Summary

This chapter has shown one important case study that demonstrates how a service provider can help a customer with the connectivity and migration from an existing Layer 2 network to IP-based VPNs. Further, the case study is an example of MPLS deployment for SPs as they migrate IP/MPLS-based networks as part of an overall NGN strategy. As the next generation, therefore, we can ask the question as to the future of MPLS technology and whether a new packet-based bearer technology exists that will replace MPLS. The last chapter explores this very questionthe future of MPLS.