VPLS

Understanding VPLS and Its Implementation

Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) serves as a type of Virtual Private Network (VPN) designed to connect multiple locations within a single domain via an IP or Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) framework. This Ethernet-centric network bridges disparate LAN sites, enabling organizations to link their various locations into a single, secure, high-speed network.

As a Layer 2 VPN (L2 VPN), VPLS facilitates communication between different sites on the data link layer, giving the illusion that they are part of the same local area network. This setup necessitates full mesh connectivity, where each location is directly connected to every other location. While such a configuration can be complex and costly to implement, it offers significant advantages. The primary benefit of a full mesh topology is its superior failover capability; if one link fails, the rest of the network continues to function without interruption.

The core components of VPLS include:

• Customer Edge (CE) Devices: These devices reside at the customer premises and are responsible for sending and receiving network traffic to and from the provider's network.

• Provider Edge (PE) Devices: Located at the edge of the service provider's network, PE devices manage and route traffic between multiple customer sites using MPLS.

• Full Mesh Topology: This connectivity model ensures that all sites have direct paths to each other, enhancing network resiliency and reliability.

By leveraging these core components, VPLS provides an efficient, secure, and versatile solution for extending Ethernet connectivity over a wide area network (WAN), making it a compelling choice for organizations with geographically dispersed locations.

How does VPLS function?

VPLS emulates the behavior of a traditional Ethernet LAN but does so across a dispersed network. Regardless of the geographical dispersion of your sites, VPLS interconnects your devices as if they were on the same local network. This is accomplished by establishing virtual bridges between various locations through the configuration of VLANs on your service provider's network equipment.

For businesses needing to connect multiple sites via a Wide Area Network (WAN), VPLS provides a secure, scalable solution while maintaining the reliability and performance one expects from a LAN.

Is VPLS a secure option for my business?

Yes, VPLS offers a high level of security for data transmission thanks to its any-to-any connectivity and inherent failover features. Unlike some other methods, VPLS transmits data packets using internal routing protocols rather than those of the service provider. This means service providers do not have access to sensitive data like IP addresses or routing paths, thereby allowing businesses to maintain full control over their data transmission.

Importantly, this enhanced security does not compromise on speed or latency.

Exploring VPLS: Types and Applications

Understanding the Types of VPLS: Flat and Hierarchical

Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) enables businesses to create a unified Layer 2 virtual private network across various locations, leveraging the provider's IP or MPLS backbone. VPLS is categorized primarily into two types: Flat VPLS and Hierarchical VPLS (H-VPLS).

• Flat VPLS: This configuration connects all customer edge (CE) devices directly to the provider edge (PE) devices, creating a single-level topology. In Flat VPLS, PE devices are responsible for learning and managing all MAC addresses. While this setup is easy to deploy, it may face scalability challenges as the network expands.

• Hierarchical VPLS (H-VPLS): To address scalability issues, H-VPLS introduces an additional layer of intermediate devices, known as aggregation or intermediate PE devices. This multi-tier structure helps distribute the MAC address learning load across multiple devices, enhancing the overall scalability and manageability of the network.

Harnessing the strengths of Flat and Hierarchical VPLS structures, businesses can achieve improved network efficiency, scalability, and flexibility, meeting their growing connectivity needs effectively.

What benefits does a VPLS solution offer over other solutions?

When comparing VPLS to a point-to-point Ethernet service, the key advantage is its any-to-any connectivity, allowing all connected sites to communicate directly with one another. In contrast, a point-to-point service only links two sites. When compared to an IP MPLS service (or IP-VPN), VPLS functions as a Layer 2 any-to-any service, while IP MPLS operates at Layer 3. This enables the extension of VLANs between sites with VPLS, a capability not possible with IP MPLS without using a Layer 2 overlay technology like OTV.

In an IP MPLS setup, routers are deployed at each site to exchange IP routing information with the service provider's core. With VPLS, either switches or routers can be used at each site, although careful consideration must be given to the size of broadcast domains if switches are employed.

Applications of VPLS

VPLS offers versatile applications across different sectors:

• Enterprise Connectivity: Companies use VPLS to interconnect their various branch offices, creating a seamless virtual LAN that supports efficient communication and resource sharing.

• Data Center Interconnect (DCI): VPLS is key for linking multiple data centers, facilitating efficient data transfer, workload mobility, and robust disaster recovery solutions.

• Service Provider Solutions: Telecommunications providers offer VPLS to customers needing scalable and flexible Ethernet services, enabling them to extend their network capabilities without significant infrastructure investments.