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What Is MPLS in Networking?

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Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a type of packet forwarding technology. Using MPLS, an enterprise can virtually connect two of its locations — regardless of where they’re located. This makes MPLS a great option for distributed teams. Find out more about how MPLS works and its benefits.

How MPLS Works

MPLS is a technology that uses labels instead of UP addresses to make data forwarding decisions. Think of a packet as a piece of mail. As a packet travels from its origin to its destination, it will stop at routers along the way.

Each router needs to decide what to do with that packet, typically by inspecting the packet’s IP address. This can lead to slow speeds and poor performance. But with MPLS, the routers are just reading a short label and forwarding it accordingly. It’s like they’re looking at the address on the envelope rather than opening and reading the mail.

The MPLS header is divided into four parts:

A 20-bit label field
A three-bit Class of Service field
A one-bit “bottom of stack” indicator
An 8-bit time to live (TTL)

An MPLS network is a Layer 2.5 solution. Network communications are typically described using a seven-layer hierarchy:

Layer 1: Physical
Layer 2: Data Link
Layer 3: Network
Layer 4: Transport
Layer 5: Session
Layer 6: Presentation
Layer 7: Application

Because MPLS has the same speed as a Layer 2 solution but uses the scalability of a Layer 3 solution, it’s often referred to as “Layer 2.5.”

Where is MPLS Used?

MPLS is used to achieve inter-site connectivity across multiple physical locations. Some organizations have a data center at their headquarters or main office and need to give employees at satellite offices access to that data center. MPLS offers a reliable connection, and when needed, it can prioritize certain traffic like voice and video applications.

When implementing an MPLS, some enterprises choose to use a secure software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). SD-WAN architecture sets up a secure network that can use MPLS (or other transport services) to give end-users safe access to applications.

With SD-WAN traffic steering, critical applications always get the fastest path to ensure high performance.

Benefits to MPLS

Implementing MPLS requires an initial investment, but it has many advantages over traditional IP routing. The benefits of MPLS include:

Learn More About Using MPLS At Your Enterprise

If you’re looking for a reliable way to keep your business connected, VPLS is here to help. In addition to MPLS, we also offer:

Dark fiber
Wavelength division multiplexing

With scalable solutions and expert, 24/7 support, VPLS is the premier choice for networking solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Sources:
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/527/multiprotocol-label-switching-mpls
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/multi-protocol-label-switching-mpls/
https://archive.nanog.org/sites/default/files/tuesday_tutorial_steenbergen_mpls_46.pdf

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What Is a Managed Network Service Provider?

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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Today’s organizations have complex needs.

Companies must have reliable ways to protect sensitive customer and employee data, and they need to be able to easily collaborate with colleagues without worrying about network downtime.

Managed network services can help take complicated information technology (IT) work off your plate so you can get back to meeting your company’s goals. A managed network service provider is a third-party vendor that monitors and maintains a company’s IT infrastructure. Learn more about managed network services and their advantages below.

What Managed Network Service Providers Do

Managed network services vary in sophistication and scope across network administration, maintenance, and operation. A service level agreement (SLA) for managed services might include the following:

Providing and maintaining network hardware, such as servers and routers
Installing software on endpoint devices
Managing security infrastructure
Security information and event management (SIEM) tasks
Help desk support and technical assistance for your end users
Data center solutions
Cloud infrastructure management

These detailed agreements also outline how managed solutions are paid for. Managed network service providers may charge a monthly flat rate or a per-device fee. Other providers offer tiered pricing structures based on the level of support your company needs.

Benefits of Managed Network Services

When you partner with a managed network service provider, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your company’s data is protected.

Plus, your staff can work efficiently without time-consuming service interruptions or costly connectivity issues. Some of the many benefits of managed network services include:

Cutting-edge technology and protection: With managed services, you don’t have to worry about updating or replacing your IT infrastructure or staying abreast of the latest trends in cybersecurity — it’s all done for you. Your service provider will keep your equipment up to date and continuously monitor your network for any vulnerabilities.
Saving time and money: Outsourcing your network management to an expert third party frees up valuable staff hours. Your IT team will spend less time responding to support requests and more time focusing on other priorities. With less of the day spent on maintenance, troubleshooting, updating hardware and software, and learning new systems, you can significantly reduce overhead costs for your company. And because managed service can come at a fixed monthly fee, you’ll be able to plan for the future with more accurate budgets and fewer unpredicted capital expenses for costly equipment upgrades.
Reliable expertise: With managed third-party services, you don’t need to worry about losing institutional knowledge if a seasoned member of your IT team leaves the organization. You’ll benefit from the industry expertise of network engineers who leverage the latest technology to minimize network incidents, quickly resolve issues as they arise, and ensure that your data is protected from security breaches.
Scalability: As enterprises grow, it can be a challenge to upgrade IT infrastructure in response to onboarding new staff. Outsourcing your network services helps your company stay agile and eliminates the need to incur costs for new equipment and software. As a team expands, your managed network service provider can adjust the service agreement according to these evolving needs.

Learn More About Managed Network Services From VPLS

If your company is seeking experienced, enterprise-level managed network services, VPLS is standing by to help. Our managed network services include 24/7/365 monitoring by our in-house experts. A one-stop shop for IT solutions, VPLS offers the following advantages:

Real-time status monitoring
Tracking and reporting through our ticketing system
Managed network security services to protect you from malware, viruses, and other cyberthreats

VPLS provides tailored solutions for organizations across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, financial services, media and entertainment, telecom, and beyond. To learn more about our managed services and how we can help your team, contact us today.

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What Is Dark Fiber? How it Works Plus its Many Benefits

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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Fiber-optic cables provide internet connectivity by sending information through light pulses. Cables that have been installed underground but aren’t in use are called “dark fiber”—also known as black or unlit fiber. There are thousands of miles of unlit fiber-optic cables throughout the country that were installed by telecom providers but haven’t been utilized yet.

Organizations in private and public sectors can take advantage of this unused dark fiber to create a secure network system that’s isolated from public networks and provides consistent, reliable speed.

By purchasing or leasing dark fiber, you can create a stable internet environment that your company controls, ensuring you never have to worry about insufficient bandwidth or network capacity. Find out more about dark fiber vs. lit fiber and the advantages of working with dark fiber service providers.

Dark Fiber vs. Lit Fiber

When most people connect to the internet from home through their laptop or smartphone, they’re using lit fiber — linking to the existing fiber-optic infrastructure provided by a utility company. But when organizations want a secure and private option for network access, they can purchase or lease dark fiber-optic cables from a service provider.

The organization uses its own equipment to “light” the fiber, so they have complete control over their internet infrastructure.

Benefits of Using Dark Fiber

While dark fiber may seem confusing at first, it’s an elegant solution to many of the challenges that companies face. The advantages of using dark fiber include:

Privacy and Security

Companies can purchase or lease dark fiber, and they own the equipment connected to the fiber. This dedicated infrastructure gives the enterprise complete control over the network.

All the information they send over the network is private and can’t be monitored by outside entities. This is a big value-add for organizations that handle sensitive, private data, such as healthcare systems.

Working with dark fiber service providers is becoming a popular choice among school districts that want to ensure that student data remains protected while having access to a secure and powerful network.

Speed

In computer network systems, latency measures the amount of time it takes for data to travel from its origin point to its destination.

Dark fiber networks tend to have low latency, meaning data can be transmitted quickly across a large network. This is important for organizations with a high number of endpoints, such as laptops, desktops, tablets, and IoT (internet of things) devices.

Capacity and Flexibility

Because enterprises that use dark fiber aren’t utilizing public fiber-optic cables, they enjoy high capacity and strong signal strength. This allows them to respond to internal demand without worrying about external network issues.

Fiber-optic cables are extremely powerful — their bandwidth is only limited by the transceiver equipment at either end of the fiber. As companies need more bandwidth, they can simply upgrade their equipment to enjoy higher speeds, without needing to replace any fiber.

Cost-Effectiveness

While operating your own private fiber-optic network comes with start-up capital costs, the potential for long-term savings is significant.

As your organization grows, you can quickly surpass your bandwidth capacity if you’re on a lit-fiber network, and it can require lots of time and money to upgrade your existing systems. But once you’ve invested in dark fiber, it’s easy to add capacity. Plus, you don’t have to worry about service calls, hidden fees, or unpredictable costs from month to month.

Learn More About Network Solutions from VPLS

At VPLS, we offer dark fiber connectivity solutions supported by our carrier-neutral data centers throughout the United States and beyond. We work with more than 7,000 clients around the world to provide managed solutions for everything from cloud storage to colocation. We’ll tailor our services to meet your company’s unique needs, and our 24/7 support means we’re always just a call away. For more information, contact us today.

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Data Centers & The Responsibility of Sustainability

Blog Post / By Natasha Marron

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What about a giant, clunky building is earth-friendly or sustainable? That is a great question. Less than five years ago, articles in the media were warning that digital infrastructure, such as data centers, could consume 20% of global energy by 2025. Many would be surprised to hear that the data center industry only consumed 1% of global energy in 2020.

In fact, data centers are becoming more efficient, thanks to advances in technology and better management practices. In 2019, VPLS shifted towards greener energy solutions in our Northern California data centers with the installation of airside economization units in our Emeryville facility, and the installation of high-efficiency precision cooling systems in our San Jose data center. As a result of these upgrades, VPLS was able to achieve a PUE of 1.25 in Emeryville and 1.29 in San Jose (the industry average being 1.5 or greater), reducing the overall carbon footprint by over 1,800 metric tons that year. And we’re not alone—across the industry, data centers are finding new ways to save energy and minimize their impact on the environment.
[Read more about The Green Initiative Here]

Today’s data centers are built with energy-efficient components and use innovative cooling systems to reduce their energy consumption. At VPLS, we are committed to continuing to invest in energy-efficient solutions. Our data centers PHX1 (Phoenix, Arizona) and DAL1 (Plano, Texas) use 85% less water and energy than the industry average. VPLS’s focus is to shift away from water-based cooling solutions while improving our efficiencies to reduce our impact on the environment.

Data centers may not have started off keeping energy efficiency and sustainability top of mind. But that makes it that much more important for the data center engineers of today to assume the responsibility of keeping up with improvements, upgrading infrastructures, and ensuring that their facilities function in unison with the planet as well as public demand for fast and reliable data. Improvements like those of VPLS’s Northern California data centers can go a long way if all data centers work towards reaching the goal of sustainability.

In addition, VPLS’ data centers are located in areas with high renewable energy potential, so we are able to take advantage of clean energy sources. We also emphasize purchasing power from renewable resources. Our commitment to minimizing the carbon footprint while delivering fast, secure, and reliable service to our customers, proves that sacrificing quality for sustainability is not necessary.

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What’s Better than a VPN? 3 Alternatives Explained

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Since the start of the pandemic, many enterprises have embraced a decentralized model, realizing that employees can work from just about anywhere. However, remote work requires security solutions for sharing data, accessing files, and collaborating across networks. Learn about some of the pros and cons of VPNs and a few of the alternative solutions available.

What is a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure, private system that allows employees to access a central server through an internet connection. A VPN encrypts your data and can mask IP addresses, so the work you do and the sites you visit over the VPN are private.

Because a VPN doesn’t require a lot of infrastructure, it can be a cost-effective option for companies who need to collaborate remotely. A company may use offsite colocation services for its VPN infrastructure.

However, VPN performance can be inhibited by internet speed. With remote employees reliant on their home internet service provider (ISP), VPN functionality can vary from employee to employee. And because it’s difficult to segment a VPN, it’s vulnerable to cybercrime — once a hacker is in, they have access to everything on your network.

When VPNs first became popular, remote work was the exception to the rule, rather than the norm. VPNs are still useful, but as remote work models become increasingly ubiquitous, enterprises may want to consider alternative models for storing their data and maintaining online security.

What's Better Than a VPN?

There are many models for accommodating remote work efficiently without compromising online security. A few alternatives to the VPN include virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), The Onion Router (Tor), and proxy servers.

VDI

VDI allows employees to access their work desktop through a network connection. VDI may be hosted onsite at an office or via cloud storage. VDI offers a flexible solution for remote work, allowing employees to collaborate on projects from any connected device. The infrastructure is easily scalable, making it easy to add or remove connected devices as company size fluctuates. Cloud-hosted VDI also allows enterprises to grow their business without incurring significant capital costs.

Is VDI better than a VPN? The two are well worth comparing. VDI serves many businesses well and offers a host of benefits. However, this choice depends on the unique needs of the business and the quality of its endpoint protection.

Tor: The Onion Router

The Onion Router, commonly known as Tor, was first developed in the 1990s at the United States Naval Research Laboratory. The Tor Project is now a nonprofit organization that provides Tor as a free and open-source software for anonymously accessing the internet.

Tor uses thousands of volunteer computers that send and receive internet signals without retaining records, so traffic cannot be traced back to a particular person or computer. Thus, it can offer even better privacy safeguards than a VPN. Unlike a VPN, where a central authority controls and manages the network access, Tor is decentralized — there is no single owner or manager.

Is Tor better than a VPN?

It depends on how you use the web. If your enterprise needs to access websites anonymously or establish untraceable communication (such as when a journalist needs to safely contact a source), Tor can be a useful option.

A Proxy Server

A third alternative to a VPN is a proxy server. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between an end user’s computer and the internet, so any time you visit a website or share a file, you connect through the proxy rather than directly to the host server. This allows you to hide your IP address, as the website you’re visiting only sees the IP address of the proxy server. However, unlike a VPN, a proxy server will not encrypt your data.

Is proxy better than a VPN? Without the added security of data encryption, it may not be the best choice. However, there are free proxy servers available, so if you’re a small company that’s just starting out, a proxy may be a useful interim solution.

Learn More from VPLS

All of these options have different advantages, so it really depends on what your enterprise needs and how you utilize the internet. If you’re thinking about moving away from a traditional remote access VPN but aren’t sure where to start, the team at VPLS is here to help.

To learn more about our managed services for network security, cloud infrastructure, and other solutions, contact us today.

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VDI vs. VPN: What’s Best for Remote Employees?

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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The widespread shift to remote operations has left IT departments looking for tools that support employees at home. The two most common solutions for remote work situations include virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and virtual private networks (VPNs), but many companies struggle to decide which is better for their workforce. To help your business determine the best option for remote work, VPLS offers a detailed overview of each of these solutions.

What is a VPN?

A VPN forms a secure data tunnel that flows from a remote location to the organization’s private network, enabling workers to access corporate data safely over a public internet connection. The tunnel conceals IP addresses and encrypts your activity, protecting sensitive business information against cybersecurity threats.

Managers can set up a VPN to ensure users only have access to the resources they need. Then, employees can house relevant data on their devices if they must work offline at any point.

What is VDI?

With VDI, employees access desktops in the cloud or on servers through a network connection. These desktops run on virtual machines stored in one server at the office or a data center. Virtual desktop interfaces allow users to connect to interact with business data, applications, and systems from any remote device and give them ample resources and workstations to perform tasks effectively.

What are the Benefits of VPNs for Remote Work?

Companies that wish to cut costs by going remote will find VPNs advantageous. Since all the work happens on laptops, VPNs do not require businesses to purchase costly servers. However, it can be expensive if you do not already have work laptops for each employee.

VPN solutions are compatible with any operating system on any device and can be set up in a matter of minutes by the remote employee. Cybersecurity is also more effective with a VPN because it encrypts data and requires users to pass authentication measures before granting access to critical information.

What are the Benefits of VDI for Remote Work?

Like VPNs, VDI solutions are exceptionally versatile, making them valuable for businesses that cannot store much hardware on-premise. Since the virtual desktop interface operates in the cloud, workers can use any device available to conduct tasks, from the most updated tablet to a five-year-old computer.

Besides saving money on equipment, businesses that implement VDI reduce costs on training. Virtualized desktops are intuitive, enabling users to only log in before accessing applications and systems. VDI also enhances remote employee cybersecurity by housing all data in the servers or cloud, creating less exposure to risk.

What are the Drawbacks of a VPN for Remote Work?

One of the most significant disadvantages of VPNs is that they are dependent on the employee’s internet speed and distance from the service provider. These factors can impede VPN performance, making it difficult to complete everyday work tasks.

VPNs can also overwhelm IT teams because all users connect to the network simultaneously during business hours. For instance, they must reconfigure applications for new software developments and new employees joining the network. This process can make the VPN tedious for IT departments.

Although a VPN enhances security in some respects, it can create new risks because all the applications live on the employee’s laptop. If their device goes missing or gets stolen, the data is lost. Additionally, businesses that permit employees to use personal computers on the VPN may expose data to cyberattacks.

What are the Drawbacks of VDI for Remote Work?

A slow internet connection can hamper VDI performance in a remote location, particularly for those who conduct frequent video meetings or utilize multiple monitors each day. If an internet outage occurs, users may be unable to utilize their work computers at all. VDI users may also encounter security issues if they neglect to equip employee devices with the proper endpoint protection

VDI vs. VPN: Which Is the Best Choice?

When it comes to these solutions, there is no broad, sweeping answer regarding the best option for remote work for every company. Instead, businesses must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each to determine the most appropriate choice. Regardless of which service you select, ensure you partner with a provider that offers a successful implementation. If you are leaning towards VDI, consider the cutting-edge IT solutions from VPLS.

We offer on-premise and cloud-hosted VDI for companies that wish to switch between operating environments with minimal cost and effort. Cloud-hosted VDI, or Desktop-as-a-Service (Daas), is ideal for remote workforces with employees dispersed across multiple locations.

Unlike many other cloud-hosted VDI providers, we deploy DaaS in private cloud environments with the same technology for on-premise solutions. Additionally, our remote VDI service allows businesses to increase productivity without incurring excessive capital and operational costs.

Connect with VPLS for your VDI Needs

As a trusted global provider for cloud-to-edge IT services, VPLS has the technical experience and reach to help companies across many industries fulfill their cloud and network needs.

Contact us today to learn more about virtual desktop interfaces and our other offerings.

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6 Reasons Why VDI is Built for Remote Work

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have implemented remote work situations to help keep their employees healthy and safe. As the trend continues, companies are noticing some of the downsides of this model, such as increased cybersecurity risks and operating costs.

One technology, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), helps minimize these concerns and enhance the remote experience. Discover six top reasons to utilize VDI for remote work.

What is VDI (virtual desktop interface)?

VDI, also known as virtual desktop interface, occurs when organizations host virtual desktops in servers or the cloud. This service enables employees with a virtual device and network connection to access desktop applications and data from any location. Unlike other types of desktop virtualization, VDI does not feature local or hosted shared virtualization. Instead, it relies exclusively on a host-based virtual machine design.

Benefits of Using VDI for Remote Employees

Under remote working conditions, it can be challenging for companies to scale up operations and grow. However, VDI can help accelerate these efforts by reducing some of the setbacks of remote work. Some of the most significant advantages of VDI include:

1. Convenience

VDI permits users to connect to their work desktop from any compatible electronic device, such as a home computer or smartphone. This system enables employees to conduct tasks from any location, eliminating time-consuming commutes to and from the office.

Installing and updating VDI is convenient because operating system implementation happens in a small amount of data centers instead of multiple office locations. Businesses also save time training staff to use VDI since the configuration and interface on hosted virtual desktops are similar to the physical PC.

2. Cost

Some businesses cannot afford to purchase laptops for remote employees, leaving them to use personal devices to perform work-related tasks. However, home computers can expose corporate data to heightened risk as they rarely have the same security features as work devices.

VDI solves this dilemma because it houses virtual desktops on remote servers, giving employees access to data and systems without needing a work computer. Hosted virtual desktops also decrease maintenance and tech support expenses by consolidating data, applications, and operating systems.

Even if an organization must buy devices so that everyone can function remotely, it can save money in the long run with VDI by using Thin or Zero Clients. These devices prevent businesses from updating individual workstations and typically last longer than conventional work environments.

3. Performance

Since data center infrastructure is more effective than laptop infrastructure, VDI drives better productivity. The service permits employees to run complex applications without a powerful computer and streamlines resource allocation.

VDI reduces time spent managing devices, enabling businesses to market products and services quickly. Additionally, hosted virtual desktops can enhance recovery efforts following disaster situations as they provide a backup for accessing work applications and data.

4. Scalability

Companies that allow employees to use personal computers for work activities often struggle to scale because home devices do not have uniform configurations. With VDI, administrators can scale up or down efficiently and decide how to distribute desktop resources. The added flexibility of VDI can also help enterprises expand refresh cycles, further encouraging business growth.

5. Security

Although employees connect to virtual desktops from multiple devices, administrators manage VDI from a single location. This design gives managers more supervision over traffic and security patches and helps them monitor compliance with company policy. Additionally, VDI allows employers to restrict information to ensure workers use only the applications they need.

6. User Experience

The performance benefits of VDI improve the user experience for many enterprises, particularly those that run legacy applications and cannot transition to the public cloud without complications. VDI also boosts the user experience for organizations that use servers to store client calls. It brings the client closer to the database and delivers faster response times on inquiries.

How VPLS Helps

If you wish to implement VDI for remote employees at your business, consider utilizing the innovative solutions from VPLS. We offer two hosted virtual desktop solutions to help organizations shift between operating environments affordably — on-premise and cloud-hosted.

Cloud-hosted VDI, or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), is ideal for companies that operate across multiple sites. Our cloud-hosted VDI provides users with better performance and scalability without driving up their capital or operational expenditures. Unlike many other service providers, we deploy DaaS in a private cloud environment with the same technology used for on-premise solutions. This system provides customers with heightened security and administrative capabilities.

Find VDI Services for Your Remote Employees

Extensive colocation and hosting facilities, superior network services, and a global team of certified technology specialists make VPLS one of the most trusted IT providers in the world. We serve over 7,000 clients spanning numerous industries worldwide, from healthcare and finance to media and the public sector.

Contact us today to learn more about using VDI for remote work and our other services.

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What is Network Optimization?

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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Computer network optimization refers to a set of practices that information technology (IT) professionals use to improve an enterprise’s performance. We’ll cover some of the factors that can inhibit network performance, as well as the benefits of network optimization.

What is Network Optimization? How it Helps

Network optimization is a process that can improve network performance and productivity for businesses of all sizes.

This includes scanning for network bottlenecks, identifying network vulnerabilities, and prioritizing network activity to ensure the most important data gets through first. Network optimization also involves optimizing network hardware such as routers, switches, and firewalls to reduce latency or packet loss.

Network optimization leads to overall network performance improvement, which is vital at any scale.

The network vendor provides various types of network services, such as scanning for network bottlenecks, identifying network vulnerabilities and bottleneck problems, prioritizing important data packets so they get through first, optimizing hardware devices (routers/switches/firewalls) to reduce latency or packet loss, network consulting, and network optimization services.

Issues That Can Affect Network Functionality

Computer networks are elaborate structures and can require a high level of sophistication if you have tools to support remote work, such as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or cloud computing. And many factors can affect a network’s performance, such as:

The number of devices on your network, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones
The number of end users, or people, connecting to the network through a device
Hardware issues, such as damaged or defective network cables
Insufficient bandwidth
Poor network configuration or design
High amounts of network traffic

Measuring Network Performance

Network performance is assessed by measuring a few key indicators of speed and effectiveness. These include the following:

Bandwidth: This is a measure of capability. The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted is a network’s bandwidth.

Jitter: Data is sent across a network in groups called “packets.” Jitter is when packets flow unevenly, meaning the amount of time it takes for data to travel is inconsistent.

Round-trip time (RTT): RTT measures the amount of time it takes for a piece of data to travel from its source to its destination, and back again.

Latency: Essentially one half of RTT, latency is the time required for data to travel across a network from its source to a destination.

Packet errors or loss: Packet errors occur when network packets are incorrectly formatted. If a packet does not reach its destination, it is referred to as packet loss.

A qualified service provider can implement network optimization procedures at your enterprise including maintenance, network protocols, and hardware and software upgrades. These could include:

Data caching
Tuning router buffers
Prioritizing latency-sensitive applications through Quality of Service (QoS)
Using a network cable tester
Switching to a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN)

How Network Optimization Helps Businesses

Network optimization helps businesses keep their data safe, flowing smoothly, and working efficiently. Network optimization services can eliminate many costly factors that lead to poor performance across the board.

All businesses rely on networks to run their systems, and this dependency will only increase over time. If network connectivity becomes too slow, network security breaches increase. If network performance is poor, productivity decreases, and business response times are delayed.

These issues, if untreated, can cause network ripple effects that could potentially cost millions to fix. The strategy behind employing a high-quality network optimization service provider is identifying potential problems before they escalate and solving them.

Businesses frequently operate with razor-thin margins, but all too often, network vulnerabilities are ignored. To ensure that these vulnerabilities are identified, it’s crucial to get the right team on board sooner rather than later.

Better UX: If you have a public-facing network, optimization will help keep your customers satisfied by supporting a positive user experience. Slow loading times or poor functionality will frustrate users, while fast speeds will help to keep them on your site and build confidence in your brand — and potentially increase your profits.

Better productivity: Similarly, a fast and reliable network will keep your employees happy. High-quality video streams and fast file downloads and transfers make it easier for employees to do their jobs efficiently. It also minimizes time spent on troubleshooting and reconnecting. Plus, your IT team will spend less time and money responding to support requests, allowing them to focus on other priorities.

Better return on investment (ROI): Network infrastructure is a significant capital expense, and replacing it can be costly. Network optimization can improve the performance of your existing infrastructure, meaning you see a higher ROI.

Better security and analytics: With a more reliable network, it’s easier to detect unusual activity that could pose a security threat. Your network performance monitoring tools can function with a higher degree of accuracy, allowing you to use data insights to identify potential cybersecurity attacks. Analytics also help you understand your network usage, helping you to accurately forecast your needs as your business grows.

Better team structures: With an optimized network, it’s easier for end-users to complete tasks and connect with colleagues, no matter where they are. A well-functioning network allows for a flexible, more effective workflow as distributed, remote teams become increasingly common.

How to Identify Network Vulnerabilities

A good network optimization service provider can identify vulnerabilities quickly before they escalate to bigger problems. There are a variety of network vulnerability tests that can be performed to identify network problems. Your service provider will perform these tests, analyze the results, and optimize your network based on what the results tell them.

One simple test is the ping packet, which sends out packets with a unique ID and times how long it takes for them to return.

If they take too long or never come back, there might be an issue with your network segment.

Another type of network security assessment called deep packet inspection will look at all data going through the network looking for viruses and other types of malware by inspecting each individual packet as it passes through the system.

Network Optimization Procedures & Protocols

Many network optimization procedures revolve around optimizing bandwidth utilization across networks in order to ensure maximum performance without sacrificing speed or quality-of-service guarantees (QoS).

QoS refers to network features and functions designed to guarantee network performance levels for specific types of network traffic, such as voice.

Network optimization is often something that network engineers will work on all the time at an ISP or enterprise network engineering company. Every day, network engineers are looking for ways to optimize their current networks because every network has a limited amount of capacity and bandwidth that they can handle before one segment starts taking too much from another segment which causes it to slow down dramatically.

Each of these network optimization steps requires a dedicated service team who knows how to implement network optimization procedures and handles network equipment installation, maintenance, upgrades, and security updates.

Network optimizations are worthwhile for any business that needs uninterrupted network performance with very high bandwidth at low cost because it is a continuous process of identifying potential network inefficiencies so they can be addressed before the network has problems.

Traditional networks are designed on assumptions about workloads but modern networks need to be able to dynamically adjust their behavior based on changing load conditions. This requires ongoing communication between the network managers and administrators as well as continual monitoring of all infrastructure components including routers, switches, servers, and storage devices.

Since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when implementing network optimization techniques or protocols across different types of organizations, service providers are crucial here.

With world-class network optimization services from VPLS, businesses can ensure that the processes run smoothly.

VPLS has over 20 years of experience at all levels of network optimization, for small, medium, and enterprise businesses. We provide a wide range of services, customized to meet the needs of our clients no matter what the scope is.

From colocation to cloud services to managed network services and beyond, VPLS is your one-stop-shop for network optimization. Call us today and find out how we can help you and your business achieve success!

To learn more about our colocation and managed network services, or to schedule a discovery call, call us at (888) 365-2656 or contact us here!

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4 Most Common Indicators Your Network is Compromised

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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When your enterprise’s network is compromised or hacked, it can be tricky to recognize the signs without the help of a managed cyber security service expert. Fortunately, there are a few clues you can look out for.

Although email continues to be a leading risk when it comes to cybersecurity, hackers today are employing different strategies to access networks. Here are 5 signs that your business network has been compromised and you need to call in a managed cyber security service expert right away.

1. Disabled or Uninstalled Firewall or Security Programs

This is one of the easiest-to-spot indications of a compromised business network. Cybercriminals know that most users have some kind of firewall in place, which is why they have created elaborate ways to hack into your network and disable/uninstall your security programs. If you find that you are unable to restart your firewall or anti-malware program – and you definitely did not turn it off – your network is most likely under attack.

2. Too Many Error Messages While Performing Routine Tasks

Hacking attempts tend to negatively impact the operating systems, especially if the software is not updated regularly. Make sure your managed cyber security service company regularly applies crucial security patches and your network computers are continuously monitored.

3. Emails Sent Without Your Knowledge (Spam Accusations)

Regardless of how sophisticated your business network is, people will always be the biggest security risk to it. Since email data travels across public servers, hackers have a lot of opportunities to intercept it at several points. In many cases, malware and viruses can spread over the internet by email, even without the sender’s knowledge. This can result in your company emails getting blacklisted on popular email platforms.

4. Unusual Login/Session Activity

If you’ve noticed login attempts from unrecognized devices or geographical areas, that could be an indication that your network is compromised. This is especially true for privileged user accounts. When you see abnormal or suspicious activity during those user sessions- it should raise a red flag.

Secure Your Network With Our Managed Cyber Security Service Solutions

Now that you know some of the most common signs of a compromised device or network, make sure you are equipped to handle them. Working with our managed cyber security service team at VPLS will help you minimize – if not negate – the impact of any cyber attacks on your business.

Reach us online to learn more about VPLS network optimization services and solutions regarding your specific business needs.

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4 Benefits of a Managed Network Service

Blog Post / By VPLS Marketing Team

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Whether you are a business manager or a seasoned IT professional, a managed network service can make your job easier and allow you to focus on achieving your business goals. Some of the biggest benefits of a managed network include the expertise, industry knowledge, and dedication of an entire IT department that is focused on the delivery of your core business functions.

A managed network service vendor like VPLS can help you handle the routine tasks that are more time-consuming like:

Working with a network service provider can ultimately increase your company competitiveness and efficiency by providing you multiple advantages:

1. Proactivity and Scalability

When you work with a managed network service firm, it frees up your organization’s resources to focus on your mission-critical goals. Your network solutions provider will achieve this by proactively combining increased flexibility and speed with high-performance network availability to effortlessly drive the progress of your growing enterprise.

Vendors that provide managed network services have the infrastructure required to support faster tech upgrades and implementations. Preventative maintenance checks and enhancements as well as ongoing proactive measures are also handled in this setup.

2. Control Operating Costs of Entire IT Network

The main reason why companies turn to managed network service is that it drastically reduces costs associated with infrastructure, software, hardware, service, maintenance, and operations. All these costs also become more predictable and better controlled since they become a form of fixed expense. In addition, upgrade costs go down too as they are handled by the managed network vendor.

This entire arrangement will minimize the cost of your ongoing maintenance labor as well. Costs associated with technology upgrades, employee turnover, and initial and ongoing training will either be completely eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

3. Superior Network Security

Managed network services give you enhanced security for your entire data and voice network. Most vendors include products that protect the business from breaches, viruses, malware, spam, and even inappropriate content. As a result, all your sensitive data, critical applications, and transactions will be kept safe and secure. For example, VPLS works to prevent intrusions and bottlenecks and eradicate single points of failure via fully-managed network security.

4. Better Quality of Network Service

Other benefits your company can experience by choosing the right managed network service include: better network management, enhanced call routing, and better voice quality thanks to the built-in quality of service. You’ll get access to high-quality, high-speed Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) backbone across a wide range of internet connections.

Choose VPLS Managed Network Services for Maximized Performance

Our managed solutions provide multiple ways to save cost and time, preventing network hiccups and reducing support time. If you’re looking for a managed network service provider that can help you perform your day-to-day tasks with more efficiency so as to increase overall productivity, reach out to us by sending us a message online.

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