MPLS L2 VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) VPN is a technology used to provide Layer 2 (L2) Ethernet connectivity over a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. Here's a summary of how it works:
Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS): VPLS is a way to extend a local area network (LAN) across a wide area network (WAN) by emulating the behavior of a LAN switch or bridge. It allows multiple geographically dispersed sites to appear as if they are connected to the same LAN segment, enabling seamless communication between them.
MPLS: Multiprotocol Label Switching is a technique used in telecommunications networks to direct data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table.
MPLS L2 VPLS VPN: In this context, MPLS L2 VPLS VPN combines the benefits of MPLS and VPLS technologies to create a secure and scalable Layer 2 VPN solution. It allows multiple customer sites to be interconnected over an MPLS backbone, providing them with a transparent Ethernet-based VPN service.
How it Works:
Customer sites connect to the MPLS network via Provider Edge (PE) routers.
Each PE router maintains a VPLS instance, which functions as a virtual switch.
The PE routers use MPLS labels to forward Ethernet frames between customer sites.
Traffic is encapsulated with MPLS labels as it enters the MPLS network and is forwarded based on these labels.
At each hop, the MPLS labels are used to determine the next hop in the network until the traffic reaches its destination PE router.
At the destination PE router, the MPLS labels are removed, and the original Ethernet frames are delivered to the appropriate customer site.
Overall, MPLS L2 VPLS VPN provides a flexible and efficient solution for connecting multiple customer sites in a secure and scalable manner, enabling them to communicate as if they were on the same LAN segment.