Reasons Why MPLS Is Proving That It Is Far from Being Obsolete

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) has been the best option for businesses searching for a stable internet connection for the last two decades. With innovations like SD-WAN approaching, there is a danger that MPLS connectivity will become outdated. This is untrue, as business leaders have learned to trust MPLS over the years. The high-speed, low-loss connectivity, predictable Quality-of-Service (QoS), video conferencing, and rich media make MPLS an undefeated choice.

Despite the hype generated by SD-WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), MPLS remains a top enterprise WAN option. As per research firm IMARC Group, the worldwide managed MPLS market touched $60B in 2022 and is forecasted to grow to $80.6B by 2028. SD-WAN, in contrast, was a fraction of the size of MPLS in 2022, reaching only $4B, according to Global Market Insights.

Vendors offering newer, cloud-based WAN services often deride the drawbacks of an MPLS connection, especially its cost, and its complexity. This has not stopped MPLS from still being a phenomenal force in the WAN market.

Let us understand why MPLS has a strong foothold in the WAN market and will not become obsolete anytime soon. With enterprises continuing to expand, MPLS will remain a top choice for a range of use cases that range from DR to fast connectivity and from mission-critical apps to low-loss bandwidth for video and voice.

Understanding the significance of MPLS

MPLS works by directing data packets across pre-defined paths within a network. Unlike traditional internet routing, which relies on complex calculations for each packet, MPLS uses labels to streamline traffic flow. This translates to faster and more predictable data transfer, making it ideal for applications that require low latency and high uptime, such as video conferencing, cloud applications, and VoIP calls.

Here’s a breakdown of some key benefits of MPLS:

• Increased Reliability: Predefined paths make MPLS less susceptible to network congestion, leading to a more reliable connection.
• Improved Security: MPLS networks often offer built-in security features like traffic encryption for added protection.
• Scalability: MPLS networks can be easily scaled to accommodate growing bandwidth demands.

The Debate: Is MPLS Dead?

The emergence of Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) has sparked discussions about the potential obsolescence of MPLS. SD-WAN offers greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness for businesses with geographically dispersed locations. However, MPLS does not offer this without its supporters. Here’s a closer look at both sides of the argument:

Advantages of SD-WAN:

• Cost-efficiency: SD-WAN can leverage multiple connections, including public internet, for a potentially lower overall cost.
• Agility: SD-WAN offers greater flexibility in managing and provisioning network resources.
• Simplified Management: A centralised management console simplifies network control for geographically dispersed locations.

Advantages of MPLS:

• Unmatched Reliability: MPLS connections provide a dedicated, high-performance connection ideal for latency-sensitive applications.
• Security: MPLS networks often have built-in security features that SD-WAN might lack.
• Guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS): MPLS prioritises critical traffic, ensuring consistent performance for essential applications.

5 Reasons Why MPLS Will Endure in the Future

While SD-WAN presents a compelling alternative for some businesses, MPLS remains a powerful solution for organisations with specific requirements. Here are five reasons why future MPLS connections are likely to stay relevant:

1. The Traffic Engineering And Quality Of Service (QoS) In MPLS Is Wide

Its wide capacity for traffic engineering and Quality of Service (QoS) is a feature that makes an MPLS network connection stand out.  With MPLS, network administrators can manage and prioritise traffic based on specific criteria. This makes sure that critical applications receive the required bandwidth and our protected from possible congestion.

2.   MPLS Is Highly Scalable

Scalability is a constant worry when ventures develop and their organisation’s needs increase. Nonetheless, with MPLS this is not a worry, as MPLS is profoundly versatile and empowers enterprises to grow their network flawlessly. With the profoundly adaptable design of MPLS, the expansion of new networks can be effectively obliged alongside the expansion in volume.

3.  MPLS Network Offers Greater Security And Privacy

With MPLS connectivity, you will not need to stress over security or protection, as it offers a secure system for information transmission through a label-switching mechanism. Using VPNs inside the MPLS framework, communication channels between worldwide locations can be established. With an MPLS network, confidentiality and data integrity are completely non-negotiable.

4.  MPLS Supports Quality Routing

MPLS can be effortlessly configured to enable the use of multiple routes between a source and destination. This is because MPLS supports multipath routing. This feature of MPLS enhances network resilience by offering redundancy and contributes to efficient resource utilisation and load balancing. The capability of MPLS future networking to leverage multiple paths ensures that enterprises can maintain optimal performance even during network congestion or failures.

5. MPLS Is Robust Against DDoS Attacks

By utilising the MPLS network, businesses can profit by forming defensive layers against (DDoS) assaults. Through the division and separation of traffic inside an MPLS network, the effects of DDoS assaults can be reduced. This will ensure that essential services will continue to remain in operation., The security feature of MPLS adds an extra layer of protection for enterprises that are especially prone to cyber-attacks.

The Road Ahead for MPLS

MPLS is not a dying technology; it is evolving. As businesses embrace cloud applications and explore new technologies like IoT, the demand for reliable and secure WAN solutions will only grow. MPLS will continue to play a vital role, potentially in conjunction with SD-WAN, to meet the ever-changing needs of businesses in the digital age.

Wrapping up

MPLS is slated to advance and adjust to the current changing business landscape. In opposition to expectations of MPLS being out-of-date, it has continued to remain strong with its reliability, performance, scalability, security features, and compatibility with emerging technologies. With enterprises, continuing to look for prioritised reliable, secure, and scalable networking solutions, MPLS remains on top of the list as a networking technology that not only addresses but exceeds expectations. 

Airtel Business