Key criteria to consider while choosing the right MPLS VPN provider

  • Published on - Feb 25, 2022
  • 8 mins read
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Enterprises require reliable and fast communication networks to maneuver around the day to day routine. Connectivity is the lifeline for every business, and it is essential for growth. You need an MPLS VPN provider that allows you to stay on top of your business at all times.

When MPLS was first introduced back in the day, it helped decrease the network load by laying off IP inspection. It used “labelling protocol” instead, which brought in a considerable boost in the network's speed. Today, MPLS is used to develop advanced and augmented applications and services. Here we will discuss how to choose from various MPLS service providers.

What is an MPLS VPN?

Multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) VPN is the most sought-after implementation of MPLS technology. The virtual private network has been in use since before MPLS came into being. It allowed users to send and receive data across shared or public networks.

VPN constructs a virtual tunnel between the endpoints and encapsulates the entire data packet into a datagram. It allows for a safe exchange of data across networks.

MPLS VPN uses the overlaying technique to increase the scalability of the network. Overlaying is building a virtual network on top of an existing network. MPLS forms the foundation of VPN services to support multi-tenancy, modularity and virtualisation.

Several MPLS network providers offer this service. It consists of four types of routers.

  • Provider Edge Routers- PE
  • Provider Routers-P
  • Customer Edge Routers- CE
  • Customer Routers-C

Key Criteria To Evaluate Service Providers

Choosing the best MPLS provider from an MPLS service provider list is no easy task. It takes careful consideration of each MPLS VPN provider. You can compare various MPLS providers using the criteria discussed below to simplify this process.

Network Coverage And Reach

The basic requirement you need to consider is the network coverage and reach offered by the MPLS service providers. Global enterprises require connectivity across various countries. Does the MPLS VPN provider offer reliable WAN services? Also, Configuring the router into your MPLS solution is a difficult task. For international coverage and reach, you also have to consider issues such as latency, jittering and resilience of the network.

Project Management And Monitoring

Another critical point to keep in mind is the management and monitoring of the network offered by the MPLS network providers . Complex networks require constant attention and management for smooth operations. You need to understand the scope of network management and monitoring services. With the help of proactive management, you can reduce your costs and downtime. Furthermore, it also enhances the security of the network.

Security

Complete MPLS VPN security capabilities of the service provider need to be observed carefully. Constant support and monitoring of the network are vital against any situation that may lead to downtime. Dedicated security infrastructure is critical to ensure guaranteed uptime.

User Experience

Many MPLS providers fall short of providing a system built around user experience. The network's performance is critical to running the applications that your users need. Delivering an MPLS VPN is more than just circuits and systems. It needs to perform well. It needs to support the users that are running the applications. So, you need to ask yourself if the service provided is built for exceptional user experience or not.

Hybrid Networks

It is hard to deliver outstanding performance with a single technology and supplier. Your customer needs are varied, and they want the applications to deliver at all times irrespective of where they are. Your customers are not concerned with any of the challenges you are facing. They want the best possible performance from their applications.

Therefore, many IT teams today integrate multiple technologies from multiple suppliers to create a hybrid network. By integrating MPLS across multiple providers, you can significantly improve your performance, such as enhancing the deployment speed. Hybrid networks are best suited to cater to all the needs of your clients anywhere in the world.

Service Level Agreements

Experienced MPLS service providers back their services offered with SLAs. SLAs ensure that your service provider is reliable and trustworthy. One should often compare the SLAs offered by multiple MPLS providers. Also, gather information about the clientele of your network service provider to evaluate their performance.

Ease Of Business

The best MPLS provider will make your business profitable and make everything seem simple and easy. There is a lot of competition on the market for network providers, and therefore you should opt for the one that is most compatible with your business.

Expansion

The service coverage is the most crucial factor to consider when choosing MPLS network providers. You should check if the provider has a wide network coverage, especially if you have branches in different locations. The best MPLS providers should also offer scalable services so that you can easily add more sites to your VPN as your business grows.

Most MPLS service providers also provide reliability and high security for your data. You should ensure that the MPLS provider offers this to protect your business from unauthorized access or interference.

Reliability

When choosing MPLS service providers, reliability should be your primary consideration. A reliable provider will ensure their network is always up and running, with no signal interruptions or service outages. When evaluating potential MPLS service providers, you should look for ones with a proven track record of providing quality services. Check to see if the provider has any reports of downtime in the past year and whether they have had any major issues that resulted in extended outages.

Additionally, consider whether the provider has redundant systems so that if something goes wrong at one location, it won’t take down the entire system. Finally, ensure that your chosen MPLS Network Provider offers 24/7 customer support so you can get help quickly in case of any problems or questions. With these steps, you can rest assured that your provider is reliable and won’t cause any service disruptions to your MPLS network.

Scalability

Scalability should be given utmost importance when selecting the right MPLS providers. With technological advancements, businesses are under continuous pressure to expand their network capabilities and meet the growing demands of their customers. Hence, it is essential to select an MPLS service provider that can accommodate your business’s growth as well as its changing requirements. When selecting a provider, ask about their current bandwidth capacity as well as if they can increase it in case of a sudden requirement for additional capacity.

Furthermore, you must check with your provider to find out if they offer various routing protocols like OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) or BGP (Border Gateway Protocol). These protocols allow networks to detect changes in routes and choose the fastest route dynamically. Thus, ensure that the MPLS network provider you choose is capable of providing scalability according to your needs. Additionally, some MPLS providers offer cloud hosting services, which can benefit businesses looking for a future-proof solution.

Cost

When choosing an MPLS VPN provider, cost-effectiveness is a key factor that organizations need to consider. As businesses grow, their network usage and needs will also increase over time. It can be challenging for companies to find budget-friendly solutions that can provide stable connections as well as the scalability needed for anticipated growth. Businesses should look for an MPLS service provider that offers competitive rates and are able to provide the necessary services at a reasonable price.

MPLS providers should also be able to scale up or down flexibly depending on your changing requirements to ensure cost savings. In addition, it is crucial to understand the total cost of ownership (TCO) associated with each potential provider. This includes factors such as the cost of installation, hardware and software, maintenance fees, and other related costs. Knowing all these upfront can help businesses make informed decisions when selecting an MPLS network provider.

Support and Maintenance Services

When selecting an MPLS VPN provider, it is important to consider the quality of their support and maintenance services. After all, you will be relying on this provider to keep your network up and running smoothly. Make sure to ask about the provider's average response time to service requests and whether they offer 24/7 support.

Also, be sure to find out what kind of training and documentation they provide to help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Choosing a provider with high-quality support and maintenance services will help ensure that your MPLS VPN experience is positive from start to finish.

Customization Options

When selecting the right MPLS VPN provider for your business, customization options should be a top priority. Look for providers that offer customizable services based on your specific needs and budget. Make sure you have the freedom to adjust bandwidth usage and add or delete users without having to pay additional fees. Customization can also refer to support levels, so make sure the provider is willing to provide technical assistance when needed. Quality customer service is essential, too; make sure they are available when you need them with quick response times. By finding an MPLS provider that offers these customization options, you will be able to tailor their services to your exact needs.

Conclusion

MPLS network providers help set up an MPLS VPN for your business that will boost the connectivity and growth of your company. The choice regarding the service provider also depends on other factors such as cost, current business needs, long-term goals, routing protocols, etc. Make sure that you are in the best position to choose for your network requirements. This is a decision that will be beneficial in the long run and is one of the key investments for your business.

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