What if you could unlock the full potential of MPLS with just a handful of expertly chosen books? MPLS remains a cornerstone technology in modern networking, powering everything from enterprise VPNs to scalable service provider backbones. Yet mastering its intricacies feels like navigating a labyrinth without a map. Today, MPLS’s role in blending traditional routing with emerging SDN paradigms makes understanding it more crucial than ever.
Experts like Luc De Ghein, a seasoned Cisco escalation engineer with dual CCIE certifications, and Antonio 'Ato' Sánchez-Monge, a multivendor MPLS and SDN specialist from Juniper Networks, have shaped the way professionals grasp MPLS’s complexities. Their deep industry experience and hands-on knowledge ensure the books they influence carry practical, actionable insights rather than mere theory.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks and detailed techniques, if you seek guidance tailored to your background, specific MPLS interests, or unique career goals, consider creating a personalized MPLS book. This approach helps you build on foundational knowledge with targeted, relevant content that accelerates your learning curve.
Luc De Ghein, CCIE No. 1897, brings over a decade of hands-on experience at Cisco Systems as an escalation engineer specializing in routing and MPLS technologies. His extensive background supporting engineers worldwide and speaking at major networking conferences drives the deep insights offered in this book. Luc’s dual CCIE certifications in Routing and Switching and Service Provider domains uniquely qualify him to guide you through MPLS fundamentals, making this volume a trusted resource for mastering this critical networking technology.
Luc De Ghein, CCIE No. 1897, is an escalation engineer for Cisco Systems in EMEA. Luc has been in the networking industry for 13 years and has been with Cisco for more than 11 years. He provides escalation support to Cisco engineers worldwide and teaches others about IP routing protocols and MPLS technologies. Luc has been a speaker at several Networkers conferences. During the past seven years, Luc has specialized in the area of MPLS technologies. Before moving to his current position, Luc was a Technical Assistance Center (TAC) customer support engineer for two and a half years, specializing in routing. He has been an escalation engineer for routing and MPLS technologies for more than eight years. Since 1996, Luc has been a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). He is certified as both a Routing and Switching CCIE and as a Service Provider CCIE.
When Luc De Ghein first discovered the complexities and potential of MPLS, he set out to clarify its many layers for networking professionals. This book walks you through the building blocks of MPLS, including architecture, forwarding, LDP, and quality of service, while connecting theory to practical IOS configuration examples. You’ll also explore various MPLS applications such as VPNs, traffic engineering, and VPLS, gaining a solid grasp on design choices and troubleshooting techniques. Whether you’re a service provider or enterprise engineer looking to consolidate networks or enable new applications, this text offers a grounded understanding of MPLS fundamentals without unnecessary fluff.
Antonio 'Ato' Sánchez-Monge brings 16 years of hands-on experience in IP/MPLS networking, including over a decade at Juniper Networks where he leads critical knowledge initiatives. His fluency in MPLS and SDN, combined with certifications like CCIE R&S and JNCIE-SP, grounds this book in real-world expertise. This background ensures the book delivers a pragmatic understanding of how to scale and interoperate MPLS services across vendors, making it a solid reference for network professionals aiming to master complex, multivendor environments.
by Antonio Sanchez Monge, Krzysztof Grzegorz Szarkowicz··You?
About the Author
Antonio 'Ato' Sánchez-Monge has 16 years of experience in the IP/MPLS (and Software-Defined) Networking industry, first with HP as Cisco partner, and then for the last 11 years in Juniper Networks, currently in the Contrail Business Unit. He is fluent in three languages and holds CCIE R&S # 13098, JNCIE-SP #222. Ato has written five more books in Juniper Networks, and is leading several knowledge management initiatives inside the company. MPLS and SDN are part of his daily job, from design down to the details, and is a go-to person inside Juniper for many technical topics.
2016·917 pages·MPLS, Networking, Software Defined Networking, Ethernet VPN, Network Function Virtualization
Antonio 'Ato' Sánchez-Monge's extensive career in IP/MPLS and Software-Defined Networking inspired this detailed exploration of multivendor MPLS deployments. You learn how to configure and integrate complex MPLS services across platforms like Juniper's Junos, Cisco's IOS XR, and OpenContrail, with no vendor bias clouding the technical clarity. The book dives into evolving MPLS architectures such as Ethernet VPNs, Network Function Virtualization, and Seamless MPLS, providing concrete examples like RSVP-TE and BGP implementations to help you understand interoperability challenges and solutions. If you work with scalable network services or design hybrid MPLS-SDN environments, this text offers the depth you need; however, it demands a solid networking background to fully benefit.
This personalized AI book about MPLS mastery is created after you share your networking background, current expertise, and specific MPLS topics you want to focus on. You tell us your goals, like improving design or troubleshooting skills, and the book is crafted to cover exactly what you need to advance. Using AI in the creation ensures your unique context shapes the content, making the complex world of MPLS more accessible and directly relevant to your career path.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored book provides a personalized framework for mastering Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) by focusing on your unique experience and objectives. It offers an in-depth exploration of MPLS concepts, including label switching, traffic engineering, VPN architectures, and integration with SDN, tailored to fit your specific networking environment. The book emphasizes practical strategies for configuring, designing, and optimizing MPLS networks, carefully cutting through generic advice to deliver a tailored approach that matches your expertise level and career goals. Readers gain targeted insights into advanced MPLS applications and troubleshooting, ensuring the content fits their precise professional context and accelerates effective implementation.
Vivek Alwayn, CCIE No. 2995 and chief technology officer at BNETSYS, brings over 14 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing MPLS networks worldwide. His leadership in deploying AT&T's MPLS backbone in South America uniquely qualifies him to guide you through advanced MPLS design and implementation. This expertise translates into a resource grounded in real-world application and technical rigor, making it a valuable guide for anyone managing complex MPLS infrastructures.
Vivek Alwayn, CCIE No. 2995, is the chief technology officer of BNETSYS, Inc. (bnetsys), an internetworking company focused on service provider MPLS. He has over 14 years of experience with data communications technologies and protocols. He has designed and implemented numerous large-scale WAN-switched, LAN-switched, and routed networks for service provider and enterprise customers worldwide. Recently, he participated in the architecture and led the implementation of AT&T's MPLS backbone network in South America. This is one of the first successful implementations of BPX WAN switches and LSRs in a production MPLS environment. He holds a B.S. in electronics engineering and is working on his master's degree in telecommunications. Mr. Alwayn is also an active member of the IEEE and IETF. He can be reached at valwayn@bnetsys.net.
469 pages·MPLS, Networking, VPN Design, Traffic Engineering, Quality Of Service
When Vivek Alwayn first realized the complexities of deploying large-scale MPLS networks, he set out to create a detailed resource that goes beyond basic theory. You gain a thorough understanding of MPLS architecture, along with practical guidance on designing and implementing packet- and ATM-based MPLS VPNs using label switching routers. The book also dives into advanced topics like traffic engineering and quality of service, backed by case studies and configuration examples that reflect real-world network environments. If you're responsible for service provider or enterprise MPLS networks, this book gives you the technical depth and design principles needed to build scalable and efficient infrastructures.
MPLS for Cisco Networks offers a focused approach to understanding Multiprotocol Label Switching within Cisco routing environments. The book distills complex MPLS topics into manageable segments designed primarily for those preparing for the CCIE v5 exam, but its detailed explanations benefit anyone interested in building scalable, protocol-independent networks. It addresses the challenges of network scalability and protocol diversity by providing a solid framework to design and implement MPLS solutions effectively. This guide serves as a practical resource to navigate MPLS architecture, label switching, and traffic engineering, helping you grasp the technology's essential components and deployment strategies.
What if everything you knew about MPLS was wrong? Mr Stuart D Fordham challenges conventional networking approaches by focusing on building scalable, protocol-independent networks tailored for Cisco environments. This guide is designed with CCIE candidates in mind, yet its detailed explanations and extensive coverage of MPLS topics make it a solid resource for network engineers at various levels aiming to deepen their understanding of MPLS architecture and deployment. You’ll find practical insights into label switching, traffic engineering, and VPN configurations, especially useful for mastering the CCIE v5 exam objectives. The book’s clear structure helps demystify complex MPLS concepts but might feel dense if you’re not pursuing Cisco certification specifically.
Jim Guichard, CCIE® No. 2069, brings over eight years at Cisco Systems and prior experience at IBM to this authoritative guide on MPLS. His deep involvement in MPLS/IP Layer-2 and Layer-3 VPN technologies, combined with his coauthors' expertise, grounds the book in real-world network design and protocol development. Their collective background in service provider environments and IETF standardization efforts makes this book a practical resource for understanding and implementing MPLS solutions across diverse networks.
by Jim Guichard, Francois Le Faucheur, Jean-Philippe Vasseur··You?
About the Author
Jim Guichard, CCIE® No. 2069, is a system architect at Cisco Systems®, with a primary focus on MPLS/IP Layer-2 and Layer-3 VPN technologies. During the last eight years at Cisco®, and previously at IBM, Jim has been involved in the design, implementation, and planning of many large-scale WAN and LAN networks. François Le Faucheur is a system architect at Cisco Systems working in product development and IETF standardization in the area of IP QoS and MPLS. Prior to joining Cisco, he worked for several telecom carriers in France and Australia on the development of enhanced services on ATM, Frame Relay, SMDS, and IP. Jean-Philippe Vasseur is Cisco Distinguished Engineer where he works on IP/MPLS architecture specifications, focusing on IP, TE, and network recovery. He holds an engineering degree from France and an M.S. from the SIT (New Jersey, USA). Before joining Cisco, he worked for several service providers in large multiprotocol environments. He is an active member of the IETF, co-chair of the IETF PCE (Path Computation Element) Working Group and coauthor of several IETF RFCs. He is a regular speaker at various international conferences and is involved in various projects in the area of IP and MPLS. He has also filed several patents in the area of IP and MPLS and is the coauthor of “Network Recovery”.
516 pages·MPLS, Networking, VPN Design, Traffic Engineering, Quality Of Service
Jim Guichard's extensive experience at Cisco reshaped how MPLS network design is approached, moving beyond basic protocol theory to practical, environment-specific applications. You gain a detailed understanding of MPLS VPNs, pseudowire, QoS, traffic engineering, IPv6, and network recovery, all through real-world design studies tailored for different service provider and enterprise scenarios. The book walks you through network environments, objectives, configurations, and lessons, helping you grasp how to optimize designs for bandwidth and service quality. If you're an MPLS architect or network engineer aiming to deepen your design skills with examples grounded in actual deployments, this book offers valuable, directly applicable insights.
This AI-created book on MPLS skills is crafted based on your background, current knowledge, and specific goals. You share what MPLS topics you want to focus on and your desired pace of learning, and the book is created to guide you through daily steps tailored to your situation. This personalized approach makes complex MPLS concepts more accessible by linking theory with practice in a way that fits your skill level and objectives, helping you build confidence efficiently.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This personalized book provides a focused 30-day plan to build and apply MPLS skills effectively, offering a tailored approach that fits your current experience and career objectives. It breaks down complex MPLS concepts into manageable daily actions, emphasizing practical implementation over theory. The content covers foundational MPLS topics such as label switching, VPNs, and traffic engineering, then advances to nuanced configuration and troubleshooting techniques. By cutting through generic advice, this tailored framework ensures you concentrate on what directly enhances your expertise and operational capabilities in MPLS environments. It integrates strategy with hands-on application to bridge the gap between learning and real-world network deployment.
Jim Guichard, CCIE No. 2069 and a technical leader at Cisco Systems, co-authored this book to share his deep expertise in MPLS and IP backbone technologies. His hands-on experience with designing and deploying large-scale networks for major Cisco customers informs the book's comprehensive treatment of advanced MPLS VPN architectures. This resource connects real-world network challenges with practical solutions, making it a valuable reference for professionals seeking to secure and scale their MPLS VPN deployments.
Jim Guichard, CCIE No. 2069, is a technical leader for MPLS and IP backbone technologies at Cisco Systems and is the co-author of the highly successful book MPLS and VPN Architectures, published by Cisco Press. He has extensive experience with designing, migrating, and deploying large-scale IP networks and has assisted many of the largest Cisco customers with the integration of MPLS-related technologies into their networks.
Drawing from Jim Guichard's extensive experience as a technical leader at Cisco Systems, this book dives deep into advanced MPLS VPN solutions that network professionals need to master. You’ll get detailed insights into integrating remote access technologies with MPLS backbones, handling complex routing protocols like IS-IS and OSPF, and deploying cutting-edge security measures to protect VPN infrastructures. The book doesn’t just cover concepts; it walks you through real deployment challenges such as multi-carrier VPN setups and troubleshooting techniques that ensure high availability. If your work involves designing or maintaining large-scale, secure MPLS VPN networks, this book offers a focused and practical framework to enhance your expertise.
Kumar Reddy, manager of Technical Marketing Engineering at Cisco Systems with 15 years of broadband and MPLS experience, authored this book leveraging his direct work on DSL deployments and major customer designs globally. His deep involvement with Cisco's broadband product evolution and internal research underpins the detailed guidance and real-world configuration examples provided, making it a valuable resource for understanding large-scale MPLS broadband VPN networks.
Kumar Reddy is a manager of Technical Marketing Engineering at Cisco Systems. He has 15 years of industry experience and was involved with DSL broadband at Cisco since some of the earliest deployments in 1998. Kumar contributed to broadband technology and product evolution at Cisco and worked on major customer designs, both in the U.S. and internationally. Kumar is a recognized broadband expert with knowledge of the technologies, products, and trends that are driving the market. He has worked directly with major customers and designs, both in the U.S. and internationally, and has done extensive internal research in this domain, working with internal engineering and marketing teams on new product features and direction. Kumar has also worked on MPLS deployments, as part of his role to support the Cisco aggregation product portfolio.
The breakthrough moment came when Kumar Reddy, drawing on 15 years at Cisco deeply involved in DSL broadband and MPLS deployments, challenged conventional MPLS design thinking for broadband access VPNs. You gain a detailed understanding of how to manage massive scale networks, including dynamic VPNs, route summarization, and when to deploy virtual home gateways. The book dives into access technologies like DSL, Ethernet, and cable, while comparing VPN tunneling protocols such as GRE, IPSec, and L2TP with real-world configuration examples. If you work with broadband networks or want to master MPLS VPN architecture at scale, this book offers a grounded, technical perspective that goes beyond theory to practical design and deployment.
Ina Minei brings solid expertise as a network protocols engineer at Juniper Networks, focusing on MPLS protocols for core routers. Her background at Cisco and active role in industry forums underpin this book, which offers a thorough look at how MPLS enables network convergence and expands service capabilities. Her hands-on experience lends credibility to the detailed coverage of MPLS applications, making it a relevant resource for professionals working on next-generation networks.
Ina Minei has been a network protocols engineer at Juniper Networks for the past five years working on next-generation network technologies of core routers, where she focuses on MPLS protocols and applications. She previously worked at Cisco for two years in various software development projects for routers and switches. Ms Minei is an active participant in industry fora and conferences and has co-filed several patents in the area of IP and MPLS. She holds a Master's degree in computer science from the Technion, Israel.
MPLS-Enabled Applications explores how Multiprotocol Label Switching transforms network infrastructure by enabling convergence and service scalability. Drawing from Ina Minei's extensive experience at Juniper Networks and Cisco, the book delves into applications like traffic engineering, Layer 3 VPNs, pseudowires, and virtual LAN services, offering detailed explanations and over 100 illustrations. You’ll gain insight into how MPLS optimizes network operations, reduces costs, and supports diverse traffic types including voice and video. This text suits network engineers and architects aiming to deepen their technical understanding of MPLS deployments and innovations.
Lancy Lobo, CCIE® No. 4690 and network consulting engineer at Cisco Systems, brings deep practical experience supporting strategic service provider and enterprise customers. Alongside Umesh Lakshman from Cisco's Service Provider Field Labs, their combined expertise informs this book, which offers detailed guidance on configuring MPLS using Cisco IOS software. Their backgrounds ensure the book addresses real-world challenges network engineers face, making it a valuable resource for mastering MPLS technologies in complex environments.
Lancy Lobo, CCIE® No. 4690 (Routing/Switching and Service Provider), is a network consulting engineer in Cisco Systems Advanced Services group, supporting Cisco strategic service provider and enterprise customers. Umesh Lakshman is a technical project systems engineer with the Service Provider Field Labs at Cisco.
When Lancy Lobo and Umesh Lakshman drew from their extensive Cisco Systems expertise, they crafted a detailed guide that goes beyond basic MPLS concepts to cover configuration on Cisco IOS software comprehensively. You gain insight into practical commands and scenarios involving MPLS VPNs, traffic engineering, QoS, and Layer 2 VPNs like Any Transport over MPLS and VPLS, supported by real configuration examples. The book’s strength lies in connecting foundational MPLS operation to advanced deployment options, such as Inter-AS and Carrier Supporting Carrier environments, making it a solid resource if you manage or design service provider or enterprise networks. If your work revolves around Cisco platforms and you seek to deepen your operational skills, this book offers a thorough, hands-on reference.
Zhuo (Frank) Xu is a recognized MPLS/VPLS service routing expert and the world's first Alcatel-Lucent Service Routing Architect. Drawing from his deep telecom background, he crafted this guide to address the complexities of Ethernet Layer 2 VPNs over IP/MPLS networks. His firsthand knowledge of carrier networks shapes the book’s detailed exploration of VPLS and VLL technologies, making it a technically rich resource for professionals seeking to implement robust, high-quality Ethernet services.
Zhuo (Frank) Xu is a recognized MPLS/VPLS service routing expert. A seasoned telecom professional, he holds several industry IP certifications including the distinction of being the world's first Alcatel-Lucent Service Routing Architect.
When Zhuo Xu first realized the growing demand for reliable, flexible Ethernet VPN services, he drew on decades of telecom expertise to write this detailed guide. You’ll gain a solid understanding of designing and implementing VPLS and VLL over IP/MPLS networks, including how to build converged service networks, utilize MPLS label switched paths, and ensure resiliency with Fast Reroute techniques. This book suits network architects and engineers tasked with deploying carrier-grade Ethernet services who want technical depth on protocols like RSVP-TE, BGP auto-discovery, and PBB-VPLS. While dense, its practical focus on service routing architecture and high availability makes it a valuable resource for those responsible for scalable, resilient WAN deployments.
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Conclusion
The 10 MPLS books showcased here collectively emphasize three key themes: a solid grasp of architecture and protocols, practical deployment strategies tailored to real-world networks, and the integration of MPLS with evolving technologies like SDN and broadband access. Whether you’re just starting or refining advanced designs, these books cover the spectrum from fundamentals to nuanced VPN architectures.
If your challenge is building foundational knowledge, start with MPLS Fundamentals and MPLS for Cisco Networks to ground your skills. For rapid implementation and design excellence, combine Advanced Mpls Design and Implementation with Definitive Mpls Network Designs. Those focusing on emerging applications and broadband access will find MPLS in the SDN Era and Building MPLS-Based Broadband Access VPNs invaluable.
Once you’ve absorbed these expert insights, create a personalized MPLS book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. Tailored learning ensures your MPLS expertise remains sharp, relevant, and ready to tackle the challenges unique to your network environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which MPLS book should I start with?
Start with "MPLS Fundamentals" by Luc De Ghein. It lays down the architecture and core concepts clearly, providing a solid base before diving into advanced topics or vendor-specific implementations.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to MPLS?
Not at all. While some titles like "Advanced Mpls Design and Implementation" are technical, books like "MPLS Fundamentals" and "MPLS for Cisco Networks" ease newcomers into the subject with practical examples and clear explanations.
What's the best order to read these MPLS books?
Begin with foundational texts like "MPLS Fundamentals," then move to vendor-focused guides such as "MPLS for Cisco Networks." Follow with design and architecture books, ending with specialized topics like broadband VPNs or SDN integration.
Can I skip around or do I need to read these MPLS books cover to cover?
Many of these books serve as references. You can focus on chapters relevant to your current projects, but sequential reading builds a stronger understanding of MPLS concepts and design principles.
Are any of these MPLS books outdated given how fast the technology changes?
While networking evolves, these books cover foundational MPLS principles and architectures that remain relevant. Titles like "MPLS in the SDN Era" address newer trends, ensuring your knowledge stays current.
How can I get MPLS learning tailored to my specific network challenges and goals?
Great question! These expert books offer solid fundamentals, but personalized content can focus on your unique needs. You can create a customized MPLS book tailored to your background, skill level, and goals for efficient learning.
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