MPLS: An Advanced and Affordable Private Network Solution

Designing, supporting, implementing and managing any wide area network is very difficult even for the most advanced organizations. Connecting delocalized workspaces continues to be a technological challenge for businesses around the world. This paper provides a solution to network management problems of medium and small sized businesses and later discusses its implementation by the Star, UK. Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is discussed as a solution to the network management problems of businesses. MPLS is a method of safely connecting several offices. It promotes collaboration and improves business resilience. The paper describes it as combining the flexibility of a public network with the security and speed of a private network. It provides private addressing and segregation of traffic for enhanced security. MPLS which is implemented by Star (of the Cisco network) in UK creates a platform for remote data/voice convergence. Moreover, it is scalable and requires lesser overheads than IPSec VPNs. A central management for connectivity is created from where all elements of the network can be controlled. The paper concludes that the implementation of MPLS shall have positive results on the overall business of an organization. Greater connectivity leads to better efficiency due to enhanced Inter-working.