What is the difference between MPLS and SONET and ATM networks?

Synchronous Optical Fiber Network (SONET) is an optical fiber transmission standard that focuses on the physical layer in the OSI model structure. Like SDH in the world, SONET was initially designed for the transmission of voice traffic over optical fiber networks. Like the first layer physical layer protocol, SONET is also used to ensure communication between various optical fiber network links. Over time, SONET evolved, including data services-such as frame relay, T1, and OC-3-in terms of fiber network connectivity. Because SONET was originally designed for speech instead of various data packets, it is not very effective to use it for data transmission, and many data packets containing irrelevant data are required for normal transmission. ATM is a method to solve SONET inefficiency. Through the use of network adapters, the ATM network divides data into smaller cells for transmission. The ATM running on SONET makes it possible for the family and enterprise ISDN integrated business Digital Network) service.

In contrast, both ATM and MPLS are data transmission protocols, meaning they all belong to the physical data layer in the OSI model and can be used for point-to-point data transmission. The main difference between ATM and MPLS is that ATM is designed for the circuit switching environment, while MPLS is in packet switching, such as Ethernet or IP network. The difference is obvious from their network topology construction method. ATM is mainly used for point-to-point connections and requires access to an ATM adapter at the end of each physical or virtual line. On the other hand, MPLS's many-to-many topology works in a similar way as an Ethernet switch, allowing each network endpoint to be connected to an MPLS network, and complying with the virtual network of special users. To construct such a network, an ATM needs to Install Multiple ATM network connectors locally in each organization. In itself, multi-protocol MPLS provides the label exchange technology to transmit other protocols, including the ATM Protocol through the MPLS network. For example, two ATM endpoints can be connected through one MPLS network, it enables fast and transparent data transmission between each other.

By Michael Brandenburg