3 June 2021

VPN vs MPLS | Difference between VPN and MPLS

In the world, it is critical to fulfilling the multi-dimensional networking demands of businesses efficiently in order to keep day-to-day activities running and preserve business efficiency. VPN, MPLS, and LAN are major networking solutions in the telecommunication environment that help enterprises manage better in the era of dynamic convergent applications. So here this article gives the Difference between VPN and MPLS to better understand this topic.

What is VPN?

VPN stands for the virtual private network. It is a sort of network that is private but virtual. Because of VPN is a mechanism for handling encryption, integrity protection, and certification or authentication, we can use a public network as a private network. It creates the illusion of a private network on a public network.

What is MPLS?

MPLS stands for multipoint label switching. it is a critical data-carrying system. Its capabilities are similar to those of packet-switched networks and circuit-switched networks. In that, it emulates some of the characteristics of circuit-switched networks in a packet-switched network.

VPN vs MPLS | Difference between VPN and MPLS

  • VPN stands for the virtual private network while the MPLS stands for multipoint label switching.
  • In VPN point to point and multi-point technology used, while the MPLS is multipoint technology used.
  • In VPN work up to with 7 layers of OSI, while the MPLS works between layer 2 and layer 3 in OSI layer.
  • In VPN traffic is possible, while MPLS less traffic is possible.
  • VPN is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises, while the MPLS suitable for large size enterprises.
  • VPN is used in the encryption method, while the MPLS does not need encryption.
  • Cost is low in VPN, while the MPLS cost is high.
  • VPN supports the platform on router and firewalls, while the MPLS can be terminated at any layer 3 device router, firewall, and gigabit ethernet switch, etc.
  • In VPN customer has the control over traffic routing, while the MPLS service provider has more traffic control and its routing.
  • In VPN less preferred and reliable internet termination at customer sites from any provider, while the MPLS is more reliable and provides better user experience considering QoS has been implemented.
  • VPN is not supported on IPSEC VPN. Need to implement GRE over IPsec which incurs additional configuration and overhead, while the MPLS is supported multicast traffic
  • In VPN basic requirement being internet termination at customer sites from any provider, while the MPLS is limited up to the location where the service provider has a network laid out or has a partnership with another service provider.
  • VPN is a wide array of cloud-based services available for customers over the internet using VPN-based connectivity, while the MPLS is limited availability of cloud-based services for customers over MPLS.
  • VPN is customer need to perform configuration and provisioning of VPN setup over IPsec support box, while the MPLS is service provider is responsible for providing and maintaining MPLS connectivity, which relieves customers from the burden of configuring the devices.
  • VPN is easy and fast deployment like SSL/IPsec remote access VPN for remote home user via internet. While the MPLS is easy anf fast deployment like SSL/IPsec remote access VPN for the remote home user via the internet.
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Thank you for reading this article, If you have any queries regarding this article on VPN vs MPLS then feel free to do comment and give suggestions in the comment section below.