Chapter 8. MPLS/VPN Architecture Overview

In the previous chapter, you learned about virtual private network (VPN) evolution; two major VPN models, overlay VPN and peer-to-peer VPN; and the major technologies used to implement both VPN models.

The overlay VPN model, most commonly used in a service provider network, dictates that the design and provisioning of virtual circuits across the backbone must be complete prior to any traffic flow. In the case of an IP network, this means that even though the underlying technology is connectionless, it requires a connection-oriented approach to provision the service.

From a service provider's point of view, the scaling issues of an overlay VPN model are felt most when having to manage and provision a large ...

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