Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingNetwork AccessHard
A company with a main office and several remote branches uses a Wide Area Network (WAN) to connect these locations. The IT team is investigating ways to reduce the cost of dedicated leased lines while maintaining sufficient bandwidth and reliability for critical applications like ERP and file sharing. Which WAN technology provides a cost-effective alternative by using shared public infrastructure but with mechanisms to ensure quality of service (QoS) and privacy?
- AMPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
- BFrame Relay
- CDial-up Internet
- DPSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
MPLS is a modern packet-switched WAN technology that uses labels to forward packets efficiently across a shared public infrastructure. It allows for the creation of VPNs and offers robust Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, making it a cost-effective alternative to dedicated leased lines for connecting multiple branch offices while ensuring performance and privacy for critical business applications.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Frame Relay is an older packet-switched technology that has largely been replaced by MPLS due to MPLS's superior scalability, performance, and QoS capabilities.
- C. Dial-up Internet is a very low-speed, unreliable connection method unsuitable for modern business WAN requirements.
- D. PSTN is the traditional telephone network, primarily used for voice calls and very low-speed data (e.g., dial-up modems), not suitable for high-speed WAN connectivity.
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
MPLS is a data-carrying mechanism that speeds up network packet forwarding and enables advanced features like VPNs and QoS over shared WAN infrastructure.
- Uses labels for efficient packet forwarding.
- Supports VPNs (MPLS VPNs) for secure, private connections.
- Offers robust Quality of Service (QoS) for critical traffic.
- Cost-effective alternative to dedicated leased lines for multi-site connectivity.
Memory trick: MPLS: Money Saved, Performance Stays, Links Secured