COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MPLS LAYER 3 VPN AND LAYER 2 VPN

Abstract

MPLS is the prime technology used in Service Provider Networks. It is used as fast packet forwarding mechanism. It is the technology used in service Provider networks to connect different remote sites. MPLS can be used to transport any kind of data whether it is layer 2 data such as frame relay, Ethernet, ATM data etc or layer 3 data such as IPV4, IPV6. MPLS creates two types of VPNs. One is Layer 3 MPLS VPN and other one is Layer 2 MPLS VPN. In Layer 3 MPLS VPN, customer forms IP neighbor ship with Service Provider device. In Layer 3 VPN routing occurs between customer edge device and Provider Edge device. Layer 2 VPNs behave like the customer sites are directly connected Layer 2 Switch between them. This paper gives an overview of all these L2 and L3 MPLS VPN technologies. Key Words: MPLS, LDP VRF, RT, RD, Layer 2 MPLS VPN, Layer 3 MPLS VPN