Choosing the Right Network Architecture for Business

By  USDR

The modern era is all about choice – there seem to be more options when it comes to almost everything, and none more so than in the world of technology. For both home and business consumers, choice is a good thing, but it can sometimes lead to difficulty in making the right decision. How can you be certain to back the right  horse?

One of the most obvious instances of this dilemma is on the subject of communication networks. Industry experts at The Network Union are inundated with questions over whether MPLS or VPLS is most appropriate for specific business needs. As you might have guessed, there is no simple answer to this, but we can at least demystify the area a little with a look at the pros and cons of  each.

MPLS

Multiprotocol Label Switching is a technique by which network traffic can be directed to prioritize the data that is most  important.

To get a full idea of how it works without getting too techy, all we really need to understand is how it differs from conventional network architecture. In a traditional system, data packets pass through a router, where they are read and information is extracted to work out where the data packet needs to be sent next. Of course, this takes time and puts delays on the overall process. With MPLS, the data packets are given a label, which allows the router to deal with the data packet without having to burrow into it. This makes for faster transmission around the  network.

It also means that your network administrator can use the labels to tell the system which data transfers are the most important, meaning that communications such as VoIP calls can be given top priority to ensure no time lag on  calls.

VPLS

A Virtual Private LAN Service is a protocol that connects two remote networks in a single bridged connection. That is to say, it allows you to connect to a LAN over a  VPN.

The main benefit here is that it facilitates simple communication across geographically distant locations, allowing each party to communicate from a local network. It is ideal for remote connection to an off-site data center or  archive.

Which to  choose?

MPLS is far more customizable and scaleable than VPLS, but of course VPLS has the better security protocols for remote data transmissions, so it really depends on your business’s own  circumstances.

Of course, it is not actually a case of either/or, and some businesses look to a blended approach that combines both  technologies.