[f-nsp] foundry-nsp Digest, Vol 44, Issue 8

[Eric Helm]

Richard A Steenbergen wrote:
> 
> That said, if you really don't understand MPLS and understand WHY you need 
> MPLS, I would urge you not to deploy it. It doesn't do magic, it is a tool 
> for managing complex networks and thus it is complex itself. The standard 
> test for the "should I be using this" question applies here, if you even 
> have to ask the answer is probably no. :)
> 

Like I said, we haven't done anything with it yet, but our reasons for
considering using MPLS is because the company purchased 10 communities
from Embarq, and we are rolling out an 'active' FTTH product with an all
IP network for voice video and data. We really need sub-second failover
for the voice and video and MPLS seems to be a very attractive
technology for this purpose. VPLS would be nice too for customer VPNs.
We have considered looking at the L2 mechanisms, including Foundry's
Metro Ring protocol, but that leaves us 'stuck' with their hardware.
That said, if MPLS is a good fit for our network, the additional
features or lack there of, will surely come into play soon after
deployment. So, considering the limited budget has already dictated that
we cannot go with any other vendors, hopefully Foundry's MPLS
implementation is adequate for us should we choose to deploy it.

/Eric