EVPN MPLS vs. EVPN VXLAN: Understanding the Two EVPN Transport Options
May 14, 20251 min read
Enterprises seeking scalable and flexible network architectures often turn to Ethernet VPN (EVPN) solutions. However, a critical decision lies in choosing the right transport: EVPN Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) or EVPN Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN). While both leverage BGP EVPN as the control plane, their underlying technologies, deployment models, and use cases differ significantly. This article breaks down these two EVPN transport options, helping you determine which architecture aligns best with your network requirements.
EVPN MPLS and EVPN VXLAN Explained
Ethernet Virtual Private Network is a standards-based technology that enables flexible and scalable Layer 2/Layer 3 connectivity across distributed networks. It uses Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to exchange MAC and IP routing information over MPLS or IP infrastructures, allowing seamless interconnection of geographically dispersed networks. EVPN can be implemented over different transmission technologies, such as MPLS and VXLAN.
What Is EVPN MPLS
EVPN MPLS combines the EVPN control plane with MPLS for data forwarding. Traditionally used in carrier and wide-area network (WAN) environments, it relies on an MPLS core infrastructure with Provider (P) and Provider Edge (PE) routers. Key characteristics include:
Label-based forwarding: Uses MPLS labels to encapsulate and route traffic across the network.
WAN-centric design: Optimized for long-haul connectivity, interconnecting geographically dispersed sites.
MPLS dependency: Requires a dedicated MPLS core and expertise in protocols like LDP or RSVP-TE.
EVPN MPLS is ideal for service providers or enterprises with existing MPLS investments, offering granular traffic engineering and QoS capabilities.
What Is EVPN VXLAN
EVPN VXLAN integrates EVPN with VXLAN, an overlay technology that encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames in IP/UDP headers. Designed for data center and enterprise campus networks, it operates as an overlay on standard IP underlays. Key features include:
IP-based encapsulation: Uses VXLAN headers to extend Layer 2 segments over Layer 3 networks.
VTEP endpoints: VXLAN Tunnel Endpoints (VTEPs) handle encapsulation/decapsulation at the network edge.
Scalability: Supports up to 16 million virtual networks (via 24-bit VXLAN IDs), ideal for multi-tenant environments.
EVPN VXLAN eliminates the need for MPLS, making it cost-effective and simpler to deploy in cloud-native or hybrid environments.
Key Differences Between EVPN MPLS and EVPN VXLAN
Here’s a summary of the main differences between EVPN MPLS and EVPN VXLAN.
Category | EVPN MPLS | EVPN VXLAN |
Underlying Technology | Using MPLS with label-based forwarding, effective in existing MPLS networks. | Using VXLAN overlay (IP/UDP encapsulation), extends VLANs over Layer 3 networks. |
Control Plane | BGP for MAC/IP routing information exchange. | BGP for MAC/IP routing information exchange. |
Scalability | Limited by MPLS core and label distribution capabilities. | Supporting 16 million segments (24-bit VNIs), ideal for large-scale environments. |
Applicable Scenarios | Service providers, WANs, enterprises with MPLS, strong QoS/ traffic engineering. | Data centers, campus networks, IP-based underlay, no MPLS dependency. |
Deployment Costs | Higher (MPLS infrastructure, specialized hardware, expertise required). | Lower (leverage IP networks, no dedicated MPLS hardware). |
Broadcast Handling | Using MPLS encapsulation with ingress replication or P2MP LSPs for BUM traffic. | Relying on IGMP snooping/multicast trees, supporting head-end replication. |
Underlying Technology
EVPN MPLS utilizes MPLS as the fundamental data plane technology, capitalizing on label-based forwarding mechanisms. It is particularly effective in networks already built on MPLS infrastructure.
EVPN VXLAN employs VXLAN as the overlay protocol, encapsulating Layer 2 frames into IP/UDP packets. VXLAN is primarily used to extend VLANs over existing Layer 3 networks.
Control Plane
Both EVPN MPLS and EVPN VXLAN use BGP as their control plane protocol. BGP disseminates MAC and IP routing information necessary for building the EVPN.
Scalability
EVPN MPLS: While scalable, it relies on the existing MPLS core and typically scales according to MPLS capabilities and label distribution setups.
EVPN VXLAN offers significant scalability advantages with 24-bit VXLAN Network Identifiers (VNIs), allowing for up to 16 million network segments, making it extremely suitable for large data centers and multi-tenant environments.
Applicable Scenarios
EVPN MPLS is best suited for service provider networks and enterprises with pre-existing MPLS infrastructures, offering robust QoS and traffic engineering capabilities.
EVPN VXLAN fits well in data centers and campus networks requiring rapid deployment and easier extensibility across Layer 3 domains, without relying on MPLS.
Deployment Costs
EVPN MPLS often involves higher deployment costs due to the complexity and the requirement for MPLS infrastructure and specialized hardware.
EVPN VXLAN can be more cost-effective, especially in environments where leveraging existing IP networks is feasible, reducing the need for dedicated MPLS hardware.
Broadcast Handling
EVPN MPLS handles broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast (BUM) traffic via MPLS encapsulation, often requiring additional mechanisms like ingress replication or P2MP LSPs for efficiency.
EVPN VXLAN typically manages BUM traffic using protocols like IGMP snooping or multicast trees, with options for head-end replication in unicast-only deployments.
Choosing the Right Architecture: When to Use EVPN MPLS or EVPN VXLAN
When to Use EVPN MPLS
The following network scenarios are suitable for using EVPN MPLS.
Legacy MPLS networks: Utilize EVPN MPLS to enhance existing MPLS infrastructure, maximizing investments by adding Ethernet VPN support for increased flexibility and scalability.
Carrier-grade QoS: Ideal for scenarios needing advanced traffic engineering and Quality of Service (QoS) for latency-sensitive applications, providing strict bandwidth and delay management.
WAN connectivity: MPLS is well-suited for connecting geographically dispersed offices or data centers, offering stable, highly reliable Wide Area Network (WAN) connections.
When to Use EVPN VXLAN
The network scenarios below are ideal for implementing EVPN VXLAN.
Data center fabrics: Use EVPN VXLAN to build scalable, multi-tenant spine-leaf architectures, supporting large-scale virtualized or containerized environments efficiently.
Hybrid/multi-cloud: Facilitates the seamless extension of Layer 2/3 networks across on-premises and cloud environments, making it ideal for hybrid or multi-cloud deployments.
Edge computing and IoT deployments: Ideal for distributed edge environments with dynamic connectivity needs, EVPN VXLAN simplifies network orchestration and policy consistency across thousands of edge sites or IoT devices while maintaining scalability and low operational overhead.
Simplify Campus Fabric with EVPN-VXLAN: FS PicOS® Makes It Easy
The FS S5870 series and S5890-32C PicOS® switches, powered by Broadcom chips, integrate advanced EVPN VXLAN features to address modern campus network demands. EVPN VXLAN enhances cloud data center network virtualization, providing scalable, secure, and efficient multi-tenant environments through seamless cross-data center connectivity and simplified management. In campus deployments, EVPN-VXLAN simplifies operations through centralized control-plane automation (e.g., MAC/IP learning) and policy-driven traffic steering, reducing manual configuration while maintaining secure Layer 2/3 connectivity. This combination of excellent hardware and protocol flexibility makes the S5870 and S5890 series PicOS® switches ideal for campus networks requiring high performance and future-ready scalability.
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