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10.3.2.3 VPNs
A VPN emulates a private network infrastructure over a shared public network, typically the
Internet. e term virtual refers to the fact that there is no privately managed underlying physical
network. e term private refers to the fact that access is restricted only to a defined set of entities.
In particular, IP VPNs emulate a private network over a shared MPLS or IP network. Layer 2
VPNs emulate Frame Relay, ATM, or Ethernet services over an MPLS or IP infrastructure. RFC
2764, A Framework for IP-Based Virtual Private Networks, is a useful baseline document. IPsec-
based networks have been a ...