The JUNOS Software supports several types
of virtual private networks (VPNs):
Layer 2 VPNs—A Layer 2 VPN links a set of sites
that share routing information, and whose connectivity is controlled
by a collection of policies. A Layer 2 VPN is not aware of routes
within a customer’s network. It simply provides private links
between a customer’s sites over the service provider’s
existing public Internet backbone.
Layer 3 VPNs—A Layer 3 VPN is the same thing as
a Layer 2 VPN, but it is aware of routes within a customer’s
network, requiring more configuration on the part of the service provider
than a Layer 2 VPN. The sites that make up a Layer 3 VPN are connected
over a service provider’s existing public Internet backbone.
Interprovider VPNs—An interprovider VPN supplies
connectivity between two VPNs in separate autonomous systems (ASs).
This functionality can be used by a VPN customer with connections
to several Internet service providers (ISPs), or different connections
to the same ISP in various geographic regions.
Carrier-of-carrier VPNs—Carrier-of-carrier VPNs
allow a VPN service provider to supply VPN service to a customer who
is also a service provider. The latter service provider supplies Internet
or VPN service to an end customer.
