VPRN

VPRN stands for Virtual Private Routed Network. It is a provider-provisioned VPN service used by telecommunications operators to deliver scalable, isolated IP networking to customers over a shared MPLS backbone. In a VPRN, each customer’s IP routing domain is kept separate from others by using a distinct virtual routing instance on the provider edge (PE) routers, enabling multiple customers to share the same infrastructure while maintaining complete routing isolation.

Architecture and operation: On PE routers, each VPRN corresponds to a separate VRF (virtual routing and forwarding instance) with its own routing table. Customer routes are learned and distributed between PEs using Multiprotocol BGP (MP-BGP), carrying VPN prefixes in VPNv4 or VPNv6 formats. Route Distinguisher (RD) values ensure route uniqueness across customers, while Route Targets (RTs control import and export of routes into the appropriate VRFs. Traffic inside the provider network is forwarded via MPLS label switching, with LSPs established through the backbone to connect PEs. Customer edge (CE) devices connect to PEs using standard routing protocols or static routes, enabling the customer’s sites to appear as a single routed domain across the VPRN.

Characteristics and scope: VPRN provides Layer 3 connectivity, differentiating it from Layer 2 VPNs such as VPLS. It supports IPv4 and IPv6, common VPN features, and quality of service and traffic engineering options offered by the provider’s MPLS core. The service scales by adding VRFs and distributing routes across the MPLS backbone without exposing one customer’s routes to others.

See also: MPLS, VRF, MP-BGP, Route Distinguisher, Route Target, L3VPN, VPN.