Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS) is an emerging
technology for transparently connecting corporate LANs
over the Internet so they appear and behave to customers
like a single bridged Ethernet LAN. Combining the simplicity
of Ethernet backbone LAN technology with the scalability
and security of the MPLS
core, VPLS is a viable alternative for enterprises seeking
a cost-effective VPN solution. However, VPLS adds to
the requirements of Provider Edge (PE) routers, and
these requirements must be thoroughly tested!
This paper provides a basic understanding of how VPLS
works and describes some key scenarios for testing the
functionality and scalability of VPLS implementations.