Archive for the ‘MPLS’ Category

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Secure Your SIP with MPLS

Session initiation protocol, also known as SIP, is employed within an IP network for establishing sessions that can be as basic as a phone call or more complex, such as a collaborative multimedia conference. Typically deployed over SIP trunking or dedicated Internet access, experts are looking at SIP over multiprotocol label switching as an alternative way to offer even more benefits.

Multiprotocol label switching, or MPLS, carries all protocols through a Wide Area Network (WAN) using labels to define both its class of service and its destination. In addition, MPLS also generates a VPN for your traffic within the carrier cloud.

Over MPLS, SIP still provides convergence capabilities and cost savings, but also offers enhanced call quality with less jitter, low latency, improved end-to-end quality of service and capacity control. Moreover, because MPLS circumvents your exposure to the public Internet, SIP over MPLS provides increased security, management, reliability and performance than the alternatives. Level 3 Communications’ director of product management, Chris Connor added that, “Typically the SLAs and performance characteristics of those voice/video queues within carrier MPLS networks are a lot better, so you are going to get much better performance for voice services than you would over a best-efforts public Internet service.”

For companies with multiple branches – particularly those with 15 or more – employing SIP over MPLS can provide even more cost savings due to centralized SIP trunking. Other candidates that could benefit from SIP over MPLS include:

  • Those who require high availability services
  • Those with sensitive traffic that calls for a private and secure WAN
  • Those who utilize high-bandwidth conferencing services, such as web conferencing
  • Those with footprints that cross Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier territories that would benefit from centralized management

Centralized SIP trunking routes any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) traffic through a central site over WAN links (i.e. MPLS), allows you to share voice calling capacity throughout your entire enterprise, and eliminates your local voice trunks and phone systems as well as the expenses of long distance calls between network sites.

US Signal’s director of sales engineering, Jim Schmidt, added that with SIP over MPLS, you decide the size of your line as well as what goes across them. “So in contrast to an Internet circuit where you may get a denial-of-service attack that could adversely impact your voice traffic, on an MPLS network, that’s not going to happen.”

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Expansion is in the Air!

Many leading communications service providers are expanding their networks, and network offerings to meet the needs of both domestic and international customers. Take a look at what’s been going on lately:

Global Crossing Expands Enterprise Network Security Features
Last week, New Jersey-based Global Crossing instituted an enhanced portfolio of enterprise network-geared security capabilities. The new security features include web content filtering, intrusion prevention service, antivirus and anti-spam capabilities as well as a firewall.

Today’s businesses are facing an ever-evolving number of network security threats. Global Crossing’s chief marketing officer, Dave Carey, reported that “Global Crossing recognizes the need to address – in a holistic manner – the entire spectrum of these potentially revenue-impacting attacks.”

In addition, Global Crossing is also employing a new Event Management and Security information platform that generates and posts reports to the customer portal, and offers consulting services that include vulnerability evaluations, penetration testing, security assessments and audits.

TelePacific Expands Ethernet Network
Due to an increasing demand for additional bandwidth, TelePacific Communications is expanding its Ethernet network. The California-based Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) plans to more than double its current 52 Ethernet-over-copper (EoC) wire centers to reach a total number of 120. TelePacific’s VP of marketing, David Zahn, believes that expanding TelePacific’s EoC services is “a great way for us to meet that demand.” In addition to EoC offerings, the expansion will make Ethernet over T1 and Ethernet over DS3 available in every market TelePacific serves.

TelePacific’s comprehensive portfolio of Ethernet transport provides enterprise customers service speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps – and almost any increment in between. Depending upon the distance from the serving wire center, TelePacific EoC deployment offers data, voice and Internet access speeds that vary from 1 Mbps to 10 Mbps.

XO Expands World-wide Network Services
XO Communications is expanding its international network services capabilities to better address the needs of its growing domestic and international customer base. According to XO, this will include European IP/MPLS IP-VPN nodes, and access to 48 countries throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia/Pacific, and US territories of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam.

The expansion will enable XO to provide carrier and enterprise customers Dedicated Internet Access, MPLS IP-VPN, Private Line and Ethernet services to more locations worldwide. On an international level, it will allow XO to provide more comprehensive universal network coverage for an extensive array of WAN and connectivity solutions.

Posted in Ethernet Service, Global Crossing, Internet T1, Internet T3, MPLS, Private Line, TelePacific, Tier-1 Carrier Networks, XO | No Comments »

New Edge Networks MPLS Over DSL

After three months of successful testing, New Edge Networks rolled out its MPLS over DSL service. New Edge reports that the new MPLS over DSL will be offered in most areas where DSL is available.

Until recently, data prioritization and tagging with CoS (classes of service) was only available on pricey T1 lines with MPLS. New Edge Networks MPLS over DSL service permits the prioritizing and tagging of traffic over DSL with as many as 5 MPLS CoS – a first for any US telecommunications operator.

New Edge Networks VP of marketing, Greg Griffiths, has high hopes for MPLS over DSL, calling the service a breakthrough that “helps small and midsize businesses avoid network congestion problems due to the convergence of communications applications, such as VoIP phone calls and other latency-sensitive services, over DSL access.”

In addition, a recent press statement noted that New Edge Networks also provides an option for businesses that do not yet have the funds justify the expense of a T1 line (which typically starts at around $500 and goes up from there depending upon the location) and therefore chose to defer implementation of productivity applications as well.

New Edge Networks MPLS over DSL service closes the vast pricing difference between conventional enterprise-class DSL and a T1 line. According to Griffiths, it also permits companies with DSL-based networks to add supplementary applications without the possibility of “compromising performance.” Pricing for the new service consist of a $100 payment on top of the price of a fully managed DSL-based private network (roughly $140 per month depending upon the location). This includes as many as 5 CoS with bandwidth optimization over DSL access, a Cisco router upgrade, and improved service level guarantees.

To put it into perspective, the average cost for a full T1 line starts around $500 – depending upon the location and distance from the carrier. A number of carriers only provide T1 network management and MPLS classes of service as added options.

Why New Edge?
New Edge Networks offers a host of high-speed, business-class solutions with first-class customer care available 24/7 for businesses of all sizes – and a nationwide footprint capable of servicing almost any business address in the US. As a single-source provider of private managed networks, New Edge Networks eliminates the complexity and inconvenience of managing multiple carrier relationships – giving you one provider, one point of contact, and one bill.

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XO Communications Expands Its 19,000 Mile Nationwide Network

Composed of 186 cities and townships, Minneapolis – St. Paul is the most populated urban area in Minnesota. Also known as the Twin Cities, an interesting fact about St. Paul is that the name of the original settlement that became St. Paul was Pig’s Eye (named for the French-Canadian whiskey trader, Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, who had led squatters to the settlement).

XO Communications has recently extended the reach of its nationwide 19,000 mile network across the Twin Cities metropolitan area. By instituting added points of presence across the Minneapolis – St. Paul metro area, XO has more than doubled its addressable market – allowing XO to service hundreds to thousands of new companies as well as provide a more viable option for their local and long distance networking and communications needs.

Minnesota XO Communications general manager, Mark Feil has said that XO is “very excited” about the network expansion and the ability to serve more businesses. Feil went on to report that because of XO Communications’ winning combination of their broad network reach, numerous network access options, and extensive portfolio of services, “XO Communications is uniquely positioned as a leading competitive alternative for businesses’ communications and network needs.”

The extension tacks on an additional 190 route miles to the XO metropolitan network and increases XO Communications’ reach to include the eastern and northern suburbs of Shoreview, Blaine, Anoka, Fridley, Crystal and Maplewood. Moreover, in order to increase the availability of high-speed, scalable Ethernet services to businesses in the Twin Cities area, XO has deployed Ethernet-over-copper technology more broadly across its network.

The extension also comes on the heels of XO Communication’s announcement of a six year, multi-vendor agreement for providing managed network services to the United States Postal Service in February of this year. The services include: engineering, design, installation, MPLS IP-VPN and router management to over 1,400 United States Postal Service locations, and is expected to bring in $45 million in revenues.

XO Communication’s expansions are good news – especially during these difficult economic times. XO grew less than 1 percent last year, and CO Holdings Co. reported annual revenues that were basically flat in 2010. Ascribing their losses to a $20 million impairment charge related to its LMDS licenses, XO finished out 2010 with cash and cash equivalents of $69.6 million.

Additional Resources
Contact one of our professional account managers today to see what XO services and products can do for your business!

 

T1 Costs || T1 Speed

Posted in Ethernet Service, MPLS, VPN, XO | No Comments »

MPLS Service

Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is reliable, cost efficient, and the technology of choice for carrying high-speed data and digital voice on a single connection. Now rapidly replacing frame relay and ATM, MPLS is an ideal solution for eliminating traffic across your network because it has the ability to prioritize mission-critical traffic – including voice, video and data applications – over less urgent applications like email and web browsing.

MPLS Overview

MPLS is not a specific type of service, but a form of protocol that can be used to deliver any kind of circuit – from Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPNs) to optical connectivity, depending on customer requirements – and to label data packets. In terms of conventional IP networks, packets are routed depending on the data’s network-layer header.

MPLS has the ability to enable the routing process to accelerate as it labels each packet arriving on the network. As indicated on the header label, each network router retains information on handling different packet types. Simply put, it lightens the load of routers and minimizes the use of necessary resources. Once the load on the network infrastructure is lightened, the packet transmission speed is significantly improved.

The advantages of MPLS are best seen in circumstances where real-time traffic is organized to be given preference over data packets that do not require the same amount of speed or priority. The usage of a traditional IP circuit becomes a critical dilemma as all traffic is handled equally. Problems arise as the demand for bandwidth temporarily surpasses the circuit capacity, and the router starts to discard packets. Less urgent applications such as email receive the same network priority as real-time video or audio conferences. When all applications receive the same network priority, phone calls or video transmission quality declines because the two sources battle for priority. Employing an MPLS network instantly assigns prioritization of real-time voice and video.

The bottom line: MPLS gives top priority to your urgent, mission-critical IP traffic, enabling it to reach its destination promptly. In addition, application is effortless and does not require you to make major changes on your network infrastructure.

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Top 10 Things to look for when choosing an Internet Service Provider

When it comes to choosing an Internet service provider there are a multitude of options – both for the provider you choose, as well as the type of service. Before signing up with an ISP, take a close look at what each one has to offer, in order to be sure you get the services you need at a price you can afford.

10 Steps to Follow:

  1. Determine your budget. The faster your internet speeds, the higher the cost. Those on a tight budget have the more economical options of dial up or even a light version of DSL. Also, phone companies often give discounts for bundled internet and phone services.
  2. Look for ISPs with good ratings in your specific area. A number of ISPs may have great ratings in one area of the country but fail miserably in yours. A good idea is to talk with your neighbors or local businesses to find out how they feel about their ISP.
  3. Once you’ve begun narrowing your list down to the ISPs within your budget and with positive reviews in your area, check to see which of those offer special deals on bundled services. Most cable and phone companies offer bundled deals when you purchase phone, TV, and Internet services together, and give incentives for signing up for specific times, or contract lengths. But, as always, buyer beware – typically once that year is up you’ll find yourself paying regular price, which can be almost double.
  4. Next, take a look at customer support. Is it offered 24/7; how are they rated? Remember that a computer isn’t limited to breaking down from 9am to 5pm, and even the best and most expensive connections can experience technical issues or downtime. Know whether you will receive live support and/or email, and if they charge a fee.
  5. Decide the speed you need. Most ISPs offer plans with prices based on download speeds. Slower DSL (also known as DSL light) or cable speeds are the most cost-efficient for those only wanting to browse the web and utilize email. That being said, if you’re looking to play online games, transmit data or stream movies and TV, you’ll definitely want a faster Internet.
  6. Subsequently, see if they offer a free email account. Most ISPs offer at least one free email address. Others may provide more or charge a small fee for additional email addresses.
  7. Then, see which ISPs provide anti-virus email protection. Many viruses sneak onto a computer via email, and having it scanned before reaching your inbox offers an added level of security.
  8. Don’t automatically omit dial-up. With all the new advances in Internet services, dial-up has been given a bad reputation for quite some time. The truth is, there are still many parts of the country where dial-up is the only option, particularly rural areas. Aside from dial-up, satellite is a good – but expensive – alternative.
  9. Avoid usage caps. Occasionally ISPs will limit the amount of time you can use the Internet. Although not all ISPs have this, make sure to read each policy carefully to avoid any inconveniences.
  10. Look for a company that has an online bill payment option. Most large Internet providers do, while smaller providers, especially dial-up services, do not. Paying online is quick, saves paper, and just makes life a lot simpler.

Posted in Checklist, Dedicated, DIA, Internet T1, Internet T3, ISP, Local, MPLS, Private Line, Tips, voip, VPN | No Comments »

NewEdge MPLS

If you’re a growing business that relies heavily on Internet and network services, then you know there’s nothing worse than the massive slowdown of your network’s traffic speed. New Edge offers a solution for all your network woes with its multi protocol label switching (MPLS) network service. With up to five Classes of Service (CoS) you can optimize your bandwidth usage and get the most out of your network. It also helps you connect with other access points and end-users by optimizing the method of how data packets are sent throughout the wide area network (WAN).

New Edge offers more than managed IP network solutions; they offer a flexible, customer-centric approach. Their protocol-based high-speed network solution will benefit your current infrastructure in a variety of ways. MPLS is hands-down the most efficient system you can adopt for your WAN. It helps boost your business productivity by improving end-to-end connection and data transfer without sacrificing the overall health of your network’s bandwidth.

How it works

New Edge’s MPLS service combines a variety of traffic over one network while ensuring your bandwidth is never compromised. How does it do that? Simple: by keeping a close watch on the flow of data and identifying the various classes of traffic. The protocol then prioritizes heavy traffic that requires more attention, and allocates more resources to that data packet.

The system also makes it easier for the user to generate new access points throughout the network if necessary, and the rerouting system of the MPLS protocol makes it easier to reroute traffic should the network be compromised.

New Edge has tailored their service to work with DSL or T-1 connection speeds and using a variety of protocols such as frame relay and ATM. And thanks to the exclusive Class of Service traffic prioritization feature provided by New Edge MPLS networks, your network can be one of the many businesses that have benefited from a purely MPLS network.

Benefits

As you consider adopting MPLS, it is important to understand the benefits of MPLS in comparison to your existing network infrastructure as well as how service and support vary across MPLS providers.

Because MPLS is highly scalable and less complex than its predecessors, businesses gain more flexibility, less overhead and improved control over network costs. MPLS makes it easy to reroute traffic priorities on the fly, or add new locations to the network whenever you need to.

  • Prioritize/optimize voice, video and data applications
  • Fit MPLS in your budget with T1 and/or DSL
  • Reduce transit delays and transaction times
  • Divert traffic around link failures and network congestion
  • Add new locations quickly
  • Enhance security and simplify disaster recovery
  • Streamline network implementation and management
  • Share a network-based Internet access port without provisioning separate access circuits

Features

  • Nationwide coverage
  • Secure, private Cisco Powered network
  • Five Classes of Service (CoS) over T1 and DSL
  • CoS honored edge-to-edge over T1 and DSL
  • Managed Cisco CPE option
  • Multiple routing protocols supported
  • Industry-leading SLAs based on CoS
  • Free online network management portal
  • Dedicated project management
  • Enable and prioritize realtime applications
  • Lower total cost of ownership

What to expect

Using a combination of frame relay (Layer 2) and IP-VPN (Layer 3) protocols, New Edge’s system is both a functional and secure network with a flexible bandwidth designed specifically to help you run mission-priority objectives without suffering from external and internal noise from end-to-end. The system is also masked from the rest of the public network, which means that your data is safe from any IP security threats.

You also have the choice of setting up a main network and a backup network should your main system fail. In the event of a system malfunction, you can seamlessly switch from your T-1 system (main) to your DSL network (backup) in order to retain the continuous transfer of data with minimal losses.

An Industry First:

New Edge is the first provider to bring together Class of Service traffic management with high-speed, low-cost DSL access, which puts the performance gain of MPLS networks within reach of more businesses.

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Sprint MPLS

The Sprint multi protocol label switching (MPLS) service is a collective business tool that is geared towards helping you increase your network visibility on the web. Sprint’s VPN lets you set up a virtual private network designed to help you send a combination of voice, data, and video packets through a dedicated infrastructure that is guaranteed to maintain the quality of information you send out throughout your network.

This network is tailor-made for wide area commercial demands because Sprint ensures that you can channel a variety of traffic from end-to-end, with limited loss in the data’s structural integrity. What this means is that if you need to transmit bandwidth-critical data, you will have a network backbone that will help you do so efficiently.

What can Sprint do for You?

Sprint’s VPN eliminates your need for large-scale system administration, even if you have to work with a complicated network. This is due to several factors; first – and foremost – the technology’s overhead is relatively cheap. It takes very little capital to develop and maintain a MPLS network, both for you and for Sprint. Secondly, the maintenance of the system is handled by Sprint’s very own team of outsourced professionals who take care of the day-to-day tweaking and systems analysis of the equipment required to keep the network running smoothly.

Sprint’s MPLS is also one of the most flexible networks in the industry today. It provides you with the opportunity to allow multiple local access support and systems routing if necessary. And the best part is, the rate of transfer throughout all of these access points is real-time and carried out through an isolated protocol. This means that your data is protected from – and invisible to – the rest of the public Internet, except where you need it to be visible.

The service is cost-effective as well; you can choose from a bare-bones package or select from a series of services designed to increase the integrity and efficiency of your network. Such examples of these are Sprint’s very own network-based firewall, a user-defined remote access service, and the creation of wireless access points. The consistent performance of the Sprint system is backed up by service level agreements, at no extra charge.

The Sprint quality of service

All data transferred throughout Sprint’s network set-up is segmented and passes through a series of routers using the MPLS protocol. The data is private and masked; guaranteeing all of the data you send through these lines is safe from unauthorized entities.

You are also warranted flexible speeds from traditional dial-up 64kbps to 1000Mbps, with a quality of service assurance that your network detects and prioritizes without interfering with functions of a lesser priority such as e-mail services and standard web browsing.

Working with an international WAN? No problem: Sprint’s service supports up to four multiple routing protocols and utilizes a simplified migration path that can reach off-net locales. And should anything go wrong in any of your off-shore access points, Sprint provides internal technical support in more than thirty countries.

Posted in MPLS, Sprint | 1 Comment »

MPLS by NewEdge

A growing business that relies heavily on Internet and network services needs the kind of service that emphasizes quality and safeguards against the massive slowdown of network traffic speeds. New Edge has a solution for all your network woes. With its multi protocol label switching (MPLS) network service, New Edge brings to your business a protocol-based high-speed network solution that will benefit your current infrastructure in a variety of ways.

MPLS is the most efficient system you can adopt for your wide area network (WAN). It functions in a way that facilitates the flow of data around your network, and it can help you boost your business productivity by improving end-to-end connection and data transfer. This system conducts information throughout your network without sacrificing the overall health of your network’s bandwidth. It helps you connect throughout your network – as well as to your end-users – by optimizing the method of how your data packets are sent throughout the WAN.

How it works

New Edge’s MPLS service sends a variety of traffic over one network without compromising your bandwidth. How does it do that? It keeps a close watch on the traffic through your network, observing the flow of data and identifying the various classes of traffic. It then tags the different data packets, segregating heavy-bandwidth data such as video and audio conferencing from light bandwidth data like e-mail and web browsing. Once it has done all that, the protocol then prioritizes heavy traffic that requires a significantly heavier bandwidth, and allocates more resources to that data packet.

The system also makes it easier for the user to generate new access points throughout the network if necessary, making it easier for you to connect newer components in your business. Arguably the biggest benefit of New Edge’s service is that the rerouting system of the MPLS protocol makes it easier for you keep the network up when one sector undergoes system maintenance.

New Edge has tailored their service to work with DSL or T-1 connection speeds that use a variety of protocols aside from MPLS, such as frame relay and ATM. Thanks to the class of service traffic prioritization – an exclusive feature provided by New Edge MPLS networks – your WAN can be one of the many businesses that can benefit from a purely MPLS-oriented network.

What to expect

Since New Edge uses a combination of frame relay (Layer 2) and IP-VPN (Layer 3) protocols, their system is a functional, secure network with flexible bandwidth designed specifically to help you run mission-priority objectives without suffering from external and internal noise. This is also a system that runs on a completely secure line, masked from the rest of the public network, which means that your data is safe from any IP security threats.

Users also have the choice of setting up a main network and a backup network. The latter is a failsafe should your main system experience some trouble. In the event of a system malfunction, you can seamlessly switch from your T-1 system (main) to your DSL network (backup) in order to retain the continuous transfer of data with minimal losses in fidelity and structural integrity.

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MPLS for your Business

Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is the newest technology used by large area and wide area networks for transferring data in an efficient manner. This system is an improvement from other formats such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and frame relay, and is designed to increase the performance of your network by prioritizing traffic types such as voice and video applications over e-mail and web surfing. At the rate it’s going, MPLS will soon be responsible for how the majority of the world’s network systems work due to it’s efficient AND cost-effective way of moving traffic across your network.

How does MPLS work?

The easiest way to explain how MPLS works is to use a queue as an example. Your data is transferred in packets along this queue, and as it travels down the line, the protocol decides where each packet goes. In the older formats (ATM being the most prominent), the way these packets are treated is similar to a first come, first served basis. No matter what the content of each packet, all forms of data are treated equally, meaning that bulkier data packets such as voice and video transfers will be treated in the same way as the network treats e-mail requests and casual browsing.

If your network is responsible for moving large amounts of data at any given time, this can be a problem. When your queue tries to squeeze a large data packet with a bunch of lighter data packets through the wire, the quality of your data will be compromised. This can result in video and audio transfers of less-than-desired quality. If you’re holding a video conference, the loss of quality audio and video is unproductive and unprofessional.

What MPLS does is identify and differentiate between the various packets coming in through the wire. The protocol then prioritizes large data packets over those with a lighter load, helping you facilitate the seamless transfer of data without clogging your lines. This means that the speed of transmission throughout your network is increased without putting too much of a strain on your network’s infrastructure.

What can MPLS do for you?

When you require your network to handle large volumes of data transfer without sacrificing the quality, using an infrastructure with the MPLS protocol is your ideal solution. MPLS will ensure that your wide area network is free-flowing and unclogged, helping you move important data with no significant lag in terms of speed and quality, and requiring very little attention and supervision to ensure its continuous function.

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