Do you know which is better for your client?
Supplying your client with the best services is your major focus. You can’t deliver the network products best suited to them without understanding some of the key differences, though.
Here are 4 things to think about as you recommend Metro Ethernet and MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) services to your clients.
- QoS/CoS- While the benefit of prioritizing network traffic can be achieved with either technology, only MPLS offers this as a feature of the network. Most carriers offer four different classes of service in their MPLS offerings. Clients who prefer an Ethernet network can still prioritize their voice, video, Internet and other data traffic, but in these cases, CoS/QoS is a feature of their router rather than the network itself.
- Location, Location, Location- While Ethernet is sought after for its cost-effectiveness and scalability, the bugaboo with this has always been (and continues to be) that it tends to be spottier than MPLS. MPLS is much more widely available. Especially outside of metro areas, MPLS is a great way to secure a cost-effective, fully-meshed network architecture.
- Applications- For businesses with multiple locations, fully-meshed MPLS networks enable efficient application delivery over a secure, high performance network. For certain business critical applications that rely on ultra-high performance, metro Ethernet can offer reduced latency to shave precious nanoseconds where needed. Multi-point Ethernet networks can be a cost-effective option for locations concentrated in a single metro.
- Ability to grow- Fortunately, both technologies enable businesses to grow. Whether you’re adding MPLS locations to a network or ratcheting up bandwidth on an Ethernet connection, either solution makes it quick and easy
The Bottom Line – Like with anything else, there’s no perfect technology – just the best technology for you or your client. It all depends on what the client needs and what they want to focus on.