Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a data forwarding technology that speeds up and controls network traffic flow. MPLS routes data through a route using labels rather than complex routing table lookups at each stop. This technology is scalable and protocol-independent, and it works with the Internet Protocol (IP) and Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM). Data is moved between network nodes in a traditional IP network using long network addresses. Each router on which a data packet lands must use routing tables to determine where the packet will stop next in the network. MPLS, in turn, assigns a label to each pack to route it along a predefined path. Know more about MPLS view CCIE switching interview questions and answers.

MPLS History:

In 1994, Toshiba proposed the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Some of these ideas would later become MPLS standards. In 1996, a team at Ipsilon Networks introduced IP switching, which was designed uniquely for ATM networks. The following year, Cisco, Ipsilon, and IBM announced plans to use label switching, paving the way for the protocol’s modern implementation. The first MPLS working group was in 1997 and completed the first MPLS network deployment.

How does an MPLS network work?

The ingress router, also known as a label border router (LER) in an MPLS network, labels each packet entering the service provider’s network. This router also determines which LSP will carry the pack until it reaches its destination address. Following that, label switching routers (LSRs) perform packet forwarding solely on MPLS labels, never consulting the IP header. Finally, the exit router removes the labels and sends the original IP packet to its destination. When an LSR receives a pack, it may perform one or more of the following actions:

1. Push: 

Insert a label. The ingress router is usually in charge of this.

2. Swap: 

Replace a tag with a swap. It is the LSRs that connect the ingress and egress routers.

3. Pop: 

Remove the tag. The exit router is primarily responsible for this.

MPLS Components:

The MPLS header is 32 bits long and divided into four sections:

1. Tag:

This field is 20 bits long and can have values ranging from 0 to 220-1.

2. Exp:

It is used for Quality of Service and has a length of 3 bits (QoS).

3. Stack bottom (S):

The size is 1 bit. MPLS labels are on top of one another. When there is one tag remaining in the MPLS header, the value is 1; otherwise, it is 0.

4. TTL (Time To Live):

It is 8 bits long and has its value reduced by one at each hop to keep the packet from becoming stuck on the network.

When does MPLS come into play?

When speed and reliability are critical, use MPLS. Real-time applications are those that necessitate near-instantaneous data delivery. Real-time applications commonly include voice calls and video calls. Build wide area networks (WANs) using MPLS. However, as previously discussed, MPLS-based WANs are costly and crucial to scale. Cloudflare Magic WAN replaces MPLS connections with a cloud-based network that is simple to set up and does not require expensive hardware. Find out more about the Magic WAN. Click here to get free MPLS configuration step-by-step pdf.

Is an MPLS network a private network? 

MPLS can be private if only one organization uses specific MPLS routes. However, MPLS does not encrypt the traffic. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides encryption and is a method of keeping network connections private.