Today’s networks are rapidly evolving
from traditional transmission technologies to IP (Internet protocol) technologies. IP technology provides adaptive and
flexible connectivity, making it a fit for a variety of uses. One form of IP technology currently driving that evolution is MPLS, or multiprotocol label switching, says Bill Capraro,
President/CEO of CIMCO Communications.
Smart Business learned more from
Capraro about MPLS and how converged
networks can save you money.
What is MPLS?
MPLS technology converges two separate
networks — voice and data — onto one IP
telephony network. In essence, it is a traffic
manager that supports multiple service models, which is why one network can support
both voice and data traffic. Leading carriers
around the world have adopted MPLS,
which is one of the fastest-growing wide-area network (WAN) technologies. It provides the performance and privacy of legacy
WAN technologies and the flexibility and
cost advantages of IP networks.
What traditional telephony technology does
MPLS replace?
Today, MPLS is rapidly replacing more traditional technologies, such as Frame Relay
and ATM. It provides interoperability with
existing networks, both traditional and IP.
Previously, each service needed its own network and management system.
Originally, frame relay aimed to make more
efficient use of existing physical resources
but acquired a negative image because of excessive bandwidth overbooking by telecommunication carriers. It is considered ‘under-provisioned,’ since a business does not use its
frame relay service 100 percent of the time.
MPLS is a private networking capability
delivered in a cloud, similar to frame relay,
but the labeling capability of MPLS does
away with under-provisioning and allows a
business quality of service (QoS) across a
WAN. Any application working well on a
frame relay will work better using MPLS.
Using the QoS capabilities of MPLS, performance of such applications as Citrix,
SAP, Oracle, Siebel, Peoplesoft, VoIP and video can dramatically improve quality and
productivity.
What are the advantages of switching to
MPLS?
In addition to decreasing the cost of operating separate voice and data networks,
MPLS, which provides a unified network, is
very scalable, unlike hardwired traditional
telecom technologies. Frame relay was originally designed to operate at speeds of under
T3, and ATM has a minimal bandwidth of T1.
MPLS-based services can scale from a low-bandwidth to a very high bandwidth with no
defined upper limit. This level of flexibility is
appealing to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as large enterprises.
A unified network also provides businesses other advantages, including:
- Simplification and more convenience
for the end-user - A path for a business to migrate to next-generation IP telephony
- Predetermining and maintaining a consistent QoS on the WAN
- Enhanced network security and privacy
of data - Any-to-any connectivity over the WAN
What types of businesses should consider
migrating to MPLS technology?
All types and sizes of businesses like the
idea of one provider for the triple play of
services (voice, data and video) to lower
costs. MPLS allows for lower overall costs
by allowing legacy networks and technologies to operate in newer environments.
Enterprises and SMBs equally are challenged to equip remote locations in a way
that keeps costs under control and minimizes
complexity. Many companies have a significant number of employees located outside of
the headquarters, and they must ensure that
remote employees have all of the same capabilities as employees at headquarters.
Larger enterprises have escalating demands for data services that are fast, secure
and low cost. Many Fortune 500 global companies are moving to more virtual employees due to increasing costs of office real
estate, commuting costs resulting from congestion and gas prices and physically moving
employees from one location to another.
This trend is enhanced by globalization and
new technologies where physically having
employees in one location is less necessary.
SMB customers continue to be the most
sought-after segment. The cost efficiency of
MPLS provides SMBs the capability to
expand both data and voice networks to
remote locations; something they previously
thought was not affordable.
What industries have taken the most advantage of this new technology?
Among vertical segments, the financial
service sector is typically ahead of others in
moving to new technology, particularly since
passage of Sarbanes-Oxley. Health care is
one of the fastest-growing verticals, which is
now moving from a technology laggard as
the demographics drive overall growth in
this sector. With changing technology and
many solutions available, any business in
any industry can take advantage of MPLS
and other IP technologies.
BILL CAPRARO is President/CEO of CIMCO Communications, based in the Chicago metropolitan area. Reach him at (630) 691-8080
or [email protected].