IP MPLS stands for Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching. IP MPLS is a routing system that enables fast data switching from one node to the next based on labels. Commonly, the packets in IP networks need to consider the destination addresses to control the function of the routers, which takes time. IP MPLS finds an alternative to this process by switching packets based on the label.
MPLS uses a layer that is typically considered to lie between definitions of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layer 2 and Layer 3. It is designed to provide a unified data-carrying service for both circuit-based and packet-switching clients, providing a datagram service model. MPLS can carry many different kinds of traffic, including IP packets. Ribbon's IP MPLS provides networking solutions for service providers and multi-service operators, critical infrastructure networks, and enterprise and private networks.
Is MPLS a Protocol?
Not really, it's actually a protocol-independent solution. MPLS assigns labels to each data packet, controlling the path the packet follows. MPLS significantly improves traffic speed, so users don't experience downtime when connected to the network.
MPLS is scalable and protocol-independent. In an MPLS network, labels are assigned to data packets, and the packet-forwarding decisions are made only on the contents of this label, so the packet does not need to be examined. This allows for end-to-end circuits across any type of transport medium, using any protocol. This eliminates the dependence on a particular OSI model data link layer (layer 2) technology, such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET), or Ethernet, and eliminate the need for multiple layer-2 networks for different types of traffic.
Multiprotocol label switching is from packet-switched networks. Ribbon's Neptune product line has several switches that make up the transport part of those networks.
What is the difference between IP and MPLS?
In MPLS, traffic switching is based on a unidirectional predetermined path, known as the label switch path assigned to the networks' packets. In IP Routing no predetermined path is set for traffic switching, and packets are passed through several routers through a hop-by-hop transport before reaching the destination IP address.
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