What Does MPLS Stand For?
MPLS stands for Multi-Protocol Switching Network. MPLS networks are privately owned "cloud" networks that use special tag switches and routers rather than IP addressing to determine source and destination. The multi-protocol aspect means that nearly any data protocol can be transported, making MPLS networks highly versatile.
What is a Service Level Agreement?
An SLA or Service Level Agreement is often part of the contract
between a business and telecom carrier for line or network services.The SLA spells out the expected availability
of the service and what penalties the carrier is liable for downtime or parameters out of spec.
Why Buy MPLS Service?
Since the cloud is a private network, you have the advantage of a carefully managed service that gives you the quality you want. Since the network is shared among many users, your cost is much lower than trying to run your own private meshed network.
Advantages of Voice over MPLS
MPLS networks have the quality of service features needed to insure low levels of latency, jitter and packet loss to ensure high quality voice transmission. You avoid toll charges by keeping your internal phone calls on the MPLS network that connects your various business locations.
MPLS Network Speeds
MPLS networks can run at any network speed and are being adopted by major carriers as the multipoint to multipoint technology of choice. For this reason, MPLS is fast replacing Frame Relay.