Layer 3 IP VPNs provide a similar solution to our Layer 2 VPLS, however there are several key points of difference between the two solutions, each of which results in important advantages:

Protocol - Layer 3 solutions are limited to IP protocol so some applications will require special handling to bring them onto the network. VPLS on the other hand is a protocol-agnostic Ethernet solution which can support both IP and non-IP applications. In other words, if an application can run on a company's LAN it can run on their WAN. This feature saves our customers time and money from reduced administration.

Architecture - The simplicity of the network as a switched solution means the addition of a new site can be done quickly and inexpensively via a VLAN, whereas with the routed MPLS solution, routing tables need to be reconfigured, which takes longer. This means we can respond to our customers' changing needs faster than our competitors. In addition, it means customers only see the routers of their own network i.e. it is a transparent WAN to the customer.

Quality of service - The quality of service (QoS) of Layer 2 VPLS compared to that using a Layer 3 MPLS VPN is far superior. With our Ethernet network, our customers have the ability to measure very precise end-to-end service levels in terms of latency, packet loss and jitter in line with the 802.3ah. This has not been available in the UK before and remedies one of the main criticisms of wide area Ethernet networks - the inability to manage the first mile.

The key feature that improves QoS over typical Layer 3 MPLS solutions is our 'service aware' capability which basically enables higher priority traffic to automatically take precedence over non-critical traffic. While many competitor networks have had the ability to put inter-site traffic into different priority queues for some time, it was always necessary for the traffic to be pre-identified by the customer. Exponential-e's 'service aware' feature removes the need for the customer to 'tag' traffic as it can identify different traffic flows and automatically prioritise data according to the customer's definition of those priorities. The feature is so sensitive that even where HTTP protocols are more commonly used for Internet surfing, mission critical applications traffic can now be identified and given a higher priority.

Security - The security of our VPLS network is second to none as it is run in the Layer 2 environment which is not hackable unlike MPLS solutions that exist in Layer 3. Furthermore, different VLANs can be presented to the customer as separate cables allowing, for example, the "clean" office network traffic to be separated from "dirty" public Internet traffic, enabling the customer to minimise the possibility of security breech.

Scalable bandwidth - Bandwidth changes on VLANs are made through simple software changes. This means that our customers are not restricted to buying bandwidth in large steps but can buy exactly as their usage requirements dictate up to the limit of their physical access circuits capacity.

Pricing - Low cost CPE, lower cost management systems, less support manpower required by the service provider and a generally more efficient network mean that we can offer the technology at very competitive prices to our customers.

Future-proof - VPLS is fully scalable and, being protocol agnostic, it is suitable for all types of traffic negating any need to rip out existing infrastructure should our customers need to upgrade again.

For more information about VPLS please email us or call us on: +44 (0) 845 470 4001

Our regional VPLS seminars & WAN planning workshops are the perfect way to learn more about VPLS and the significant benefits a VPLS WAN can bring to any organisation. Please click here to find out more...