Abstract
This paper outlines five critical factors for successful migration to Internet Protocol (IP) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Written for business executives and IT decision makers, the paper discusses the current status of IP VPN adoption for the medium-to-large business (5 to 50 locations), especially with regard to the evolving (and expanding) role of MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology. The paper also identifies key questions you should ask before migrating from a legacy infrastructure to an MPLS-enabled IP VPN, discusses the benefits of migration, describes the types of companies that would benefit from MPLS IP VPNs, and suggests what a business should look for in an MPLS provider. The good news is that the early adopters of the technology have implemented MPLS with great success, particularly as it relates to network performance. The time has come for mass migration to the technology.
Introduction
For businesses with multiple locations, MPLS-enabled IPVPN is an ideal solution for enterprise connectivity. It offers cost-effective security, any-to-any connectivity, quality of service, scalable bandwidth, and a platform for convergence.
With the emergence of converged IP services, medium-to-large businesses are demanding greater performance from their enterprise networks than ever before. To meet the evolving needs of these five to 50-site companies and their mediarich applications, enterprise networks are challenged to evolve in lockstep with those demands. CIOs and IT Managers throughout the U.S. tell us they understand the urgent need to evolve their enterprise networks and control the power of today’s information technology, but many lack the tools and budgets to do so.
The good news is that there is a solution for today's enterprise networks: MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology. MPLS has now reached a level of maturity in the market that positions it favorably against legacy technologies. Based fundamentally on Internet Protocol (IP), MPLS technology delivers the extraordinary flexibility of an IP service with the essential service quality previously available only with legacy technologies.
For businesses with multiple locations, MPLS-enabled IP VPN is an ideal solution for enterprise connectivity. It offers cost-effective security, any-to-any connectivity, quality of service, scalable bandwidth, and a platform for convergence – one that eliminates network redundancies and supports enterprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
In fact, VoIP is the key driver for network convergence. VoIP uses the same communications protocol to carry voice traffic that the Internet uses to carry data traffic. Not only are multiple networks (voice, data, and video) assimilated on one IP platform, but the converged voice and data network is also easier to maintain than two or three separate legacy networks.
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