350-501 Architecture Practice Question
A service provider wants to offer Layer 2 VPN services using MPLS. Which technology should be used to transport Ethernet frames across the MPLS core?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between point-to-point (Pseudowire) and multipoint (VPLS) Layer 2 services, so the trap here is that candidates may confuse VPLS as the answer because it also transports Ethernet frames, but the question specifies 'Layer 2 VPN services' without mentioning multipoint, making Pseudowire the correct choice.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Pseudowire
Pseudowire (A) is the correct technology because it provides a point-to-point Layer 2 circuit over an MPLS core, allowing Ethernet frames to be encapsulated and transported transparently. This is defined in RFC 4448 (Ethernet over MPLS) and enables service providers to offer E-Line services. Pseudowire uses MPLS labels to forward frames across the core without requiring the core routers to participate in the customer's Layer 2 control plane.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Pseudowire
Why this is correct
Pseudowire provides point-to-point Layer 2 transport over MPLS.
- ✗
LDP
Why it's wrong here
LDP distributes labels but does not transport Layer 2 frames.
- ✗
VPLS
Why it's wrong here
VPLS is for multipoint Layer 2 VPN, not point-to-point.
- ✗
L3VPN
Why it's wrong here
L3VPN is for Layer 3 services.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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