MPLS: Definition and additional resources from ZDNet

(1) (MultiProtocol Lambda Switching) The earlier name for GMPLS. See GMPLS.

(2) (MultiProtocol Label Switching) A standard from the IETF for including routing information in the packets of an IP network. MPLS is used to ensure that all packets in a particular flow take the same route over a backbone. Deployed by many telcos and service providers, MPLS can deliver the quality of service (QoS) required to support real time voice and video as well as service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee bandwidth. Large enterprises may also use MPLS in their national networks.

Similar to Cisco's tag switching, an MPLS router attaches labels (tags) containing forwarding information to outgoing IP packets. These "label edge routers" (LERs) sit at the edge of the network and perform the complex packet analysis and classification before the packet enters the core of the network. The routers within the core, known as "label switch routers" (LSRs), quickly examine the label and forward the packet per its directions without having to look up data in tables and compute the forwarding path each time. The edge routers at the receiving end remove the labels.

Following in the tradition of the "dumb network," MPLS enables more decisions to be made at the periphery of the network. See VPLS, GMPLS, dumb network and Diffserv.

An MPLS Core
Using IP and MPLS in the core, a service provider can offer its customers a virtual private VPN service for IP traffic and guarantee bandwidth for real time voice and video.

Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia.
Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc.
All rights reserved.

Additional Resources

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Podcast: Assuring Voice Quality on IP Telephony Rollouts: Download this Webcast in podcast format! IP Telephony deployment changes dramatically when the job grows from "a few sites" to a full company-wide rollout across many locations. Achieving a high level of QoS for VoIP across the WAN and Internet often runs counter to the interests and needs of...; Tags: QoS, Telephony, Webcast, Performance, IP Telephony, IP, VOIP, Performance Management, Podcasts, Telecommunications, Networking, Human Resources, Workforce Management, Internet; Webcasts 2008-05-15
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MPLS Plug-and-Play for Metro Ethernet Networks: Deploying a Carrier-Class MPLS Metropolitan Ethernet Network to Reduce Operating Expense and Network Complexity: This paper will focus on an opportunity to revolutionize the way Metro Ethernet networks are built by applying the concept of MPLS Plug-and-Play, a technology developed by Juniper Networks. MPLS Plug-and-Play offers carriers a way to reduce the operating expense associated with deploying and managing MPLS-based Metro Ethernet networks while...; Tags: MPLS, Network, Juniper Networks Inc., Metro Ethernet, Network Technology, Ethernet, Networking; White papers 2008-04-01

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MATE: MPLS Adaptive Traffic Engineering: Destination-based forwarding in traditional IP routers has not been able to take full advantage of multiple paths that frequently exist in Internet Service Provider Networks. As a result, the networks may not operate efficiently, especially when the traffic patterns are dynamic. This paper describes a multipath adaptive traffic engineering mechanism,...; Tags: MPLS, Network, University Of Michigan, Networking, Network Technology; White papers 2008-01-01
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Neural-Based Quality of Service Estimation in MPLS Routers: The MultiProtocol Label Switching MPLS is being considered as one possible approach for scalable Quality of Service QoS provisioning in the Internet. As MPLS is standardized by Internet Engineering Task Force IETF and is expected to be implemented in the near future, this paper addresses the issue of QoS estimation...; Tags: QoS, MPLS, Network Technology, Networking; White papers 2008-01-01
Multicast Routing Simulator Over MPLS Networks: Multicast and MPLS are two complementary technologies. Merging these two technologies where multicast trees are constructed over MPLS networks will enhance performance and present an efficient solution for multicast scalability and control overhead problems. This paper presents a simulator for multicast routing over an MPLS network where it chooses PIM-SM...; Tags: MPLS, Network Technology, Networking; White papers 2008-01-01
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MPLS ENT - Enterprise Networks over Service Provider MPLS: View Available Dates and LocationsAs MPLS-based networks become more competitively priced, migrating from Frame Relay connections to MPLS backbones makes sense. To optimize and take full advantage of the MPLS-based backbone, you must understand the full implications of the migration including BGP requirements and Quality of Service...; Tags: MPLS, Enterprise Network, Network Technology, BGP, Networking; Training 2008-01-01
MPLS - Implementing Cisco MPLS v2.2: View Available Dates and LocationsThis updated 5-day Authorized Cisco course is designed to introduce you to MPLS concepts, installation, migration, operation, inspection, and troubleshooting. In the first two days, you'll get an overview of MPLS and MPLS operation. After that, you'll concentrate on MPLS VPN deployment. The MPLS fundamentals covered...; Tags: MPLS VPN, MPLS, Cisco Systems Inc., Network Technology, Networking, VPNs; Training 2008-01-01
MPLST - MPLS Traffic Engineering and Other Features: View Available Dates and LocationsMPLST is recommended training for individuals seeking advanced MPLS-based knowledge and skills. Learn technology basics as well as some of the more updated features and functions such as Traffic Engineering, Carrier Supporting Carrier, and Any Transport over MPLS AToM. Focus on technology issues of MPLS from...; Tags: MPLS, Network Technology, Networking; Training 2008-01-01
AQOS - Advanced Cisco Quality of Service: View Available Dates and LocationsThis recently updated 5-day advanced course will teach you to design, configure, test, and troubleshoot end-to-end QoS for enterprise networks based on Cisco best practices. Campus QoS design and WAN QoS design are the two major focus areas of this course. Design considerations...; Tags: QoS, Cisco Systems Inc., WANs, Networking; Training 2008-01-01
ISCW - Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks: View Available Dates and LocationsIn this task-oriented course, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to secure Cisco IOS router networks, expand the reach of your enterprise network to teleworkers and remote sites, and explore implementing a highly available network with connectivity options such as VPN and...; Tags: Global Knowledge Network Inc., Network, Ottawa, Cisco Systems Inc., WANs, Networking, Mergers & Acquisitions, Network Technology, Security, Investment, Finance; Training 2008-01-01
A Scalable Heuristic for Hybrid IGP/MPLS Traffic Engineering - Case Study on an Operational Network: In current IP networks, a classical way to achieve traffic engineering is to optimise the link metrics. This operation cannot be done too often and can affect the route of a lot of traffic. Multiprotocol Label Switching MPLS opens new possibilities to address the limitations of IP systems concerning traffic...; Tags: MPLS, Network, IP, University Of Liege, Traffic Engineering, Network Technology, Networking; White papers 2008-01-01
QoS-Guaranteed Connectivity in MPLS Networks Based on the TINA Network Resource Architecture: Next generation networks demand a structured method to deliver QoS assured connectivity in IP networks. The TINA Network Resource Architecture NRA offers a layered framework that allows connections to be managed in a hierarchical manner. Applying the TINA NRA to MPLS networks provides a prospect to offer quality assurances when...; Tags: QoS, Connectivity, MPLS, Networking, Network Technology; White papers 2008-01-01
Aspects of Network Migration From ATM to MPLS: Many telecoms operators which provide voice services as a significant part of their business have installed in the last decades ATM network to carry the traffic. Choosing ATM as backbone technologies was an obvious choice at that time: ATM can carries voice and data, mostly Frame Relay, providing a good...; Tags: MPLS, Network, Migration, ATM, Network Technology, Networking; White papers 2008-01-01
Dynamic Issues in MPLS Service Restoration: Packet loss and reordering are the most significant negative effects resulting from protection switching. In conventional MPLS networks, the detection and retransmission of out-of-order or lost packets is left to the higher layers, which in effect, degrades the overall performance. This paper proposes a signaling mechanism to minimize the impact...; Tags: MPLS, University Of New Hampshire, Signaling Protocol, Network Technology, Networking; White papers 2008-01-01