MPLS Vs. E-LAN: What is the Difference?

MPLS and E-LAN are two networking technologies that aid in the distribution of packets in a network.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a layer 2.5 packet forwarding protocol that uses labels to efficiently forward data packets in a network.

E-LAN, on the other hand, is a technology that interconnects different LANs in a Metropolitan area network, allowing them to behave as if they were on the same LAN by establishing direct communication between the host devices in each of those LANs.

In this article, we will delve deep into MPLS vs. E-LAN, highlighting the differences between the two technologies

MPLS vs. E-LAN: 10 Key Differences

Here are some of the ways that MPLS differs from E-LAN:

1. MPLS is a packet forwarding technology that uses labels to make forwarding decisions, while E-LAN is a grouping technology that groups different LANs existing in different branches of a metropolitan area and makes them virtually on the same Local area network.
2. MPLS operates on layer 2.5 of the OSI model, while E-LAN operates at layer 2.
3. Implementation: MPLS can be implemented in a Local Area network, a metropolitan area network, or a wide area network, while E-LAN is mostly implemented in a Metropolitan Area Network.
4. Protocol Usage: E-LAN utilizes Ethernet as the underlying protocol for data transmission between connected LANs, while MPLS uses various protocols, such as IP, ATM, Frame Relay, or Ethernet.
5. Provider Dependency: E-LAN is often provided by Ethernet service providers, and customers rely on the service provider’s infrastructure for communication between LANs, while customers can have their own MPLS network within their organization or lease the service from providers.
6. Technology Type: E-LAN is similar to VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) or L2VPN (Layer 2 Virtual Private Network). It allows you to have either multiple VLANs (Virtual LANs) interconnected as separate entities or one large VLAN extending across the network, while MPLS, on the other hand, is typically used for L3VPN (Layer 3 Virtual Private Network) implementations. It involves routing at the network layer and is focused on forwarding data based on IP addresses.
7. Control and Support: The control and management of E-LAN services might be more challenging compared to L3VPN (MPLS).
8. Service Scope: E-LAN services are commonly provided by Metro Ethernet service providers, and their coverage is within a metropolitan area, while MPLS services are widely used for creating virtual private networks (VPNs) that connect locations across larger geographic regions or even globally.
9. Communication Model: E-LAN establishes a full mesh network topology, allowing direct communication between all sites connected to the service, while MPLS uses a label-switching model, where labels are assigned to packets to determine their path through the network.
10. Service Type: E-LAN is primarily used for point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint connectivity, suitable for scenarios with multiple branch locations, while MPLS can offer various services, including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and any-to-any connectivity.

Conclusion

MPLS and E-LAN are two networking technologies that can be implemented on the same network. MPLS focused on enhancing efficient packet forwarding with secure and faster transmission speeds, while E-LAN focused on grouping different LANs into virtually the same LAN to establish direct communication between them.
A combination of both MPLS and E-LAN in a network helps create scalable, secure, and high-performance networks that cater to diverse communication needs.