05-04-2007, 05:55 PM
B]MPLS[/B]
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a standards-approved technology for speeding up network traffic flow and making it easier to manage. MPLS involves setting up a specific path for a given sequence of packets, identified by a label put in each packet, thus saving the time needed for a router to look up the address to the next node to forward the packet to. MPLS is called multiprotocol because it works with the Internet Protocol (IP), Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM), and frame relay network protocols. With reference to the standard model for a network (the Open Systems Interconnection, or OSI model), MPLS allows most packets to be forwarded at the layer 2 (switching) level rather than at the layer 3 (routing) level. In addition to moving traffic faster overall, MPLS makes it easy to manage a network for quality of service (QoS). For these reasons, the technique is expected to be readily adopted as networks begin to carry more and different mixtures of traffic.
Diffserv Vs. MPLS
Diffserv (differentiated services) and MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) are two separate standards which purport to help solve the IP quality problem. Diffserv takes the IP TOS (type of service) field, renames it the DS byte, and uses it to carry information about IP packet service requirements. It operates at Layer 3 only and does not deal with lower layers. On the other hand, MPLS specifies ways that Layer 3 traffic can be mapped to connection-oriented Layer 2 transports like ATM and Frame Relay. MPLS adds a label containing specific routing information to each IP packet and allows routers to assign explicit paths to various classes of traffic. It also offers traffic engineering and techniquest that can boost IP routing efficiency.
So what does this all mean in terms of costs and compatibility? Diffserv relies on traffic conditioners sitting at the edge of the network to indicate each packet's requirements. While MPLS requires investment in a network of sophisticated label-switchin routers capable of reading header information and assigning packets to specific paths like virtual circuits on a switched network.
This is an abstract of the article "Diffserv and MPLS: A Quality Choice" November 21, 1998, Data Communications. See the full article for a detailed description of Diffserv
MPOA Vs MPLS
MPLS combines the best aspects of IP routing and ATM switching. MPLS is a
label switching technology
that uses IP routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS) with traffic engineering
extensions. MPLS works over Layer2 technologies like ATM , Frame Relay,
POS, etc...
MPLS provides connection-oriented behavior, QoS, and traffic engineering
features to an IP network.
MPOA is based on LANE. The objective of MPOA is to provide efficient data
transfer between ELANs (subnets). MPOA provides the idea of shortcut
routing. MPOA consists of clients (MPC) and servers (MPS)
The basics of MPOA are as follows:
A LEC/MPC monitors traffic flow over an ELAN to an MPS-enabled router. When
the ngress LEC/MPC recognizes a flow that could benefit from a shortcut, it
requests a shortcut to the destination thus bypassing the routed path.
MPLS vs. VPN
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) has been called the next great replacement to private lines. But the recent decline in pricing for private lines makes them much cheaper. When should an enterprise look at VPN, and when does MPLS pay?
MPLS' popularity jumped with the growth in network intelligence and service provisioning at the network edge. Verizon was an early user of MPLS, implementing an IP-VPN using an MPLS network. BellSouth rolled out its network VPN in 2003, a Layer 3 MPLS service that carries IP Internet traffic and DSL. AT&T has announced plans to roll out a data network by 2005 that will be based on an MPLS-based IP backbone.
Two of the more advanced MPLS networks are those operated by PowerNet Global and Australia's Telstra. One of PowerNet's subsidiaries, Aleron, has an OC-48 backbone that is a classic MPLS network using MPLS and Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) internally, with traditional IP routing at the edges.
"But VPN is not a dead issue," says Ron Richards, vice president of data and dedicated services for PowerNet Global. It also deals with Qwest, WilTel, Global Crossing, and other carriers.
"Carriers often have MPLS as a backbone for their VPN," Richards says. "We don't sell MPLS as such, but it is there." He compares it to the situation a few years ago when everyone expected ATM to replace frame relay. ATM took over the backbone networks, but frame still is popular.
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a standards-approved technology for speeding up network traffic flow and making it easier to manage. MPLS involves setting up a specific path for a given sequence of packets, identified by a label put in each packet, thus saving the time needed for a router to look up the address to the next node to forward the packet to. MPLS is called multiprotocol because it works with the Internet Protocol (IP), Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM), and frame relay network protocols. With reference to the standard model for a network (the Open Systems Interconnection, or OSI model), MPLS allows most packets to be forwarded at the layer 2 (switching) level rather than at the layer 3 (routing) level. In addition to moving traffic faster overall, MPLS makes it easy to manage a network for quality of service (QoS). For these reasons, the technique is expected to be readily adopted as networks begin to carry more and different mixtures of traffic.
Diffserv Vs. MPLS
Diffserv (differentiated services) and MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) are two separate standards which purport to help solve the IP quality problem. Diffserv takes the IP TOS (type of service) field, renames it the DS byte, and uses it to carry information about IP packet service requirements. It operates at Layer 3 only and does not deal with lower layers. On the other hand, MPLS specifies ways that Layer 3 traffic can be mapped to connection-oriented Layer 2 transports like ATM and Frame Relay. MPLS adds a label containing specific routing information to each IP packet and allows routers to assign explicit paths to various classes of traffic. It also offers traffic engineering and techniquest that can boost IP routing efficiency.
So what does this all mean in terms of costs and compatibility? Diffserv relies on traffic conditioners sitting at the edge of the network to indicate each packet's requirements. While MPLS requires investment in a network of sophisticated label-switchin routers capable of reading header information and assigning packets to specific paths like virtual circuits on a switched network.
This is an abstract of the article "Diffserv and MPLS: A Quality Choice" November 21, 1998, Data Communications. See the full article for a detailed description of Diffserv
MPOA Vs MPLS
MPLS combines the best aspects of IP routing and ATM switching. MPLS is a
label switching technology
that uses IP routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS) with traffic engineering
extensions. MPLS works over Layer2 technologies like ATM , Frame Relay,
POS, etc...
MPLS provides connection-oriented behavior, QoS, and traffic engineering
features to an IP network.
MPOA is based on LANE. The objective of MPOA is to provide efficient data
transfer between ELANs (subnets). MPOA provides the idea of shortcut
routing. MPOA consists of clients (MPC) and servers (MPS)
The basics of MPOA are as follows:
A LEC/MPC monitors traffic flow over an ELAN to an MPS-enabled router. When
the ngress LEC/MPC recognizes a flow that could benefit from a shortcut, it
requests a shortcut to the destination thus bypassing the routed path.
MPLS vs. VPN
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) has been called the next great replacement to private lines. But the recent decline in pricing for private lines makes them much cheaper. When should an enterprise look at VPN, and when does MPLS pay?
MPLS' popularity jumped with the growth in network intelligence and service provisioning at the network edge. Verizon was an early user of MPLS, implementing an IP-VPN using an MPLS network. BellSouth rolled out its network VPN in 2003, a Layer 3 MPLS service that carries IP Internet traffic and DSL. AT&T has announced plans to roll out a data network by 2005 that will be based on an MPLS-based IP backbone.
Two of the more advanced MPLS networks are those operated by PowerNet Global and Australia's Telstra. One of PowerNet's subsidiaries, Aleron, has an OC-48 backbone that is a classic MPLS network using MPLS and Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) internally, with traditional IP routing at the edges.
"But VPN is not a dead issue," says Ron Richards, vice president of data and dedicated services for PowerNet Global. It also deals with Qwest, WilTel, Global Crossing, and other carriers.
"Carriers often have MPLS as a backbone for their VPN," Richards says. "We don't sell MPLS as such, but it is there." He compares it to the situation a few years ago when everyone expected ATM to replace frame relay. ATM took over the backbone networks, but frame still is popular.
