MPLS: The Catalyst of Convergence?

MPLS has become the launching pad for converging an enterprise’s applications on a single IP Network. Though many networking professionals understand the inherent benefits of MPLS – reduced management costs, increase security, enhanced network efficiency, higher bandwidth – there is still some reluctance to abandon existing investments to pursue the MPLS “route” toward convergence.

Christophe D. Masiero, senior product manager IP VPN for Equant, will outline why deploying an MPLS network represents the first step toward building a flexible and scalable platform, and how MPLS, Class of Services and the Seamless Private Network are coming together to create convergence today.

Mr. Masiero will address several components of MPLS and convergence:

  • Class of Service (CoS): With CoS, companies are able to prioritize the applications that traverse their network. When voice, video and data are on a single unified network, the need to prioritize to ensure optimum bandwidth management is vital for reaching true convergence.
  • Migration: Many companies don’t understand that the path to convergence doesn’t have to be taken in leaps and bounds. With so many drivers of convergence migration, including complexity, applications, low costs and market trends, it’s no wonder network managers can’t sleep at night. So which elements are most important for network managers to consider? Mr. Masiero will offer some insight on what makes for an easy path to migration…and what doesn’t.
  • Convergence in the WAN: Companies using VoIP in the WAN can have a fixed price for on-net calls that are business quality and reach a growing number of countries around the world. Understanding the true cost-savings associated with VoIP is one step toward becoming comfortable with a converged network.
  • Convergence in the LAN: Within the LAN, every employee who has a desk experiences the benefits of convergence, thanks to IP phones and PCs connected to the same IP network.
  • Voice and Data Convergence: Applications from voice to video are all converging on to one IP network. A challenge for companies is ensuring the efficiency and smooth transition from two networks to a single network. Mr. Masiero will provide insight on managing true convergence of voice and data, and bring to light some real-life experiences of enterprises that have made the change and reduced their TCO in the process.
  • So why MPLS? Why Now?: MPLS provides the best foundation for enabling new revenue-generating applications and services.

    When companies understand the efficiencies of voice, video, data, Internet and mobile on a single, unified network, they will also recognize the power of MPLS to deliver this convergence.

    With several years experience providing strategic recommendations to Equant senior management for introductions of leading IP technologies, such as MPLS, Class of Services and IPSec, Mr. Masiero can eloquently address MPLS from a current, and down-the-road perspective. He recently shared his expertise during a presentation at MPLScon in New York City. Audiences will walk away from Mr. Masiero’s presentation with a much greater understanding of the drivers behind MPLS technology – from migration to full adoption – and the role the technology plays in a converged network.

    Speaker Biography:
    Christophe D. Masiero
    Sr. Product Manager IP VPN

    Christophe Masiero is a Senior Product Manager for IP VPN at Equant. In this role, he currently manages the Equant IP VPN product (MPLS-based IP VPN) to meet large multinational corporations connectivity needs around the world. Prior to assuming this position, Masiero was a Sr. Research Consultant in Equant’s Strategy Technology Planning group. In this role, Masiero provided strategic recommendations to Equant senior management for introduction of leading IP technologies, such as MPLS, Class of Services and IPSec.

    Prior to joining Equant in 1999, Masiero held a series of sales support positions for Alcatel in both the US and France. In this capacity, he participated in large sales efforts, delivering FR, ATM and IP solutions to carriers and ISPs in both North and South America. He was also originally responsible for network design and planning of large turnkey voice network solutions for international carriers.

    Masiero was a French Air Force Reserve Officer and has a French Master’s degree in Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering.