In this lesson, we're going to talk about MPLS.
MPLS or the Multiprotocol Label Switching
is a sophisticated technique
that is leveraged by service providers
to elevate the efficiency and flexibility of their networks.
Now, most of us are not going to be working with MPLS
unless we're working for an internet service provider
or some other large backend service provider.
But it's still important to understand
the basic concept behind it,
which is why we're going to cover it in this lesson.
Now, when it comes to MPLS,
it really does operate behind the scenes,
but it has an impact on the performance and adaptability
of your network infrastructures.
Now, MPLS isn't just another networking protocol though,
it's actually a different type of approach
that reshapes how data packets are routed
to ensure swift, reliable, and dynamic data delivery
across many complex network types.
At its core, MPLS is about streamlining
and speeding up the data traffic flow.
Traditional IP routing involves
each router making independent decisions based
on the next hop for a given packet.
This is done based on the packet's destination IP address
and the router's own routing table.
Now, this process is very reliable,
but it can be time consuming,
especially in larger, more complex networks.
And this is why MPLS was created.
MPLS was created to overhaul this process
by introducing a concept known as label switching.
Instead of pouring over lengthy IP headers
and routing tables,
MPLS routers, or label switch routers as they're known,
just forward packets based on short path labels.
Let's talk about how this works.
First, there's a label assignment.
When a data packet enters the MPLS network,
the ingress router is going to sign it a label,
which is essentially a short, fixed length identifier.
This label will encapsulate
the packet's forwarding information,
and it's a bit like slapping a concise, clear address label
on a package before mailing it off.
Second, we have label switching.
Now, as the packet travels through the MPLS network,
core routers, which are label switch routers,
will simply look at the label
to make their forwarding decisions.
The router uses the label
to look up simple forwarding tables,
and then determine the packets next hop,
and then it will add a label to attach
for the next part of its journey.
This process is much faster than traditional IP routing,
because it avoids those complex route look ups.
Third, we have the label removal.
Once the packet reaches the egress router,
which is the exit point of the MPLS network,
the label will be removed
and the packet will then be forwarded again based
on its original IP header.
So when you think about MPLS,
think about it like an expressway.
It's going to allow you to get on or off at certain points,
but not at every single router,
because not every router will support it.
So MPLS will get it as close as it can,
and then it'll put it back
into the regular IP routing network.
Now, one of the standout features of using MPLS
is that it is protocol agnostic in nature.
What this means is that it is multiprotocol,
because it really doesn't care
what type of data it's carrying.
Instead, it can carry ethernet frames, ATM cells,
or something else entirely,
because MPLS treats them all the exact same way,
it slaps the label on it and it moves it across the network.
This versatility makes MPLS an ideal choice
for integrating diverse types of network and services,
which is why it's used so heavily
by internet service providers and backend service providers.
MPLS is also a wonderful tool
for delivering high levels of quality of service or QoS.
Because MPLS can enforce traffic engineering,
it allows your service providers to define explicit paths
for different types of traffic,
and this ensures the optimal use of their network resources.
For instance, high priority data packets
like voice and video conferencing
can be assigned to low latency routes,
while less time-sensitive data like email
can take a more scenic route through the network
and eventually get to its destination.
Moreover, MPLS offers enhanced reliability and redundancy.
It allows us to have mechanisms
for automatic and rapid rerouting of traffic
in case a link or node fails, it can minimize downtime,
and it can ensure continuous data flow for us.
This ability to dynamically reroute traffic based
on your current network conditions and the path availability
is also a great tool for maintaining high performance
and service continuity.
Now, MPLS is predominantly a tool
that's used by large service providers,
but the effects of it do trickle down to us
as end users and home users,
because we can see improved service quality, reliability,
and performance from our ISP because of their use of MPLS.
MPLS does operate quietly behind the scenes,
but its role in shaping efficient, robust,
and agile networks is truly undeniable.
So remember, MPLS is a pivotal technology
in our modern network infrastructures
that is known for speed, efficiency, and flexibility.
By using MPLS,
you're going to go above a traditional IP routing
and offer more streamlined dynamic ways
of handling data traffic by using labeling instead.
Whenever you hear the term MPLS,
I want you to think about label routing.
As our networks continue to grow in complexity
and we have more demand
for high quality, uninterrupted services,
technologies like MPLS will really stand at the forefront
to ensure that our interconnected world remains
not just operational,
but optimally routing all of this traffic using labels.
So whether you're streaming a live event,
conducting a critical business meeting or a video,
or simply enjoying a smooth internet browsing experience,
that silent, swift, and efficiency of MPLS
is really the integral part of your digital journey
that's happening behind the scenes.