Overview

MPLS L2VPN is an implementation of Pseudo Wire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3). It offers Layer 2 VPN services over an MPLS or IP backbone. MPLS L2VPN can transparently transmit Layer 2 data for different data link layer protocols, including Ethernet, VLAN, ATM, FR, and PPP.

From a user's perspective, the MPLS or IP backbone is a Layer 2 switched network. For example, when two Ethernet networks are connected through MPLS L2VPN over an MPLS backbone, Ethernet users are unaware of the MPLS backbone, and think that they are connected directly through an Ethernet.