Everything You Need to Know About MPLS Networking Solutions
Part of valuing company resources is leveraging them as efficiently as possible. With MPLS (multiprotocol label switching), you can see that philosophy in action. MPLS focuses on labelling packets of data to pre-determine where the traffic goes on a company network.
But MPLS and efficient resource use can go a step further. While companies can manage connection layers on their own network, it’s possible to hire third-party services to better streamline data. This is especially helpful when using connections outside the business premise, such as with remote location solutions.
So does your business need some form of MPLS solution, whether maintained by the organization or by a vendor? To make this decision, you’ll want to take a look at some of the benefits.
Vendor Benefits
There are numerous advantages to hiring a third-party vendor for MPLS networking. While including all the packet management that is traditionally part of label switching, there’s a few extra bonuses.
1. Customer support. Short on IT staff? A vendor is a great way to fix that issue. It’s not uncommon for vendors to offer 24/7 customer support, meaning you can get answers to problems which may occur with router switches or packet management. Essentially, it’s always good to have the ability to get in touch with an expert.
2. Better bandwidth performance. Network speed is guaranteed to increase. By determining where packets will go, businesses refine how their resources are used. Imagine cars using all one highway, and how much traffic this creates.
But with an MPLS offered business solution, those cars (the packets) are routed to different roads, streamlining everything. It’s a significant advantage when dealing with connections from various entry points.
3. Maintenance. No doubt, the installation of routers and switches to determine the best route for packets is a lengthy process. Additionally, there’s also the need to maintain, update, and monitor each switch and connection for problems, which incurs maintenance costs and time.
But, through a vendor, these costs associated with maintenance are redacted. Additionally, IT resources are freed up to focus on company needs since the vendor will handle the updating and monitoring processes instead.
4. Scalability. Finally, vendors can scale resources as necessary, reducing or increasing bandwidth allocation services upon request. This type of flexibility works well for companies that need to budget carefully or who need a responsive, expanding network which can handle various new entry connections.
These key vendor benefits are common with most MPLS providers. Outside of vendors, it’s also possible for companies to handle packet pre-identification on their own. This gives them more control and reduces potential costs, but they must handle maintenance, installation, and updates on their own.
When your organization needs to streamline multiple network connections and consolidate them into different “lanes” of traffic, label switching is one of the ideal solutions. Using this brief of information, you should be able to make the decision whether you need a vendor or want company resources to handle the functions of MPLS.
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