WHAT IS MPLS?

MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) is a technology that integrates layer 2 switching and layer 3 routing within a set of rules. MPLS was created in the 1990s to avoid delays caused by routing. In MPLS technology, the speed provided by layer 2 and the technological advantages provided by layer 3 are used effectively.

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a protocol that allows packets to be transmitted mostly at level 2 (switching level layer 2) instead of level 3 (routing level layer 3). Since routing is a slower process, MPLS networks avoid routing as much as possible. To achieve this, routing is done once at the entrance of the network and the exit point is determined at this stage and the operations inside the network are performed as switching. For this process, MPLS labels are assigned to the packets during the routing process at the network entrance and switching is performed according to these labels. Thus, the IP header is never looked at. At the egress point, the MPLS label is removed from the packet during egress routing and the original IP packet is forwarded to its final destination.

The MPLS label indicates which of the predefined paths the packet will follow into the system. Predefined paths are called LSPs (label-switched paths). Paths are created as a result of the system administrator deciding which path is better to transmit a particular data.

MPLS offers solutions for improving quality of service (QoS). In MPLS networks, LSPs with different SLAs (for delay, degradation, loss, etc.) can be defined. Thus, critical operations and time-dependent functions can be executed in a healthier way.

MPLS enables traffic separation and the creation of virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual private local networks (VPLS) and virtual leased lines (VLLs).

MPLS supports Internet Protocol (IP), Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) and frame relay network protocols and routes (LSPs) can be created using any of them.