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MPLS over DSL Advantages:
In the past, companies that needed to reach small offices with their MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) network either had to obtain relatively expensive MPLS T1, or, network small offices with small non-MPLS circuits like DSL, cable, or wireless.
Unfortunately, these small circuits were limited in their usefulness because they could not provide Class of Service (CoS) CoS facilitates packet prioritization. With packet prioritization several latency sensitive applications can be transmitted over a single bandwidth pipe. Without CoS, if a small location attempts to use two or more applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, audio or video streaming, and/or routine data transfer, there is no mechanism to ensure that the routine data transfers will not compete with voice or video packets. Lack of packet prioritization often results in poor call quality.
With MPLS over DSL, these small locations can now utilize several latency sensitive applications simultaneously over a single circuit. CoS will assign priority classifications to each application so that less latency sensitive applications cannot compete with applications that are compromised by latency or packet loss.
MPLS over DSL Availability:
Because DSL has limited range, it is not available to all locations. Urban areas have the best probability of offering access to DSL. At this time, most telecom providers which offer DSL cannot provide MPLS over DSL. Roughly 50% of the businesses located in the US can obtain MPLS over DSL. If the networked locations of a company are mostly located in urban areas, the odds are higher that they can obtain MPLS over DSL. Locations in rural areas have a lower probability of DSL MPLS access.
Even companies that have several locations that are not within the geographic range to receive DSL, can save substantial money each month by utilizing DSL MPLS.
Here is an example: A company has a network that includes 50 locations and 30 of these locations are one or two person offices. Of the 30 small offices, ten are outside the reach of DSL. This business could cover the ten locations that cannot be reached by DSL, with MPLS over T1 for about $700 each. The amount for the remaining 20 locations utilizing MPLS over DSL would amount to $150 for each location.
With this option, the total cost of MPLS networking for the thirty one person locations would be about $10,000 per month. Whereas, if MPLS over DSL was not utilized at any of the 30 locations, then MPLS over T1 would be more than twice as expensive at bout $21,000 per month. These prices are hypothetical, and can actually be higher or lower, depending on the proximity of each network location to the PoP (point of presence) of the telecom provider.
DSL MPLS Reliability:
DSL MPLS is not as reliable as MPLS over T1 or larger circuits. For this reason, if network up time is mission critical, and the most stable circuit possible is required, T1 MPLS is usually the preferred choice even if it is more expensive. If budget is the number one concern, and occasional network downtime is acceptable, then MPLS over DSL can become the preferred option.
MPLS over DSL and Upload Speed:
DSL MPLS with CoS is only provided over ADSL, not SDSL. For this reason, the bandwidth of DSL MPLS is not symmetrical. Unlike T1, ADSL does not provide the same bandwidth speeds for both upload and download. ADSL often provides very generous download bandwidth, often far greater bandwidth than the 1.54 mbps of download provided by T1. However, ADSL is often stingy on upload bandwidth. The average upload bandwidth of ADSL is commonly as low as 300 to 600 kbps. The guaranteed upload speed of most T1 circuits is 1544 kbps (1.54 mbps). For business locations that require heavy upload speed, MPLS over T1 is the preferred choice. For network locations that require high download speeds, but do not send much data (upload), MPLS over DSL can provide this need for far less expense.
For free availability and quotes for MPLS over DSL, please use the short pricing tool at the top of this page, or on our home page. It is free, easy to use, and without obligation.
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