MPLS vs VPLS: Choosing Between Layer 3 and Layer 2 WANs

MPLS L3VPN and VPLS are both private WAN services delivered over a carrier’s MPLS backbone. The difference is the layer at which they connect your sites — and that changes how you design and run your network.

MPLS L3VPN: a routed network

Each site connects to the provider with a routed interface. The provider’s routers learn your routes (statically or via BGP) and forward traffic between your sites. You do not need to manage routing between locations.

• Scales well to hundreds of sites
• Any-to-any connectivity by default
• Built-in QoS classes for voice, video and critical apps

VPLS: a virtual Ethernet switch

All sites appear to be connected to the same Ethernet switch. Your own routers or switches peer directly with each other, and you control routing completely.

• Ideal for data-centre interconnect and stretched VLANs
• Supports non-IP and legacy protocols
• Best for a smaller number of sites — broadcast domains do not scale indefinitely

Which should you pick?

• Many branches, central data centre, standard applications: MPLS L3VPN.
• Two or three data centres, replication, clustering, own routing: VPLS or point-to-point Ethernet.
• Both needs: many enterprises run L3VPN for branches and VPLS between data centres.

And increasingly, either is combined with SD-WAN to add broadband and 4G/5G at each site.

Ubixe Infotech designs and manages MPLS and VPLS networks across India. Explore our MPLS / VPLS service or discuss your WAN.