MPLS

 

MPLS (Multi Packet Label Switching) is the protocol, which combines the best of previous protocols such as Frame Relay and ATM and enables companies to integrate their voice, video and data together by providing a class of service for each of the packets as they are transmitted through the network.

 

This document gives the general guide as to why companies would use this. It also covers the connection between the Local Area Network and the Wide Area Network. Packet Shaping Technology is normally required to enable connection and Quality of Service to pass from the Local Area Network into the Wide Area MPLS Network.

 

MPLS as a methodology enables companies to integrate voice, data and video together. The attraction of this in the current market is that companies are able to implement flexible working practices and remote working more easily. Using an MPLS network enables remote workers to log on to the central Head Office and enables the user to collaborate and share applications with other remote workers in with their head office.

 

The attraction of the integrated applications is that the same user can use audio conferencing at the same time as web sharing and video conferencing to enable the user to talk to Head Office, other remote workers and appear as a virtual user and enable interaction between themselves and the other virtual users. The types of companies who use this would be companies with large sales force, remote users or alternatively engineering remote users. Also companies such as architects and engineering companies who need to share documents and work collaboratively to solve problems.

 

The hardware is available and now that MPLS is available as a network protocol the applications can be shared together to provide companies with integrated solutions, which solve business problems.