If your organization has multiple locations spread out across multiple different areas, you may have a hard time connecting and communicating with each other. If you are experiencing these sorts of issues, it can be hard to work efficiently.
Communication is important for any organization but it can be hard when your employees work in different locations.
If you are having a hard time communicating with employees working in different locations, you might want to look into investing in a WAN.
A wide-area network (WAN) is important in connecting businesses operating in a data center, corporate, branch, remote, or hybrid remote setting.
Having a stronger connection will allow you to have more reliable calling as well as video conference calls.
Here at Coeo, we have sold thousands of MPLS solutions to customers and have helped them improve their networks.
We want to make sure you are fully educated on everything MPLS so that you can make an educated buying decision on if it is the right solution for your organization.
By the end of this article, you will know everything about MPLS and the way it works. After reading this article you will be able to make a better, more educated buying decision on the right fit for your organization.
What is MPLS?
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is designed to get data packets to and from locations quickly and efficiently. MPLS communicates through protocols.
A protocol in networking is a set of rules for formatting and processing data. Protocols are like a common language that computers use to communicate with each other.
The computers within a network may use different software and hardware from each other.
However, the use of protocols allows all computers within the network to communicate with each other even with the differences in software and hardware.
In the name MPLS, multiprotocol means that the network doesn't have to rely on a single protocol in order to operate properly. This makes it very flexible and allows MPLS to work with multiple different devices within a network.
Since MPLS is an overlay network, it is able to forward all kinds of different types of data regardless of the different protocols used to organize them.
Another feature that MPLS relies on is constructing a low latency path so you can experience lowered latency within your network. Low latency will allow for data traffic to be sent out faster and smoother.
Additionally, it allows for lowered latency and for companies to have smoother calling over video conferences or Voice-over Internet Protocol (VOIP).
Both of these calling services rely on smooth, uninterrupted streams of data to be able to perform reliable calls. Having a network service with a strong connection is important in pairing with the call services.
Functions of MPLS
MPLS is a technique that designates data paths to send out data through. This technique allows for data to be sent between nodes instead of endpoints.
Since MPLS is an overlay network, it allows you to treat your provider’s network like it is your own. You are able to personalize the network to your company’s needs.
Your company will be able to prioritize the network traffic and manage the bandwidth of your network based on your company’s usage and needs.
This will free up your network and reduce network congestion by taking advantage of optimal paths for traffic to avoid congestion.
It also allows MPLS to be flexible as a product because it is customizable and is able to serve you based on your needs and services.
MPLS can also allow for low latency and better quality of service because each data packet has specific directions on where they need to go. Traditional IP on the other hand sends data packets down the same paths no matter the characteristics.
Traditional IP routing could be compared to going on a road trip and making decisions about which way to go in every town you come to. Making these decisions as they happen, ends in a less efficient process.
MPLS on the other hand would be like looking at all of the possible routes to take and deciding on directions, which way to turn at each town before you leave.
Planning out the routes of the data before sending them out would result in a faster and smoother transfer.
Next steps to figuring out your network connection
Now you have learned everything about MPLS and its functions. This will help you determine if MPLS is a good fit for your organization’s network needs.
If you are an organization that has multiple different locations and need to be able to communicate them among one another, you may want a solution like MPLS.
Nobody wants to have poor communication, especially in the workplace and MPLS could help with that problem by connecting your employees working in separate locations.
Coeo has sold thousands of MPLS solutions to customers and wants you to have everything you need to know about the service before making a decision.
It is our job to provide you with as much information as possible so you can make the best buying decision for your organization’s needs.
After reading this article about MPLS, you may have thought it sounds very similar to an SD-WAN solution. SD-WAN is the same concept but is a newer service and has more features that can be a benefit.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SD-WAN or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment. 
Read these articles below to learn more about SD-WAN:
