MPLS vs Internet
For connectivity across multiple locations of an Enterprise, MPLS and Internet are 2 of the mainstay options customers consider. While MPLS connectivity being reliable and pretty robust proposition with the caveat of high cost, the Internet can be another low-cost option enterprises may consider but with some cons.
Both MPLS and Internet networks allow for the communication between sites to fully mesh i.e. each location can be connected to every other location over either MPLS or Internet thus providing direct site-to-site communication. Additionally, Both MPLS and Internet networks can be terminated on various layer 1 mediums like T1, DSL, cable, Ethernet, wireless or even fibre.
Comparison Table : MPLS vs Internet
| PARAMETER | MPLS | INTERNET |
|---|---|---|
| Carriers | Single carrier provides MPLS connectivity for all the locations | Not limited to single carrier .Different locations can be connected through various carriers for communication. |
| Packet delivery and prioritization | Packet prioritization and delivery including end to end delay can be guaranteed by the MPLS provider | No guarantee of Packet delivery and prioritization. Infact is delivered on best effort basis. |
| Voice and video communication | MPLS is preferred for voice and video communication since it gives priority to delay sensitive traffic and fosters packet delivery | Internet is less preferred choice for voice and video communication since packet delivery is on best effort basis with no QOS to support low latency. |
| SLA adherence and availability | SLA is defined and availability of service is high | SLA is not or partially defined and availability of service is lower than MPLS. |
| Cost | High cost | Much lower cost than MPLS |
| Communication & Traffic encryption | Since provider carries Customer traffic via VRF (MPBGP) based logical Routing separation, as a general case there is no need to encrypt traffic while communicating between customer location via MPLS provider | Since there is no mechanism to secure customer traffic over Internet, VPN need to be run over Internet to encrypt traffic in order to perform communication across customer location securely. |
| Traffic Engineering | Possible | Not Possible |
| Information Security | High | Low |
| Traffic Routing control | MPLS provider has higher control on traffic Routing. | Customer has higher control on traffic Routing of Internet traffic |
| Performance and Speed | Reliable performance and bandwidth | Variation in performance and bandwidth |
| Additional security posture | As a general case no need to introduce additional set of Firewall or other security device to protect customer network. | Customer are exposed directly to the unsecured Internet which means that customer needs to introduce security infrastructure like firewall to protect the network. |
| Manpower to control traffic Routing | Limited manpower to support, maintain and secure MPLS network. Carrier/ Provider performs the tasks. | Manpower with routing and Security skill set required to support, maintain and secure network. |
Download the difference table here.
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I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”
I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.
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