From your study of “Access Systems and Networks”, answer the following: In a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, voice telephony is carried in IP packets. This means that telephony is actually a form of VoIP. Discuss if this kind of VoIP is similar to that used by internet-based providers such as Skype. If not, explain why.

QUESTION

Question 1:

From your study of “Access Systems and Networks”, answer the following:

1. In a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, voice telephony is carried in IP packets. This means that telephony is actually a form of VoIP. Discuss if this kind of VoIP is similar to that used by internet-based providers such as Skype. If not, explain why.

1. Discuss the drawbacks of IP routing in an IP network.

1. In MPLS, what benefit would there be in having multiple tunnels joining the same two points on the edge of an MPLS network?

1. In the absence of traditional circuit switching for voice calls, how are the technical requirements for satisfactory voice telephony met in the MPLS core network?

Note:

• The word count for each part in question should not exceed (150) words.
• You should include at least two references. Put the citations/references in a proper style.

ANSWER

Exploring VoIP in MPLS Networks: A Comparative Analysis and Technical Considerations

Introduction

In the realm of access systems and networks, multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) has emerged as a reliable and efficient technology for transmitting voice telephony over IP networks. This form of Voice over IP (VoIP) exhibits distinct characteristics when compared to internet-based VoIP providers like Skype. This essay aims to delve into the similarities and differences between MPLS-based VoIP and internet-based VoIP, explore the drawbacks of IP routing in an IP network, examine the benefits of multiple tunnels in MPLS networks, and shed light on how MPLS core networks meet the technical requirements for satisfactory voice telephony.

Similarities and Differences between MPLS-based VoIP and Internet-based VoIP

MPLS-based VoIP and internet-based VoIP share the commonality of utilizing IP packets for voice transmission. However, significant disparities arise due to differences in network infrastructure and prioritization. Internet-based VoIP relies on public internet connections that introduce variability in network conditions, potentially leading to congestion and packet loss that can degrade call quality (Faisal et al., 2012). In contrast, MPLS networks offer privately managed and dedicated paths for voice traffic, resulting in enhanced reliability and quality of service (QoS) 

Drawbacks of IP Routing in an IP Network

IP routing in IP networks is not without limitations. Dynamic routing protocols used in IP networks, such as OSPF and BGP, may make suboptimal routing decisions based on metrics like hop count or link bandwidth. This can result in longer packet delivery times, increased latency, and inefficient utilization of network resources. Additionally, IP networks lack inherent mechanisms for traffic engineering and guaranteed QoS, which can impact the consistency and quality of voice telephony.

Benefits of Multiple Tunnels in MPLS Networks

Having multiple tunnels connecting the same two points on the edge of an MPLS network brings several advantages. Firstly, it enhances network resiliency and fault tolerance. If one tunnel becomes unavailable or experiences performance degradation, traffic can be seamlessly rerouted through an alternative tunnel, minimizing service disruptions. Load balancing across multiple tunnels also optimizes network utilization and prevents congestion (Alouneh & Abed, 2010). Additionally, multiple tunnels support different classes of service or QoS requirements, ensuring that critical voice traffic receives dedicated resources while non-real-time traffic does not impede its quality.

Technical Requirements for Satisfactory Voice Telephony in MPLS Core Networks

MPLS core networks meet the technical requirements for satisfactory voice telephony through various mechanisms. Traffic engineering techniques allow explicit routing, path selection, and bandwidth reservation to ensure low latency, minimal jitter, and high network performance for voice packets (Xiao et al., 2000). Moreover, MPLS networks implement QoS mechanisms, such as Differentiated Services (DiffServ), which prioritize voice traffic by assigning it higher priority or dedicated classes of service. This prioritization guarantees the necessary network resources and queuing mechanisms for maintaining optimal voice quality (Reference 4).

Conclusion

MPLS-based VoIP in a multiprotocol label switching network offers distinct advantages over internet-based VoIP providers. MPLS networks provide controlled and dedicated paths for voice traffic, ensuring enhanced reliability and QoS. IP routing in IP networks has drawbacks such as suboptimal routing decisions and the absence of built-in traffic engineering and QoS mechanisms. Multiple tunnels in MPLS networks bring resiliency, load balancing, and the ability to support different classes of service. Technical requirements for satisfactory voice telephony in the MPLS core network are met through traffic engineering and QoS mechanisms that prioritize voice packets and allocate appropriate network resources.

References

Alouneh, S., & Abed, S. (2010). Fault tolerance and security issues in MPLS networks. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228850104_Fault_tolerance_and_security_issues_in_MPLS_networks 

Faisal, M., Uddin, J., & Shil, S. (2012). Performance of VoIP Networks Using MPLS Traffic Engineering. Advanced Materials Research, 457–458, 927–930. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.457-458.927 

Xiao, N. X., Hannan, A., Bailey, B., & Ni, L. (2000). Traffic engineering with MPLS in the Internet. IEEE Network, 14(2), 28–33. https://doi.org/10.1109/65.826369