Difference between SD-WAN and MPLS?

Debate between SD-WAN and MPLS

The emergence of software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) is based on traditional hardware-based networks that provide software-defined networking (SDN), Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), a protocol for efficient network traffic. MPLS operates like switches and routers, between Layer 2 and Layer 3 (MPLS is sometimes considered Layer 2.5), which uses packet forwarding techniques and labels to make data forwarding decisions. Labels are applied to Between Layer 2 (data link) and Layer 3 (network) header.

The following are the differences, advantages and disadvantages of SD-WAN and MPLS in the battle for network traffic protocols.

Second, MPLS advantages and disadvantages

One of the most important aspects of MPLS is the reliable delivery of packets. MPLS typically provides superior quality of service in terms of avoiding packet loss and maintaining the most important traffic flow for the service. This reliability is important for maintaining voice over IP (VoIP). The quality of real-time protocols such as these is especially important.

Since the above tags actually isolate the data packets and ensure the reliability of the MPLS, the MPLS provider can also assign higher priority to certain network traffic, bringing traffic predictability within the network, and the network path. It can be predetermined so that the packets travel only along the path they point to.

Read More; mpls vs sdwan