Advantages of Managed IP Services
Managed IP is a WAN or Wide Area Network service that is provided
and managed by a competitive carrier that owns and operates its
own IP network. A managed IP provider ensures that you have the
bandwidth and connectivity you need, without having to manage
the WAN yourself.
What Does Fully Meshed Mean?
MPLS networks that are described as fully meshed offer any-to-any connections within the cloud network. You specify the desired connectivity between locations to the network service provider.
Don't Frame Relay Networks Do The Same Thing as MPLS Networks?
They used to in a simpler way. Frame relay networks use small ATM cells rather than the modern IP network cores of MPLS networks, so they tend to be less efficient. Most carriers are shutting down their Frame Relay networks since the rise of MPLS. The newer MPLS networks tend to be designed for higher speeds to match today's business bandwidth needs.
Cost Advantage of Converged Networks
By merging voice, data and video onto a single network, the cost and support levels needed to maintain separate computer data, telephone and video networks is reduced to a single network staff. WAN networks may also be managed by the provider, if desired.
MPLS Network Configurations
The MPLS network can be thought of as a cloud that is accessible from many locations. Your service can be set up for a single point to point connection, a hub and spoke replacement for central offices serving many remote locations, or a fully meshed network where any site can communicate with any other site.