MPLS and Next-Generation Networks: Foundations for NGN and Enterprise Virtualization

Introduction

MPLS is becoming the technology of choice for Layer 2 and Layer 3 service delivery. More than 250 service providers and enterprise customers have integrated MPLS into their networks to provide Layer 3 VPNs, implement traffic engineering, reduce costs from operating multiple networks, and increase revenues from new service options based on MPLS technology.

Chief technology officers, IT managers, network managers, service provider product managers, and service architects have many different choices in architecting and building their backbones. For example, they can build on existing Layer 2 networks and add IP routing functionality, or they can build a new high-speed packet core using multiservice devices and add Layer 2 or Layer 3 services ...