8 December, 2020Enterprises are transforming their networks to leverage the capabilities of SDN (software-defined networks) and new technology advancements such as IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (artificial intelligence). The transformation has been used by some to create a false narrative that has fostered the perception that MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) is not required and will go away, but ­ the reality is quite different.SDN is an approach to networking that introduces new levels of scalability and flexibility into network management by separating the routing controls from data forwarding tasks. SDN, along with virtualization and automation, promise to significantly improve business processes with more flexible, dynamic, application-aware network resources with centralized controls.SDN and other networking techniques, are transforming how networks are architected and operate, but they do not actually replace the functionality that MPLS provides. It is true that SDN has helped provide opportunities to augment network architectures with lower-cost broadband and public Internet connections to facilitate hybrid networking. However, SDN does not actually replace the need for higher-quality MPLS connections for critical applications as some Over the Top (OTP) network providers might have you believe. Both technologies will coexist and, in fact, SDN will depend on MPLS for traffic management and security--the attributes that made MPLS networks reliable and desirable in the first place.Evolving Traffic PatternsRecent technology advances such as media streaming, social media and mobility have generated massive amounts of data that flow into networks from a myriad of devices. Now as IoT, AI and edge computing environments are starting to go live, data volumes are set to become even more massive.Currently, 2.5 exabytes of data are generated daily, and Cisco estimates data is growing at a 24 percent yearly clip through 2021. Combined, all of the recent and ongoing technology developments--cloud, streaming, IoT, mobility, etcetera--have changed how enterprises consume applications and, as a result, also changed bandwidth demands and (WAN) traffic patterns.As such, enterprises face serious challenges related to scalability, security and network performance. Network traffic is unpredictable and much of it flows from multiple sources dispersed throughout private and public cloud infrastructures as well as data centers.Scalability limitations and security concerns are more pronounced for enterprises that use multiple vendors to run their networks. Like the reliability of the network itself, security policies and By Vickie Lonker, Vice President of Network and Security Management, Verizon [NYZE:VZ]NOT SO FASTWILLSDN REPLACE MPLS?OPINION
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