MPLS VPN: Business Ready Networks The cost-effective, scalable and robust network solution 1
Mayuri Ghosh Senior Research Analyst Digital Transformation Practice mayurig@frost.com
Priorities and issues of a digital SME 3
Digital SMEs drive growth, maximise output, and derive costefficiencies SMEs face challenges while adopting digital technologies, as their adoption trends are different from large enterprises 5 characteristic features that define a digital SME Drivers pushing SMEs to go Digital 1 2 3 4 5 OPEX model with immediate returns Mobility is priority Sub-vertical or business type specific solutions End-to-end workflows Easy to use applications Avoid CAPEX heavy solutions Avoid large IT infrastructure Avoid generic enterprise solutions Avoid multiple and complex workflows Avoid complex applications requiring high learning curve 1 2 Increased device penetration Enhanced connectivity infrastructure Enterprise grade solutions/services 3 customised to suit SMEs Increased IT adoption from end 4 users/customers 4
Poll1 : What are the challenges that you face with your networks? 5
What are your network issues, challenges? 1 2 3 4 5 6 Minimal capital expenses Legacy network architectures Managing in-house IT department Managing multiple business locations Cost-effective way to manage scalability Secured connection for a remote and mobile workforce 6
MPLS comes to the rescue 7
How can MPLS solve network issues? New performanceenhancing applications Outsourced routing Enhanced productivity for remote and mobile workers MPLS Provides a cost-effective WAN solution Enables easy deployment of expansive intranets and extranets Only one network to manage Leased Lines are highly secured as they are dedicated connections for a specific enterprise s traffic, whereas public internet is the least secured. On the other hand, MPLS provides the benefits of a dedicated line, along with shared network elements. 8
Why do you choose MPLS and not Leased Lines? MPLS MPLS has multiple flavors, is less expensive and easier to deploy. MPLS also has the capability to prioritise traffic and establish quality of service levels. Leased Lines Leased lines are difficult to scale, require huge investments and time to deploy. 9
Why would you choose MPLS and not Internet? MPLS MPLS provide enterprises with the required 99.99%, reliability with QoS feature that ensures traffic prioritisation, VoIP calls over data traffic. Internet Basic internet connections are limited in their reliability and QoS, thus impacting application performance and user experience. 10
How secured is an MPLS network? MPLS is the most widespread technology used for providing VPN services, thus securing an MPLS architecture is of great concern to both service providers and enterprises. Leased Lines are highly secured as they are dedicated connections for a specific enterprise s traffic, whereas public internet is the least secured. On the other hand, MPLS provides the benefits of a dedicated line, along with the shared network elements. VPNs encrypt data transmission and simultaneously ensure that the encrypted data is received by the authorised receiver. To ensure this, there are authentication at the end-points of the VPN tunnel, thereby connecting only the authorised firewalls, servers and end-users to connect to the network. 11
What are the different types of MPLS architecture? MPLS Point to Point MPLS IP/VPN VPLS Use case Suitable for enterprises requiring high bandwidth between a few sites Suitable for large enterprises with multiple sites to connect Suitable for TV broadcasters, media houses and the financial sector due its simplicity, robustness, and scalability. Advantages Cost effective Easy management of routing tables Scalable, flexible Scalable for faster deployment Improved latency Supports CoS for traffic prioritisation and differentiated Low latency Scalable with the ease of deployment QoS/CoS Fast, secure and homogenous network Disadvantages Point to multipoint is not supported Suitable for 10 Mbps and above bandwidths Not suitable for smaller networks Enterprises manage their own network 12
How can MPLS connect you to the cloud? Hosted Private Cloud Remote Office / Traveler Branch office On premise Datacenter MPLS network Headquarters Public Cloud laas/saas Branch office 13
Poll 2 : How do you want your MPLS service provider to assist you in optimising your network efficiency? 14
What are the key attributes of a MPLS for SMEs? Provide smart and superior network performance Provide secure connectivity to 5 or even fewer locations Provide cost-effective scalability Provide protection for cloud Be future ready for hybrid architectures 15
Key questions to ask your MPLS service provider 16
How to choose the right MPLS service provider for your business? How robust is the service provider network? The network should be a fully meshed infrastructure, which provides alternative routes to key points in the network, to ensure there is no failure in connection. If there is any failure, the traffic on the primary network should be automatically rerouted to a secondary network. How secure is the service provider network? The service provider s security policy should include network protection and comply to the industry standards, to protect from the vandalism of the network copper and fiber. The service provider should have a robust intrusion detection system and authentication processes to disable cyber attacks. How does the service provider assure network performance? The network should be able to cope with increased traffic, thus enabling enterprises to run their business critical applications smoothly. Along with providing higher capacities in terms of speeds and bandwidths, providers QoS capabilities and resource availability for future requirements should also be taken into consideration. 17
How to choose the right MPLS service provider for your business? How is network performance monitored? The network provider should have powerful tools for 24/7 automated monitoring and other surveillance tools to proactively detect and resolve faults. This should act as a key differentiator while selecting a service provider. Network providers should implement best-of-breed tools for automated fault detection, management and incident reporting. How agile and scalable is the service provider network? The network should be scalable and flexible to support growth and adopt new technologies without further investment in building additional infrastructure. The network should be able to deliver business class cloud services, such as voice, data backup, Internet and corporate VPNs to all locations. The network should also seamlessly connect remote, mobile and home workers to the core network. How does the service provider ensure your business continuity in the event of a disaster or calamity? In case of a disaster or calamity, the service provider will be in a position to reroute traffic, using alternative connections, thus ensuring that business continuous as usual. In case of short term exigencies, such as power failure, essential services and business critical applications continue to be in operation. The service provider should have multiple data centers connected with each other as backup, in case of a calamity. 18
How to choose the right MPLS service provider for your business? What level of support will your service provider offer? The service provider should consider providing support by phone, web and email; support is to be available 24/7 or specified business hours. The service provide should have a team of experienced support engineers or a round clock call centers to address to the needs of the enterprises. Does the service provider offer selfservice network management tools? The service provider should provide customers with a portal to log in and update incident tickets, receive network performance reports online. The service provider should liaise with the enterprise IT department and seamlessly exchange information. 19
Case Study 20
Case Study: MPLS addressed the challenges of connecting a widespread network of distributors/retailers The enterprise wanted to rise up the value chain from being a mere sanitary ware provider to a bath solutions provider. It wanted to consult its customers and be involved in their decision making process, when renovating or building bath and wellness spaces in their houses/offices. The Challenge A premium bath solutions provider, wanted to provide its customers with best-in class in-store experience and excel in customer satisfaction. In order to display its entire product range, it needed huge investments on shop floor space and merchandise management. Further, a large team of architects advising customers on the design of their bath and wellness spaces were based out of the headquarters. Lastly, it wanted to seamlessly connect its widespread network of dealers/retailers, to gain real-time insights on business data. The Solution A strong and a stable MPLS network would also enable connectivity among all the dealer/retailer stores and headquarters. The same network could also be used to provide collaboration services, such as video conferencing, to dial-in and connect with dealers/retailers across the nation. Also, MPLS powered several critical business applications, such as ERP, to provide the real-time business insights The Benefits Improved in-store customer experience 15% increase in sales 20% savings on travel costs 15% increase in operational efficiencies 99% uptime for its business applications 21
Case Study: A private bank expands its retail operations with a scalable future-ready network An MPLS service provider interconnects several branches of a private sector bank with MPLS as the backbone in a hub and spoke model. This model enabled the bank to gain network connectivity which is scalable to thousands of sites and reliable also. The Challenge A private sector bank wanted to set up a Pan-India communications network to connect all its branches, with a network that is scalable and reliable. To maintain business uptime and enhance efficiency in operations, the bank required secondary links in certain branches/locations with redundancies. The Solution The MPLS service provider set up an MPLS backbone with a hub and spoke model to interconnect all the branches of the private bank. This architecture provided the bank with the necessary reliability, scalability and QoS. The service provider ensured redundancies by strengthening the network enough for critical financial transactions. Along with this, the bank was provided with customised bandwidth connectivity to prime and remote branches. The Benefits Stringent SLA parameters with penalty clause based service Low latency with automatic bandwidth up gradation High uptime for its business applications 22
Tata Docomo service portfolio Enterprise Connectivity Mobility Solutions IoT Solutions Marketing Solutions Enterprise Collaboration ILL Sales Application Fleet Tracking Toll Services Conferencing MPLS VPN Service Application School Bus Tracking Call Register Services Business Application Leased Line Collection Application Asset Tracking (CRS) L2 Multi Cast Research Application Workforce Tracking Hosted IVR Voice Solutions Mobile Device Automated Meter Short Messaging International Bridging Management (MDM) Reading (AMR) Services (SMS) Services (IBS) Managed Security IDC Services CDN Mobile Photon 23
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