EPL and EVPL – Benefits and Differences

Ethernet provides synchronous, high bandwidth service, making it an excellent option for many businesses. Business Ethernet services can meet a range of bandwidth and distance requirements over both fiber and copper local infrastructures. The Metro Ethernet Forum specifies three types of connections: E-Line, which is based on a point-to-point connection, and E-LAN and E-Tree, which are based on point-to-multipoint connections.

EPL and EVPL are both E-line services. Let’s explore the differences and benefits of these services.

What is EPL?

Ethernet private line (EPL) is a private data connection that securely connects a location with a private data service. This data transport service works on a closed network. In other words, it does not travel through the public internet. Therefore, this secure form of network communication does not require any additional data encryption features as data is protected from public access.

These services come in different bandwidth speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. Since it is a dedicated service, the QoS (Quality of Service) parameters are excellent. EPL data services offer businesses reliability, low latency, and secure options for network communication.

The main features of EPL service are:

• Service delivery is designed on the physical port principle
• Point-to-Point (P2P) connectivity between a pair of dedicated User Network Interfaces (UNIs)
• Excellent VLAN transparency
• CoS by OVS and multi CoS by OVC
• A high level of L2CP transparency

What is EVPL?

Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) is a high-speed Ethernet virtual link offering point to multipoint connectivity through service multiplexing. It is a layer two network that is designed to provide a secured high-performance connection with low latency and minimal packet loss. The Ethernet connection sends data to a dedicated central hub from where it can be accessed by different spokes.

EVPL is ideal for a data center and branch office locations setup. These circuits are ideal for WAN connectivity as they can successfully link multiple data centers, office locations, as well as cloud infrastructure together, creating a single network.

The main features of EVPL service are:

• Service delivery is designed on the principles of VLANs.
• Poor quality VLAN transparency
• CoS by EVC only

EVPL’s nature of connectivity makes it suitable for a business requiring high-speed data connectivity for multipoint configuration. Moreover, the increase in distance has no impact on the cost or quality of service delivered in EVPL connections.

EPL vs. EVPL

Both of these Ethernet data transfer technologies are simple private connections capable of offering the required flexibility and scalability to organizations. They only differ in their configurations. While one is a point-to-point connection, the other can be either point-to-point or point to multiple points.

Unlike EPL, EVPL allows for service multiplexing, i.e., multiple EVCs or Ethernet services per UNI. The other difference between the EVPL and EPL is the degree of transparency: while EPL is highly transparent, filtering only the pause frames, EVPL is required to either peer or drop most of the Layer 2 control protocols.

Benefits of EPL and EVPL

Both services offer many benefits, including:

• Low Latency – Connecting two UNIs over E-Line reduces delay, lags, session timeouts, and other latency issues. This increases network reliability.
• Consistent Quality of Service (QoS) – Most vendors promise consistent and predictable QoS for strong network performance
• High-Speed Service – Services can range from 1Gbps to 100 Gbps, providing the high-speed Internet service that today’s businesses need for success.
• Cost-Effectiveness – EPL, and EVPL services are relatively less expensive than comparable alternatives.
• Redundancy and control – Backup connections can be used for greater network redundancy. Ethernet services also allow businesses to have greater control over the underlying infrastructure.

Which service is right for you?

Both EPL and EVPL offer high-speed Ethernet connectivity across multiple locations. Choice of service depends on individual business network requirements. Contact us for a free consultation about the best telecom service option for your business!