll break down some of the most impressive features.
Super simple maintenance
An MPLS system can be much easier on any IT worker who has to work on your network. This is due to the fact that it can make connections between multiple devices and locations so much simpler. Data, once given the right label, can be fired rapidly through a network – even one with sites across countries or even continents. This simplification then means less variables have to be considered whenever your network needs some maintenance work.
Expansion made easy
It can take a massive effort from IT teams in order to expand a network – if an MPLS system is not being used, that is. In a more traditional network, one without MPLS, virtual connections – or ‘tunnels’ – have to be implemented between your location, and where you’re expanding to. These tunnels help keep the data safe as it travels across physical areas. MPLS makes this unnecessary, as it’s job is to route data down the path of the highest efficiency.
Increased data speed
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for busy networks to get congested with data. This occurs when the bandwidth – which we mentioned earlier – is surpassed by the quantity of data attempting to travel the network. Data has to be dropped to fix this issue, which has a negative impact on your service. MPLS makes use of all the routes it can to get high priority data where it needs to be, fast.
A better experience for users
A badly performing network can have huge negative repercussions for any business that uses real-time applications based in the cloud, which is a big shame, as these apps can be extremely useful. MPLS, with its switching techniques, can ensure that these cloud-based apps receive a boost and stay online, meaning customers and other end-users will be even more satisfied with your service.
Is MPLS right for your business?
This is the big question we’ve been discussing in this article. When all is said and done though, only you, and your IT departments, can make that call. If you’re still unsure, consider your answers to the following questions:
- Does your network span multiple areas?
- Does your network work with various types of data?
- Do you use real-time, cloud-based applications to provide services?
- Is congestion ever an issue with your network?
- Would you value the ability to quickly expand to new sites?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those, you may find an MPLS system is a good fit. If you’re considering researching MPLS providers, you’ll want to ensure that you’re getting something that’s a perfect match for what your network, and business, needs. This may take some time, but you should find that the time and money you invest will be well worth it.
