1. Science / Technology

SD-WAN vs MPLS: Know the Key Differences

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Advanced networking technologies are becoming increasingly common among businesses as they seek to leverage humongous amounts of data in an effective way at high speeds. In this whole process, network communication is an extremely important aspect. There a number of such technologies being used, such as SD-WAN and MPLS, which facilitate an automated approach to network and circuit management across an area. These technologies can resolve the current generation network challenges and handle a huge traffic as well as increase the efficiency of SaaS and public-cloud applications. Overall, these technologies improve network speed and efficiency and subsequently the user experience. This post focusses on two such technologies- SD-WAN and MPLS in a comparative manner. 

What is SD-WAN?

Conventionally, WANs are used to connect users in the network to servers in data centers. There is an increasing demand for integrated networks with cloud and other such technologies, improved user experience, and network security. SD-WAN stands for software defined-wide network area, and is a technology that offers an integrated approach for any network such as advanced security, cloud based infrastructure, and more which is useful when transitioning or expanding the network.

What is MPLS?

High speed connectivity is the need of the hour. MPLS stands for multiprotocol label switching. This technology helps establish multiple LAN connections across a wide area network. It also helps find the shortest path for data transmission in a network. MPLS labels can be allocated to each data packet, that helps control the path and improves network speed. MPLS is network protocol independent and functions between layer 2 and 3 of the OSI model. So, technically, this is layer 2.5. Layer 2 facilitates data packet transmission across a private network made of LANs or WANs, while layer 3 uses IP protocol and can deliver data packets across the internet. This technology also helps private networks adopt cloud storage.

Benefits and Limitations of SD-WAN

Here are some benefits and limitations of SD-WAN.

  • This is a great technology for increasing network efficiency, facilitating remote access for users across geographies, directly accessing cloud based applications, and more.

  • It does not require too many hardware devices, and in fact facilitates removing some of them. Also, it facilitates multi-vendor or brand compatibility among devices, which saves on costs and time.

  • The operations using SD-WAN are as such simple in terms of removing or adding connections, remote control, and managing cloud-based applications.

  • The limitation here is each segment of the network needs to be connected to the internet. This may make the private network vulnerable in terms of in terms of data breaches or any other cybercrime, unless a very effective firewall is installed.

Benefits and Limitations of MPLS

Here are some benefits and limitations of MPLS.

  • One of the major benefits of MPLS is its high speed data transmission as the data packets are not analyzed by routers. They are dispatched based on MPLS labels.

  • It also manages heavy network effectively and prioritizes data packet transmission, such as heavy video or voice files get a priority over text files.

  • While MPLS speeds up the network, its configuration and installation process is time consuming.

  • There may be issues using MPLS in case of sudden increase in bandwidths.

  • While MPLS is suited for point-to-point network topologies, it may have some issues in directly accessing any cloud applications.

 

Differentiating Between SD-WAN and MPLS

While there are differentiating factors between SD-WAN and MPLS, one needs to know that these technologies operate from different network layers. Also, both of them contribute towards increasing network efficiency, speed, and security, thus making the network scalable and robust. Here are some differentiating pointers.

  • Reliability is an important aspect wherein MPLS can be considered to be more reliable than SD-WAN. While SD-WAN makes the network agile, it may have issues in terms of losing data packets and data breaches.

  • In case of MPLS, the incoming network traffic needs to be monitored and controlled to avoid data related issues and malware. So, it is a good option to consider installing a robust firewall in both cases.

  • SD-WAN is more suited for large networks that spans cities or regions as it facilitates remote access in far off locations. On the other hand, MPLS requires physical access and may have limitations in making the network futuristic and scalable.

  • SD-WAN definitely offers more visibility, higher bandwidth, simplified analytics, and so on than MPLS.

Can SD-WAN replace MPLS?

One technology cannot replace the other in most situations. Choosing the right technology depends on the type and size of networks, requirements in terms of advanced features and functionalities, and more. In fact, that SD-WAN and MPLS can work effectively hand-in-hand to make your network scalable and future proof.

If you are a business owner looking to expand your network and make it more scalable, you want to implement advanced technologies such as SD-WAN and MPLS. Whatever technology you may implement, you will require good quality and compatible network devices such as switches, routers, media converters in case of fiber optic or blended networks, and more. Ensure you source them from a reliable and certified supplier such as VERSITRON. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of fiber optic network devices such as fiber optic modems, network switches, media converters, and installation kits in the US.

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