New and Improved Transmission for Multiple Locations

Multi-Protocol Label Switching, or MPLS, is a technology designed to overcome the limitations of frame relay technology. To fully understand MPLS, you must understand a tiny bit about networking standards. The seven layer Open System Interconnection Reference Model (OSI model) is the networking standard that network engineers conform to when building networks. This model creates a unique division of labor both within and between each of the seven layers. Our discussion of MPLS only concerns the first three layers of the OSI model, sometimes called the lower layers. The upper layers of the OSI model aren’t covered in this book. If you’re interested in knowing how networks work, check out Networking For Dummies, 7th Edition, by Doug Lowe (Wiley).

The seven layers of the OSI model are numbered from bottom to top, so the lower layers are labeled like this:

• Layer 1: Physical Layer: This is the physical medium used to transmit data across the network. Literally, it’s the cable through which data moves; it could be made of Cat 5 (Ethernet) cable, coaxial (coax) cable, twisted-pair shielded copper wire, or fiberoptic cable.

• Layer 2: Data Link Layer: This is the lowest layer at which software protocols work. The protocols that operate at this level include Ethernet, frame relay, and ATM (which is kind of like frame relay — on steroids). These protocols have relatively simple live data transfer schemes. Data packets are sent through the network on predetermined routes from one end of the network to the other. Because these paths are predetermined, the hardware doesn’t have to decide the best path; data that is sent to a specific DLCI on a frame connection can only be sent to the part of the PVC to which the DLCI is assigned.

• Layer 3: Network Layer: The hardware at this level is more intelligent and is where MPLS shines. MPLS enables carriers to create virtual private networks (VPNs) similar to the frame relay networks of old. The increased sophistication of this technology allows it much greater functionality, and gives the network more resilience as it interacts at the Layer 2 and Layer 3 level for specific tasks.

Understanding why smarter is better

MPLS enables all the benefits of Layer 3 routing with the speed and security of Layer 2 switching. The flexibility of MPLS allows it to interact with and easily route data processed via Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols.

The main benefit of having the Layer 2 protocols available with MPLS is that you can keep your existing equipment, which uses old protocols and transports data between sites with some of the more advanced routing capability available only via Internet Protocol. An MPLS VPN allows you to connect your company’s old frame relay switches together or use Ethernet to tie your new corporate e-mail server to T-1s at your remote office locations. The packets in your MPLS VPN can also be prioritized so that your VoIP packets are routed before the accounting file being sent to your boss. This capability to avoid congestion and prioritize the different forms of data you are transmitting, while still maintaining a high degree of security, makes MPLS a very attractive data transfer method.

Figure 14-5 shows a standard setup of an MPLS network. Although MPLS VPNs are different than basic IP, ATM, and frame relay networks, as a customer, you don’t need to deal with those issues. Your IT department can continue to refer to the different sites on your network via IP addresses if your organization had a standard IP network before. MPLS gives you the benefit of IP with the comfort of the network your IT department is used to. The interesting aspect to note is that there are no preset routes between any of the endpoints. Because MPLS functions at a network level, the routers within your carrier’s network can receive data packets and direct those packets along dynamic paths to their final destinations.

Figure 14-5: A standard MPLS network setup.

 Tip  The components that make up an MPLS network are similar to the pieces that make up a frame relay network.

Label Edge Router: LER

The Label Edge Router, or LER, is an important piece of hardware generally provided by your carrier, and is necessary to establish an MPLS network. The LER typically sits on the edge of your carrier’s network. Your router is connected to the local loop that connects to the LER at your carrier. The main job of the LER is to assign a label to every packet of data sent through the MPLS network. This label determines the packet’s routing process and priority.

The following sections explain the materials you need to have in place to get your MPLS configuration off the ground.

The local loop

Just like any dedicated service, you need to rent the copper wires or fiberoptic cable (depending on the size of circuit you require) from your office to the nearest MPLS entry point for your carrier. The local loop’s cost is similar to that of a voice circuit of the same bandwidth, with the price increasing as the distance grows.

The MPLS port

Your carrier’s Label Edge Router (LER) sits on the other side of your local loop to receive your data. As the carrier’s LER receives each packet, it reads its label and routes it accordingly. You have to pay for a port into the carrier’s LER based on your required bandwidth.

Bandwidth

The last item you have to pay your MPLS carrier for is the bandwidth required to send data. Carriers charge for bandwidth in a variety of ways, so speak to your carrier to decide what is the best billing choice for your specific application.

Researching MPLS on the Web

 Tip  If you are interested in finding out more about MPLS before you call your network technician to talk over the project, you can tap the following Web resources for general information:

www.juniper.net/solutions/vpn

www.globalcrossing.com/xml/services/serv_data_ipvpn_over.xml

www.cse.iitk.ac.in/users/braman/courses/cs625-fall2003/lec-notes/lec-notes32-4.html

For Cisco troubleshooting, see:

www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk436/tk428/technologies_tech_note09186a0080094b4e.shtml