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MPLS - THE FACTS
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is fast becoming the standard technology for implementing large-scale Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Originally created to improve the performance of large backbone networks, features such as Traffic Engineering and Quality of Service have all contributed to its increasingly widespread adoption.
How MPLS works
Connected using standard IP routing equipment that requires little or no modification, MPLS eliminates the routing decision for all information across the core network from the Provider Edge (PE) router on one side to the PE router on the other. This is achieved by applying short fixed-length labels to each packet (effectively a shorthand address that represents the destination and other key aspects of the IP packet header) in much the same way that a postcode provides a shortened version of someone's full postal address. Once the initial PE router labels the IP packet, all subsequent routing decisions in the network are taken based upon the label and not the full header, thereby improving the speed of delivery.
Key benefits of MPLS
MPLS provides a number of customer benefits over existing backbone networking technologies. These include:
Virtual Private Networking (VPN)
MPLS supports Virtual Private Networking (VPN), which provides inherent security and separation of traffic for all customers, as well as support for differential Quality of Service levels to address the specific requirements of customer applications.
Quality Of Service
MPLS technology contains the mechanisms by which customers can be offered different service levels. Traffic can be prioritized based upon source, destination or application and receives appropriate service guarantees and separation from other traffic.
Performance
MPLS enables large networks to be simplified, which in turn enhances the speed of delivery of all services. Coupled with Quality of Service and traffic engineering features, performance levels are consistent with those required by most commercial applications.
Flexibility
As MPLS accepts "native" IP information, customers may access it using a wide variety of connection types and speeds. This includes Dial, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Leased Line and Ethernet access, via a range of speeds from 64kbps (Dial access) through to 1000Mbps (Ethernet). Depending upon the access type and speed, many different charging models have emerged, such as per second billing for Dial access or distance independent tariffs for some types of fixed circuits.
The strength of MPLS is in its ability to combine one scalable and feature rich technology with a highly flexible menu of access types. This allows customers to match their corporate network to the requirements of their budget and applications and not the reverse.
Monitoring Services
As an integral part of the MPLS service, Telinet provides essential key information on network and service performance to ensure that our customers are aware of how Telinet services are performing against Service levels Agreements.
Telinet will actively manage the network via stats collected from the routers. These stats will form the raw data that will be interpreted via visibility tools allowing Telinet to provide the level of SLA.
All Telinet Managed customers have access to online reports and information via the myPSINet web portal. This portal displays real-time and historical information on bandwidth usage, uptime statistics, hardware and application performance and details pertaining to performance against individual customers SLA's. Customers can view exactly the same information that is available to the Telinet support team.
Examples of Specific MPLS monitoring available are:
- Network traffic accounting
- Network capacity analysis and planning
- Network QoS
- SLA performance monitoring
- Irregular usage and DDoS detection capabilities
- Maps Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) and EXP bits for QoS reporting onto the NFC data to allow visibility of mission-critical and bandwidth-intensive applications by reporting on traffic classification, prioritisation, and congestion.
Management reports
Reports are used to provide information on network performance. The reports cross a range of services with consistent format, delivery mechanisms and content. There are a number of reports that Telinet MPLS customers' can receive. Core reports provide statistical information gathered from the network switches and processed to represent customer specific information.
Network reports will bring a wealth of benefits to customers who are able to measure the quality and availability of the Telinet MPLS Network. The network performance reports offer clear and concise information in both tabular and graphical format and this facility is provided free of charge to all customers of the service. Reports are available giving a tabular presentation of core network performance by region giving details on Jitter (millisecond) Round Trip Delay (RTD) in millisecond and Packet delivery broken down into Class of Service.
Fig 1: Daily Graph
Fig 2: Weekly Graph
Fig 3: Monthly Graph
Example of a Telinet Solution
- A "Fully Meshed" topology with centralised services located at the Bristol Headquarters
- All sites can utilise existing ISDN infrastructure or Telinet supplied ISDN infrastructure for VPN ISDN backup, subject to Technical teams.
- Guaranteed service levels for business critical applications and intranet traffic
- Managed Cisco router at all sites.
- VPN ISDN backup for emergency access
- Local breakout or centralised Internet services.
- Full 24x7 Cisco SmartNet support on all MPLS routers supplied by Telinet, maintenance contracts again subject to further discussions.
- Analogue Modem for out of band access (PSTN line required).
- Real-time monitoring of entire MPLS network through dedicated customer portal
- Option to connect remote users back into customer VPN.
NB: Telinet Limited will provide a bespoke managed service for every client with discounted pricing equivalent to 25% less than BT's IP Clear offering.
Please call 0800 082 7001 for your free consultation.
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