Cisco Thinks Ahead For MPLS VPNs

Cisco Systems took the wraps off a pack of technologies that assist ISPs in managing services over Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) virtual private networks (VPNs).

by Michael Singer of siliconvalley.internet.com [June 27, 2002]

Cisco Systems said its four new technologies in its Cisco IOS Software include Multicast VPNs, Network Address Translation (NAT), On Demand Address Pools (ODAP) and VPN Select. The tools are designed to help Internet service providers capture more customers and revenue to boot.

Once inside the enterprise network, the networking equipment giant said the tools could help service providers move beyond providing connectivity services and offer their customers more services.

What kind of services? Oh, simple things like unified messaging, content hosting, and Internet access managed across multiple MPLS VPNs with simple controls on the cheap.

"Cisco's MPLS enhancements have given us improved network efficiencies and added functionality for our IP VPN customers," says Charles Salameh, vice president of Bell Managed Solutions, Bell Canada. "The MPLS solution is easily integrated into our infrastructure and offers tremendous interoperability that, in the end, provides operational savings to us as a carrier while allowing us to seamlessly deliver new services to customers."

Minimizing configuration time, the Multicast VPN functions as a services builder, which could reduce packet replication in the MPLS network and allow for better distribution of data, voice, and video streams.

The company said the enhancements to NAT extend address translation for private IP addressing to MPLS VPNs, allowing access to shared services from any VPN without losing the VPN association or compromising connectivity. ODAP automates the expansion of IP address pools for VPNs, enabling service providers to more effectively manage IP address spaces across multiple VPNs.

Cisco said it has also added support for broadband access with the new feature VPN Select. The program lets remote users with high-speed links connect to the corporate VPN irrespective of their access providers.

"Cisco's MPLS enhancements have given us improved network efficiencies and added functionality for our IP VPN customers," says Salameh. "The MPLS solution is easily integrated into our infrastructure and offers tremendous interoperability that, in the end, provides operational savings to us as a carrier while allowing us to seamlessly deliver new services to customers."

The company said the tools are now available through Cisco's regular sales channels.

— End