Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) has long been a staple in private wide-area network (WAN) connections, known for its ability to optimize data transmission by using labels instead of conventional network addresses. However, advancements in networking technology and evolving enterprise needs have led to a decline in MPLS’s popularity. In an era where flexibility, scalability, and cloud compatibility are paramount, MPLS’s limitations become increasingly apparent. This article delves into the reasons behind MPLS’s diminishing appeal and highlights four modern alternatives that provide more efficient, cost-effective, and secure solutions: Virtual Private Network (VPN), Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), Hybrid SD-WAN, and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
The High Cost of MPLS
One of the primary reasons MPLS is losing favor is its high cost. As a private network, MPLS offers security and reliability, but these benefits come at a steep price. Monthly MPLS costs range between $300 and $600 per Mbps, significantly higher than broadband connections, which cost between $1.50 and $15 per Mbps. The financial burden of MPLS is particularly challenging for businesses looking to scale their operations. As companies expand and require more bandwidth, the costs associated with MPLS can become prohibitive. This has led many organizations to seek more cost-effective alternatives that do not compromise on performance or security.
Additionally, the setup of MPLS involves complex manual configurations, often outsourced to managed service providers, further increasing expenses. The reliance on third-party providers for deployment and management not only inflates costs but also introduces delays and potential issues with customization and optimization. As enterprises evolve and their networking needs become more dynamic, the financial and operational constraints of MPLS become increasingly untenable.
The high cost of MPLS is particularly concerning for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that may lack the budget to invest in such expensive infrastructure. Even larger enterprises find MPLS’s cost structure burdensome when considering the need for agility and rapid scalability in today’s fast-paced business environment. Consequently, organizations in various industries are exploring alternative solutions that provide similar or superior functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Manual Deployment and Configuration Challenges
Deploying MPLS is a labor-intensive and complex process, especially for extensive networks requiring enhanced quality of service. The manual setup can take months, particularly for geographically dispersed offices, making MPLS integration time-consuming and resource-intensive. This complexity often necessitates the involvement of specialists with deep knowledge of MPLS and network design, further increasing the cost and time required for deployment.
The intricacies of MPLS deployment also lead to a heavy dependence on external experts for configuration and maintenance. This dependency can create bottlenecks, as businesses must coordinate with third parties to implement changes, troubleshoot issues, and optimize performance. The reliance on external expertise not only adds to the operational costs but also reduces the agility of the network, making it harder to respond to changing business needs promptly.
Moreover, the process of maintaining and updating MPLS networks is just as demanding as the initial deployment. Manual configurations and the need for constant monitoring to ensure optimal performance can stretch internal IT resources thin. This continuous maintenance cycle poses significant challenges, particularly for businesses with limited IT personnel or those undergoing rapid expansion. As a result, many organizations are seeking alternatives that offer simpler deployment, centralized management, and automated optimization features.
Security Concerns with MPLS
While MPLS benefits from a private, narrower attack surface compared to public networks, security management is ultimately in the user’s hands. This can lead to vulnerabilities, as data packets can be manipulated to spread malware through the network. MPLS’s reliance on manual configurations for security measures means that there are more opportunities for errors and potential security gaps. Businesses must be vigilant in implementing and maintaining robust security protocols to protect their data and network infrastructure.
Additional security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus systems, are essential but complicate the manual configuration process. Integrating these tools with MPLS networks can be complex and time-consuming, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise. The need for robust security measures adds another layer of complexity and cost to MPLS deployments. Businesses must invest in additional tools and expertise to ensure their networks are secure, further diminishing the appeal of MPLS.
Moreover, the increasing sophistication of cyber threats demands more advanced and dynamic security solutions that MPLS struggles to provide. With the rise of cloud services and remote work, traditional perimeter-based security models are becoming less effective, necessitating a shift towards more modern security architectures. As a result, organizations are looking for alternatives that offer built-in security features and can adapt to the evolving threat landscape more effectively.
Incompatibility with Cloud Services
MPLS uses dedicated infrastructure and point-to-point connectivity, making it incompatible with cloud computing. Today’s businesses increasingly rely on Software as a Service (SaaS) applications and cloud services, which are not well-suited to MPLS. The rise of cloud computing has fundamentally changed the way businesses operate, with many organizations moving their applications and data to the cloud. MPLS’s inability to seamlessly integrate with cloud services is a significant drawback, prompting businesses to explore alternatives that offer better cloud compatibility.
Cloud services demand flexible and scalable networking solutions that can adapt to varying workloads and provide seamless connectivity across different regions. MPLS’s static architecture and rigid connectivity model hinder its ability to support these dynamic requirements. The lack of agility in MPLS networks becomes increasingly problematic as businesses adopt multi-cloud strategies and expand their digital footprint globally.
Additionally, MPLS’s traditional reliance on centralized data centers for connectivity clashes with the distributed nature of modern cloud environments. This misalignment creates inefficiencies and latency issues, negatively impacting the performance of cloud applications and services. As organizations prioritize digital transformation and cloud adoption, the limitations of MPLS become more pronounced, driving the search for more compatible and efficient networking alternatives.
Limited Control and Flexibility
Implementation of MPLS is typically managed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which limits user control over the network. This reliance on ISP cooperation makes customization and security tailoring challenging. Organizations are often at the mercy of their service providers when it comes to making changes or improvements to their MPLS networks. This lack of control can lead to delays in addressing network issues and hinder the ability to implement tailored security policies and optimizations.
MPLS connections are also static, similar to dedicated railroad tracks, and lack the flexibility to change routes easily. This inflexibility hampers dynamic traffic management and adaptability, which are crucial for modern networking environments. As business needs evolve, the ability to quickly reconfigure network routes and prioritize traffic becomes essential for maintaining optimal performance and user experience.
The static nature of MPLS networks also limits their ability to support emerging technologies and use cases, such as Internet of Things (IoT) deployments and real-time data analytics. These scenarios require dynamic and responsive networking solutions that can adapt to changing conditions and workload demands. The rigidity of MPLS makes it difficult for organizations to fully leverage the benefits of these advanced technologies, further diminishing its appeal.
Limited Scalability
MPLS infrastructure is not conducive to rapid scalability. The dedicated nature of its setup makes bandwidth expansion difficult and costly when network demands grow. As businesses evolve and their networking needs change, the inability to quickly and cost-effectively scale MPLS networks becomes a significant limitation. Organizations aiming for rapid growth and digital transformation require networking solutions that can effortlessly scale to accommodate increased data loads and user demands.
The scalability challenges of MPLS are particularly problematic in today’s fast-paced business environment where agility and responsiveness are critical to success. Adding new sites, increasing bandwidth, or adjusting network configurations with MPLS involves complex processes and significant lead times. This lack of scalability hampers an organization’s ability to promptly adapt to market changes or expanding operational requirements.
Furthermore, the cost implications of scaling MPLS networks can be prohibitive, especially for SMBs or enterprises with extensive global operations. As companies grow and seek to optimize their networking strategies, the high costs associated with expanding MPLS infrastructure often push them toward more flexible and scalable alternatives that align better with their strategic goals.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) as an Alternative
VPNs create encrypted connections between a user’s device and a remote server, protecting data and providing anonymity online. They allow secure access to company resources, bypass geographical restrictions, and safeguard privacy. VPNs are particularly advantageous for businesses with remote workforces or those needing to connect multiple sites securely. The lower cost and ease of deployment make VPNs an attractive alternative to MPLS, especially for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.
VPNs offer several benefits over MPLS, including cost-effectiveness, ease of deployment, and robust security through encryption. By leveraging public internet connections, VPNs can provide secure site-to-site connectivity without the high costs associated with private MPLS links. This makes VPNs an ideal choice for businesses looking to achieve secure communications without breaking the bank.
Additionally, VPNs support remote access, enabling employees to securely connect to corporate networks from any location. This flexibility is crucial in today’s increasingly mobile and remote work environments. With VPNs, businesses can ensure that their remote workforces have secure access to necessary resources, enhancing productivity and collaboration across geographically dispersed teams.
Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)
SD-WAN uses software-defined networking principles to optimize WANs. It enables flexible, cost-effective connections compared to traditional hardware-based infrastructure. SD-WAN supports cloud-based systems and centralizes management for easier deployment. By abstracting the control plane from the underlying hardware, SD-WAN allows for more agile and responsive network configurations, enhancing overall performance and reliability.
SD-WAN is ideal for connecting headquarters, major offices, and remote workforces. It offers enhanced network visibility, better traffic optimization, and improved security compared to MPLS. The ability to dynamically route traffic based on real-time conditions makes SD-WAN a versatile and powerful alternative. Organizations can prioritize critical applications, reroute traffic to avoid congestion, and optimize bandwidth usage to ensure optimal performance.
Moreover, SD-WAN simplifies network management by providing a centralized, software-based control plane. This centralized management reduces the complexity of network operations, making it easier for IT teams to deploy, monitor, and manage network resources. The reduced reliance on specialized hardware and manual configurations also lowers operational costs and minimizes the potential for human errors.
Hybrid SD-WAN: Combining the Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid SD-WAN merges traditional MPLS with SD-WAN technologies, combining broadband, 4G/5G, and MPLS links. It enables diverse connection types while optimizing user path selection and reducing latency. By leveraging the strengths of both MPLS and SD-WAN, hybrid solutions can provide the reliability and performance of MPLS for critical applications while benefiting from the flexibility and cost savings of broadband and cellular connections.
Hybrid SD-WAN is particularly useful for organizations with complex networking needs, such as those operating across multiple locations with varying connectivity requirements. The ability to seamlessly integrate different connection types ensures that businesses can maintain high levels of performance and reliability, even in the face of fluctuating network conditions.
Additionally, hybrid SD-WAN solutions support advanced features like application-aware routing, Quality of Service (QoS) management, and automatic failover. These capabilities enhance the overall resilience and efficiency of the network, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority. The combination of MPLS and SD-WAN also allows for more granular control over network traffic, enabling businesses to optimize their WAN strategy to meet specific operational goals.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE): A New Paradigm
SASE integrates networking and security services delivered through the cloud. It connects users directly to the cloud via regular internet connections, enhancing both networking and security while being cost-effective and scalable. SASE represents a shift towards a more holistic approach to networking and security, addressing the limitations of traditional WAN architectures by converging SD-WAN capabilities with cloud-native security functions.
SASE streamlines network and security management by providing a unified platform that includes key services such as Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). This comprehensive set of services protects remote workforces, enforces security policies, filters unwanted traffic, and emphasizes a zero-trust model that ensures granular access control. By adopting SASE, organizations can achieve better network performance, enhanced security, and simplified management, making it an ideal alternative to MPLS in today’s cloud-centric environment.
Moreover, the cloud-native nature of SASE enables organizations to scale their networks quickly and efficiently, accommodating growing data loads and evolving security needs. This scalability is critical for businesses undergoing digital transformation or expanding their global footprint, as it allows them to adapt to changing requirements without significant investments in additional infrastructure. As a result, SASE is gaining traction as a modern alternative to MPLS that addresses the demands of contemporary networking environments.
Conclusion: Comprehensive and Unified Understanding
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) has been a cornerstone for private wide-area network (WAN) connections for years due to its efficient data transmission using labels instead of standard network addresses. However, with advancements in networking technology and changing enterprise requirements, the popularity of MPLS is waning. In an age where adaptability, scalability, and cloud compatibility are critical, MPLS’s shortcomings are more pronounced. This article explores why MPLS is losing its allure and introduces four contemporary alternatives that offer more efficient, cost-effective, and secure solutions. These alternatives are the Virtual Private Network (VPN), Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), Hybrid SD-WAN, and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
VPNs are widely used for creating secure connections over the internet, providing an affordable and flexible option for businesses. SD-WANs take it a step further by leveraging software to manage the WAN, offering superior performance, security, and cost-efficiency. Hybrid SD-WAN combines the best of both MPLS and SD-WAN, ensuring reliability and performance. Lastly, SASE integrates network security functions with WAN capabilities, providing a comprehensive, cloud-native solution ideal for today’s distributed work environments. These modern alternatives address the limitations of MPLS, meeting the current and future demands of enterprise networking.
