SD-WAN vs MPLS – Which is Better for your Business?
Business requirements and scaling applications have placed many demands on existing networks. This has left many IT professionals struggling to keep up the pace.
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) has long been the standard for wide area network before SD-WAN came along. While most professionals consider SD-WAN to be the latest and more effective in enterprise networking problems, the benefits of MPLS technology cannot be ignored. Choosing between these two will depend on your company’s priorities. This guide will explore the two technologies to help you choose the best for your business.
What is MPLS WAN?
MPLS is a type of data-carrying protocol that manages traffic between two locations. It is mainly used in high-performing networks. MPLS uses labels and packet forwarding technology to execute data transfer instructions. It works in a similar manner to routers and switches. This is a more reliable option if you want to prevent packet loss. MPLS network offers a smooth, consistent experience when using VoIP service. MPLS has traditionally been synonymous with telecommunication industry. However, the industry use cases have evolved over the years.
Pros of MPLS
1. Better QoS
While SD-WAN solutions offer many useful features such as Quality of Experience (QoE), they do not guarantee the best performance of Internet-based connections. A majority of applications today are designed to handle different network situations. However, some voice and video applications have requirements for latency and packet loss. So, MPLS offers a better Quality of Service (QoS) if you are using these applications. It is an ideal technology for intra-operations networking.
2. Reduce Packet Losses
Since WAN use public internet, there is a higher chance of experiencing jitters, latency, and packet loss. This situation will affect the performance of real-time apps. So, private MPLS configurations offer much boost here. If you rely on real time-protocols such as video conferencing, VoIP, or virtual networks in your business, then MPLS network will ensure the traffic is flowing. MPLS is also reliable since it puts much emphasis on labels and packet forwarding, which isolate different traffic on the network. Multiprotocol label switching technology creates traffic predictability. Your business will not suffer when there are many clients on a shared network.
3. Secure Network
MPLS networks provide reliable security. The connections are private from both ends. So, sensitive traffic is secured from the rest of the traffic on the network. MPLS technology offers unlimited scalability. It also eliminates the challenge of using VPNs to secure and encrypt the traffic.
Cons of MPLS
1. High Bandwidth Cost
The biggest downside of using MPLS in your business is the high bandwidth cost. In this age of digital era, most of the content is in video format, which consumes huge bandwidth. MPLS monthly bandwidth can be more expensive than broadband by up to 200 times. The high cost of the bandwidth has forced some business leaders to evaluate the usefulness of MPLS.
2. Requires Expertise
Keeping your networks robust enough to keep up bandwidth demands can be complex and expensive to businesses on a tight budget and without expertise. That said, an MPLS network could get cheaper with increased bandwidth usage. So, if your business uses more bandwidth each month, you might get MPLS provider with pricing that matches what SD-WAN providers offer.
What is SD-WAN?
For businesses looking for more open, flexible, and affordable cloud-based WAN technology, SD-WAN offers the best option. A majority of businesses have already switched from MPLS to the Managed SD-WAN services.
So, how does SD-WAN work? SD-WAN brings together all layers of connection such as MPLS, phone systems, and LTE into a single software-controlled WAN. Unlike MPLS, the broadband allocation is flexible. This is less costly when one location wants to connect its bandwidth. But, before making the switch let’s first explore SD-WAN pros and cons.
Pros of SD-WAN
1. Affordable Bandwidth
One of the greatest SD-WAN benefits is reduced cost. Since SD-WAN use many internet connections, which means a significant reduction in circuit cost. Both LTE and broadband are less expensive than MPLS.
2. Unified Security
The modern business environment suits businesses with integrated policy, security, and orchestration. SD-WAN network is well placed to support this. With a unified secure connectivity and end-to-end encryption that runs through the entire network, your business will remain secure.
3. Cloud Apps
Many businesses today use cloud-based apps. SD WAN supports direct access to cloud-based applications from each location. This reduces traffic congestions at data center location or head office. It also eliminates the risks that come with passing all traffic through a single point.
4. Scalability
Deploying software-defined networking solutions do not need significant upfront investment. SD-WAN is a cloud-based solution, so adding a new location is cheaper, quicker, and simpler. The technology enhances global availability and minimizes onsite manual configurations.
5. Flexibility
Unlike MPLS where you have to use the same ISP in all locations, SD-WAN allows you to work with different ISP providers. On top of this, you can easily switch to a backup connection such as 4G LTE. This ensures your most important applications are available at all times.
Cons of SD-WAN
The major downside of SD-WAN is reliability. Unlike MPLS, you may experience occasional downtime in your internet uplinks. Your business operations will only run smoothly if you are working with an internet service provider that offers a consistent connection. Even though SD-WAN provides an easy way to connect to the cloud, the possibility of latency and packet loss is still there.
SD WAN vs MPLS: Which is Better for my Business?
Considering the above discussion on SD WAN vs MPLS, it is clear that SD-WAN is a better choice for growing businesses. It is also ideal for companies that do not rely on run real-time apps. Today, many start-ups and growing businesses operate in singular locations with a lower cost of entry. Moreover, SD-WAN benefits such as ease of deployment, global availability, and cost of agility are hard to ignore. MPLS is ideal for companies with older technology that require low packet arrival time.
If you have unresolved enterprise network problems, or you are struggling to optimize the network bandwidth, count on ExterNetworks to provide the infrastructure that suits your business needs. With more than 1000 technicians and engineers to offer support, ExterNetworks is one of the leading IT managed service provider that understand the importance of deploying the efficient and affordable technology.
