ISC2 CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)Communication and Network SecurityHard
A financial institution is deploying a new trading platform that requires extremely low latency and high-speed data transfer between its various data centers. The network design must also support traffic engineering to prioritize critical trading data over less time-sensitive traffic. Which network technology is best suited to meet these requirements for efficient and prioritized data delivery?
- AVirtual Private Network (VPN)
- BSoftware-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)
- CMultiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
- DFiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
MPLS is a high-performance, packet-forwarding technology that can significantly reduce latency and enable sophisticated traffic engineering, quality of service (QoS), and explicit path routing, making it ideal for financial institutions requiring strict performance guarantees and traffic prioritization.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. VPNs focus on secure tunneling, which can add latency, and are not primarily designed for advanced traffic engineering or guaranteed low latency.
- B. SD-WAN optimizes WAN performance and provides flexibility, but MPLS offers more granular control over traffic engineering and lower latency for truly mission-critical, real-time applications.
- D. FCoE is used for converging storage and Ethernet networks within a data center, not for WAN connectivity and traffic engineering between data centers.
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
A high-performance packet-forwarding technology that uses short path labels instead of long network addresses to direct data, enabling faster forwarding and advanced traffic engineering capabilities.
- Operates between Layer 2 and Layer 3 (Layer 2.5).
- Enables explicit routing and Quality of Service (QoS).
- Used for high-speed, low-latency applications and VPNs.
Memory trick: MPLS labels for speed, VPNs tunnel for security.