MPLS vs VPN - What’s the Difference

Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) are technologies for securing and optimizing network connections between geographically distributed locations. This article explains the differences between these two technologies, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, to help you choose the right solution for your company.

What is VPN?

A virtual private network (commonly referred to as a VPN) is an encrypted and secure connection between two or more devices over a publicly accessible network such as the internet. VPNs use tunneling protocols to encapsulate and encrypt data between endpoints, ensuring that data is protected from eavesdropping, tampering and other security threats. VPNs are commonly used by remote workers, traveling employees and companies with multiple branch offices to securely access and share data over the Internet.

Advantages of VPN:

- Easy to set up and use
- Cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized companies
- Provides secure remote access for employees and partners
- Can be used on any device with an internet connection
- Provides end-to-end encryption for all traffic passing through the tunnel
- Enables a flexible and scalable network architecture

Disadvantages of VPN:

- VPNs can be slower than MPLS due to the overhead of encryption and tunneling
- Additional hardware or software may be required to manage and monitor the VPN infrastructure
- They can be more susceptible to network congestion and latency issues
- VPNs may not provide the same level of Quality of Service (QoS) as MPLS
- A stable and reliable internet connection is required for optimal performance.

What is MPLS?

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a technology that optimizes network traffic by creating a virtual circuit or path through a network. MPLS uses labels to identify and route data packets between endpoints. The labels allow routers to make forwarding decisions quickly and efficiently without creating complex routing tables. Large enterprises and service providers typically use MPLS to connect multiple sites or data centers over a wide area network (WAN).

Advantages of MPLS:

- Provides high-speed, low-latency connections between geographically dispersed locations
- Provides better network performance and reliability compared to VPN
- Supports Quality of Service (QoS) for real-time traffic, e.g. voice and video
- Can be used to create private networks with dedicated bandwidth and SLAs
- Enables centralized network management and monitoring

Disadvantages of MPLS:

- MPLS can be more expensive than VPN, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises
- Specialized hardware and software is required to manage and configure MPLS networks
- MPLS may not be as flexible and scalable as VPN for remote access and ad hoc connectivity
- MPLS is more complex to deploy and manage than VPN
- It may not provide end-to-end encryption for all traffic traversing the network.

VPN vs. MPLS: Which is right for you?

VPN is the ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses that need a cost-effective and easy-to-implement solution for remote access and ad-hoc connectivity. MPLS is better suited for larger enterprises and service providers that need a high-speed, low-latency connection between multiple sites or data centers with the ability to prioritize and manage different types of traffic. When deciding between VPN and MPLS, you need to consider several factors, such as the size of your business, the number of sites you need to connect, the type of traffic you need to prioritize and your budget.

Conclusion:

In summary, VPN and MPLS are effective technologies for connecting geographically dispersed sites and securing traffic over a public network. Choosing the right solution for your business depends on your specific requirements and budget. A reliable VPN or MPLS service provider can help you evaluate your options.