MPLS VPN is a family of methods for using

Multiprotocol Label Switching Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on labels rather than network addresses. Whereas network addresses identify endpoints the labels identif ...

(MPLS) to create

virtual private network A virtual private network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. The be ...

s (VPNs). MPLS VPN is a flexible method to transport and route several types of network traffic using an MPLS backbone. There are three types of MPLS VPNs deployed in networks today: 1. Point-to-point ( Pseudowire) 2. Layer 2 (VPLS) 3. Layer 3 (VPRN)

Point-to-point (pseudowire)

Point-to-point MPLS VPNs employ VLL ( virtual leased lines) for providing Layer 2 point-to-point connectivity between two sites.

Ethernet Ethernet () is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 198 ...

TDM TDM may refer to: * ''TDM (film), TDM'', a 2023 Indian Marathi language, Marathi comedy film * TDM (Macau) (), a Macanese radio and television network * The Yamaha TDM, a motorcycle model * Target Disk Mode, a boot mode on certain Macintosh compute ...

, and ATM frames can be encapsulated within these VLLs. Some examples of how point-to-point VPNs might be used by utilities include: * encapsulating TDM

T1 circuit Digital Signal 1 (DS1, sometimes DS-1) is a T-carrier signaling scheme devised by Bell Labs. DS1 is the primary digital telephone standard used in the United States, Canada and Japan and is able to transmit up to 24 multiplexed voice and data cal ...

s attached to

Remote Terminal Unit A remote terminal unit(RTU) is a microprocessor-controlled electronic device that interfaces objects in the physical world to a distributed control system or SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system by transmitting telemetry data to ...

s * forwarding non-routed

DNP3 Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3) is a set of communications protocols used between components in process automation systems. Its main use is in utilities such as electric and water companies. Usage in other industries is not common. It was ...

traffic across the backbone network to the

SCADA Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a control system architecture comprising computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces for high-level supervision of machines and processes. It also covers sensors and ...

master controller.

Layer 2 VPN (VPLS)

Layer 2 MPLS VPN A Layer 2 MPLS VPN is a term in computer networking. It is a method that Internet service providers use to segregate their network for their customers, to allow them to transmit data over an IP network. This is often sold as a service to businesse ...

s, or VPLS (virtual private LAN service), offers a “switch in the cloud” style service. VPLS provides the ability to span VLANs between sites. L2 VPNs are typically used to route voice, video, and AMI traffic between substation and data center locations.

Layer 3 VPN (VPRN)

Layer 3, or VPRN (virtual private routed network), utilizes layer 3 VRF (VPN/virtual routing and forwarding) to segment routing tables for each customer utilizing the service. The customer peers with the service provider router and the two exchange routes, which are placed into a routing table specific to the customer.

Multiprotocol BGP Multiprotocol Extensions for BGP (MBGP or MP-BGP), sometimes referred to as Multiprotocol BGP or Multicast BGP and defined in IETF RFC 4760, is an extension to Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) that allows different types of addresses (known as address ...

(MP-BGP) is required in the cloud to utilize the service, which increases complexity of design and implementation. L3 VPNs are typically not deployed on utility networks due to their complexity; however, a L3 VPN could be used to route traffic between corporate or datacenter locations.

External links

RFC 4364, BGP/MPLS IP Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Virtual Private Network (VPN): A Very Detailed Guide for Newbies
MPLS networking Virtual private networks

Point-to-point (pseudowire)

Layer 2 VPN (VPLS)

Layer 3 VPN (VPRN)

See also

External links