IPsec VPN vs MPLS VPN, what are their advantages - InterDataLink (2024)

FAQs

IPsec VPN vs MPLS VPN, what are their advantages - InterDataLink? ›

Security. In the case of an IPsec VPN, the interconnection between the sites is done through a firewall, each of them must be specifically configured. For MPLS VPN, the internet being hosted at the heart of the network, so is the firewall. Thus, security is managed centrally for all the sites in one place.

Security levels

Security is a critical issue when comparing VPN vs MPLS. MPLS networks reduce the scope for traffic interception. Hackers cannot read the IP address of data packets.

MPLS is secure even though the data sent over an MPLS network is not encrypted. IPsec VPN data is encrypted as it transverses through the internet tunnel.

IPsec VPN works on a different network layer than SSL VPN. IPsec VPN operates on the network layer (L3) while SSL VPN operates on the application layer. IPsec VPN uses the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol for key management and authentication.

Disadvantages of IPSec

IPSec encrypts all traffic and applies strict authentication processes. Both operations consume network bandwidth and raise data usage. This makes IPSec a less attractive option for networks handling large numbers of small data packets. In those situations, SSL-based VPNs may be superior.

Conclusion: VPN and MPLS are two different technologies used to create private and secure connections between devices or networks. VPNs use encryption and tunneling to create a secure connection over the internet, while MPLS creates a private network over a shared infrastructure.

1 Cost and complexity. One of the main disadvantages of MPLS VPNs is that they are expensive and complex to set up and maintain. You need to purchase or lease dedicated lines from a service provider, which can be costly depending on the distance and bandwidth.

IPSec handles encryption by using a gateway-to-gateway or CE-to-CE router approach to create an overlay encrypted network (IPSec VPN) on top of the (MPLS VPN) network in a mesh or hub-spoke topology.

In terms of speed, WireGuard and PPTP are the fastest, but OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP offer decent speeds as well. WireGuard is fast because it's lightweight. The protocol can be implemented in very few lines of code, so there's much less going on in the background.

Why is IPsec better? ›

IPsec helps keep private data secure when it is transmitted over a public network. More specifically, IPsec is a group of protocols that are used together to set up secure connections between devices at layer 3 of the OSI model (the network layer).

IPsec is a group of protocols for securing connections between devices. IPsec helps keep data sent over public networks secure. It is often used to set up VPNs, and it works by encrypting IP packets, along with authenticating the source where the packets come from.

Why is IPSec important? The Internet Engineering Task Force developed IPSec in the 1990s to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity when accessing public networks. For example, users connect to the internet with an IPSec virtual private network (VPN) to access company files remotely.

The Dated Legacy: IPsec

IPsec, once a stalwart in secure communications, is now facing its reckoning. As a complex and aging technology, its shortcomings have become increasingly apparent.

Packets can exceed router limits

Because of the overhead associated with adding new protocol headers and packet encapsulation, IPsec packets can often become larger than the maximum transmission unit (MTU) — the top limit for the size of a packet supported by the local network.

MPLS vs.

The Internet is the lower-cost option but has drawbacks, while MPLS offers more reliable connectivity at a premium. Both MPLS and Internet networks support full-mesh inter-site communication and various Layer 1 mediums (e.g., T1, DSL, Ethernet).

Why is MPLS faster than IP routing? - Quora. A routing lookup uses a longest match, which can require multiple lookups in an m-trie structure. This can be 3–4 lookups depending on the structure of the trie. An MPLS lookup is for a single label value.

MPLS uses labels instead of network addresses to route traffic optimally via shorter pathways. MPLS is protocol-agnostic and can speed up and shape traffic flows across WANs and service provider networks. By optimizing traffic, MPLS reduces downtime and improves speed and quality of service (QoS).