MicroNugget: What is Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)?

In this video, Keith Barker explains how to use MPLS instead of IP forwarding on a packet-by-packet basis. Applications that depend on MPLS infrastructures like Layer 3 VPNs and pseudo-wires need administrators trained in using labels instead of IP addresses to make data forwarding decisions.

These days, there’s not much of a speed difference between MPLS and IP forwarding, but when MPLS infrastructures are optimized, many network-based applications can run much better. There are four steps to follow when setting up an MPLS infrastructure, and CBT Nuggets’ Keith Barker explains each step. First, assign every route in the route table a number. Next, use the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) to share those labels across the network. Then, build a label-based forwarding table. Lastly, forward pings and requests using the labels. Learn why these steps are important and how to make sure each router on a network is optimized for MPLS.

Start learning with CBT Nuggets:

[KeithBarker]

:)

The biggest benefits are the applications that use it, such as L3 VPNs, that couldn't do what they do, without the label switching going on behind the scenes.

[bhattbhaumik]

clean, concise and to the point. Perfect

[seadberberovic]

finally someone that explained which label (the left or the right one)  the router picks for a certain network. and the "show mpls forwarding-table ..." explained more than hours that i spent watching other videos...thanks..

[KeithBarker]

Music to my ears. Glad the video was useful to you.

Best wishes,

Keith

[KeithBarker]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad the video was helpful.

Best wished,

Keith Barker

[KeithBarker]

Thanks Danny-

I appreciate the feedback.

Best wishes,

Keith

[yfcvtiybr]

Thank you!

Thats guy is very fast. I'm not about the spech, I'm about the quantity of information.
Every few words gives a lot of information.

[L-]

There is no better video about MPLS - Thanks.

[KeithBarker]

Hi Peter-

That is a great question. MPLS, all on its own, probably wouldn't be enough content for a full series.

On the other hand, MPLS applications, (things that we can do because MPLS is present), such as AToM, Pseudowires, L3 VPNs, Traffic Engineering, etc could take entire volumes. In the IPv6 series at CBT Nuggets, we address some of these applications that can be used to tunnel IPv6 over an MPLS network.

Thanks,

Keith

[keithbarker]

Hi Louis-

You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video.

Best wishes,

Keith

[KeithBarker]

Thanks for the feedback!

Best wishes,

Keith

[KeithBarker]

Thanks for the question. In this video, I used SecureCRT as a terminal emulator to connect to and issue the commands on the routers.

Thanks again for the question-

Keith

[KeithBarker]

Thanks Aren. I appreciate the feedback.

Best wishes,

Keith Barker

[KeithBarker]

You are very welcome. Thanks for the feedback, and best wishes on your CCIE!

Sincerely,

Keith

[KeithBarker]

Hi SevenStar-

Thanks for the feedback. We have an IPv6 series at CBT Nuggets (just finished it), that contains a full Nuggets on MPLS, L3VPNs, AToM and Pseudowire.

Thanks for the feedback.

Keith

[badactadar]

What a coincidence! I was just trying to have a quick overview on mpls and try to understand it as i am working now working on my ccnp and was having this strong feeling that not knowing about mpls was becoming an itch i had to try to scratch. And i got it know!
Keith you're so amazing!

[DaveTheUseless]

Watched a vid on another channel about MPLS, and I couldn't make head nor tail of it. Saw this video in my recommendeds, and things are already making a lot more sense. Thank you!

[fightbackmatix]

You have great hand writing Keith :) Thanks for the MPLS micro nugget :D It was wonderful!
I always thought that MPLS could only be done by expensive devices. Now from you video, I know the even a cisco IOS router (in GNS3) should do fine!

[kimberly]

You finally broke open this topic for me Keith, thanks!

[cissiechensarabadu]

makes so much sense now! thx for sharing