RFC 2685 (rfc2685) - Page 1 of 6
Virtual Private Networks Identifier
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group B. Fox
Request for Comments: 2685 Lucent Technologies
Category: Standards Track B. Gleeson
Nortel Networks
September 1999
Virtual Private Networks Identifier
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
Virtual Private IP networks may span multiple Autonomous Systems or
Service Providers. There is a requirement for the use of a globally
unique VPN identifier in order to be able to refer to a particular
VPN (see section 6.1.1 of [1]). This document proposes a format for
a globally unique VPN identifier.
1. Introduction
As the Public Internet expands and extends its infrastructure
globally, the determination to exploit this infrastructure has led to
widespread interest in IP based Virtual Private Networks. A VPN
emulates a private IP network over public or shared infrastructures.
Virtual Private Networks provide advantages to both the Service
Provider and its customers. For its customers, a VPN can extend the
IP capabilities of a corporate site to remote offices and/or users
with intranet, extranet, and dialup services. This connectivity
should be achieved at a lower cost to the customer with savings in
capital equipment, operations, and services. The Service Provider
is able to make better use of its infrastructure and network
administration expertise offering IP VPN connectivity and/or services
to its customers.
There are many ways in which IP VPN services may be implemented. The
IP based VPN framework document [1] identifies four types of VPN to
be supported: Virtual Leased Lines, Virtual Private Routed Networks,
Fox & Gleeson Standards Track