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Multi Protocol Label Switching
Updated on Sep, 2026
IT and Software , Network and Security, Network Security
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Multiprotocol Label Switching, or MPLS, is a networking technology that routes traffic using the shortest path based on “labels,” rather than network addresses, to handle forwarding over private wide area networks. As a scalable and protocol-independent solution, MPLS assigns labels to each data packet, controlling the path the packet follows. MPLS greatly improves the speed of traffic, so users don’t experience downtime when connected to the network.
An MPLS network is Layer 2.5, meaning it falls between Layer 2 (Data Link) and Layer 3 (Network) of the OSI seven-layer hierarchy. Layer 2, or the Data Link Layer, carries IP packets over simple LANs or point-to-point WANs. Layer 3, or the Network Layer, uses internet-wide addressing and routing using IP protocols. MPLS sits in between these two layers, with additional features for data transport across the network
What Is MPLS Used For
Organizations often use this technology when they have multiple remote branch offices across the country or around the world that need access to a data center or applications at the organization’s headquarters or another branch location. MPLS is scalable, provides better performance and bandwidth, and improves user experience compared to traditional IP routing. But it is costly, difficult to deliver globally, and lacks the flexibility to be career independent.
As organizations move their applications to the cloud, the traditional MPLS hub-and-spoke model has become inefficient and costly because:
It requires backhauling traffic through the organization’s headquarters and out to the cloud instead of connecting to the cloud directly, which impacts performance significantly.
As companies add more applications, services, and mobile devices to their networks, the demand for bandwidth and cloud expertise increases costs and operational complexity.
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Arash Deljoo is a seasoned Cisco engineer with 15 years of expertise in network engineering, communications, and education, particularly in E-learning. He holds a Master's degree in power electrical engineering and has developed numerous training courses in both English and Persian. Over his career, Arash has taught more than 20,000 students through online and in-person courses, sharing his deep knowledge with a global audience.
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