International Dedicated Line

International Dedicated Line

When an overseas branch is established and needs to be connected to the headquarters network, most companies face this issue.

They usually consider whether to configure their network environment with MPLS or SD-WAN.

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MPLS vs. Managed SD-WAN

​First, what is MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching)? It is a data transmission technique designed for high-performance communication networks.

 

Traditional IP routing uses protocols like RIP, IGRP, and BGP to create routing tables in routers. However, since a lot of traffic uses the optimal path continuously, bandwidth shortages can occur if traffic becomes concentrated on one link.

 

With MPLS, instead of using the destination IP address, it adds a label (a packet identifier) to transmit and forward data.

 

Since the data is forwarded through a single path to the destination, it can be used to separate traffic from regular routes and speed up the transmission.

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Strengths of MPLS:

• Optimized service through end-to-end dedicated line connections between headquarters and overseas branches.
• Many companies have used this solution for a long time, making it a reliable and stable solution.
• Reduced packet loss provides a consistent user experience.

Drawbacks:

• Although it provides stable, high-performance connections with direct links in desired sections, it is expensive.
• It's significantly more expensive than standard broadband internet, so careful consideration is needed.
• It takes a long time (2-3 months) for changes like branch modifications, additions, or bandwidth increases.

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Advantages of SD-WAN:

SD-WAN addresses the drawbacks of MPLS.

1. More flexible and cost-effective than MPLS.
   • It uses encrypted general internet for overseas local and domestic network sections, reducing overall maintenance costs.
2. Optimized for integration with cloud services, such as MS O365 applications.
   • It can integrate with AWS, Azure, GCP, and other SaaS services, allowing users to connect through a separate client for remote work or business travel.
3. Shorter setup time for international dedicated lines.
   • While it takes 2-3 months to set up international MPLS, Managed SD-WAN takes only 2-5 days.
   • It uses a meshed backbone built with dedicated lines for international sections, while overseas local and domestic network sections use encrypted general internet, ensuring high scalability.