191
Configuring MPLS L3VPN
NOTE:
This chapter covers only introduction to and configuration of MPLS L3VPN. For information about MPLS
basics, see the chapter “Configuring basic MPLS.” For information about BGP, see
Layer 3—IP Routing
Configuration Guide.
MPLS L3VPN overview
Introduction to MPLS L3VPN
MPLS L3VPN is a kind of PE-based L3VPN technology for service provider VPN solutions. It uses BGP to
advertise VPN routes and uses MPLS to forward VPN packets on service provider backbones.
MPLS L3VPN is widely used because it provides flexible networking modes, excellent scalability, and
convenient support for MPLS QoS and MPLS TE.
The MPLS L3VPN model consists of the following kinds of devices:
•
Customer edge (CE) device: A CE resides on a customer network and has one or more interfaces
directly connected with service provider networks. It can be a router, a switch, or a host. It neither
can "sense" the existence of any VPN nor must it support MPLS.
•
Provider edge (PE) device: A PE resides on a service provider network and connects one or more
CEs to the network. On an MPLS network, all VPN processing occurs on the PEs.
•
Provider (P) device: A P device is a backbone router on a service provider network. It is not directly
connected to any CE. It only must be equipped with basic MPLS forwarding capability.
Figure 47
Network diagram for MPLS L3VPN model
CEs and PEs mark the boundary between the service providers and the customers.
