User-Visible PPVPN Services

This section deals with the types of VPN currently considered active in the IETF; some historical names were replaced by these terms.

Layer 1 Services

Virtual Private Wire and Private Line Services (VPWS and VPLS)

In both of these services, the provider does not offer a full routed or bridged network, but components from which the customer can build customer-administered networks. VPWS are point-to-point while VPLS can be point-to-multipoint. They can be Layer 1 emulated circuits with no data link structure.

It is the customer that determines the overall customer VPN service, which can involve routing, bridging, or host network elements.

There is an unfortunate acronym collision between Virtual Private Line Service and Virtual Private LAN Service; the context should make it clear whether the layer 1 virtual private line or the layer 2 virtual private LAN is meant.