Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) Connectivity
Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) Connectivity
Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) delivers the performance and security of dedicated point-to-point circuits with the flexibility and cost-efficiency of VLAN-based multiplexing. Rather than requiring separate physical circuits for each connection, EVPL uses virtual circuits to connect one location to multiple destinations over a single fiber drop—reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining the predictable performance of private connectivity.
EVPL is ideal for organizations with multiple branch offices connecting to a central hub, hybrid cloud deployments requiring simultaneous connections to AWS and Azure, or distributed applications requiring any-to-any connectivity between sites.
What Is EVPL and How Does It Work?
EVPL uses VLAN tagging (IEEE 802.1Q) to create multiple virtual circuits over a single physical connection. Each virtual circuit maintains dedicated bandwidth, quality of service guarantees, and logical separation from other traffic—providing the security and performance of traditional circuits with greater flexibility.
Key Technical Characteristics
- Layer 2 Ethernet Transport - Carries Ethernet frames between sites
- VLAN-Based Segmentation - Each destination gets unique VLAN tag for traffic isolation
- Bandwidth Allocation - Committed Information Rate (CIR) guaranteed per virtual circuit
- Quality of Service (QoS) - Traffic prioritization for voice, video, and critical data
- Single Physical Interface - One fiber connection serves multiple virtual circuits
Common EVPL Use Cases
Multi-Site Enterprise Networks
Organizations with headquarters plus multiple branch offices use EVPL to create hub-and-spoke networks. Example: 5 branch offices each have a 100 Mbps EVPL circuit connecting back to headquarters hosting ERP systems, file servers, and VoIP infrastructure.
Hybrid Cloud Connectivity
Businesses running workloads across multiple cloud platforms use EVPL to maintain simultaneous private connections. Example: A single 1 Gbps EVPL circuit provides three virtual circuits—one to AWS (300 Mbps), one to Azure (300 Mbps), and one to on-premise datacenter (400 Mbps).
MSP Infrastructure
Managed service providers connect multiple client sites to centralized infrastructure. Each client gets a dedicated virtual circuit with guaranteed bandwidth and logical isolation from other clients.
EVPL vs. EPL Comparison
Use EVPL When:
- Connecting to 3+ destinations from single location
- Hub-and-spoke network topology needed
- Want ability to add/remove virtual circuits without new fiber construction
- Cost optimization is important (30-50% savings vs. multiple EPL circuits)
Use EPL When:
- Only connecting two locations (simple point-to-point)
- Need maximum bandwidth utilization on single circuit
- Ultra-low latency requirements (financial trading, real-time control)
- Simplest possible configuration preferred
Bandwidth Allocation & Quality of Service
Committed Information Rate (CIR)
Each EVPL virtual circuit includes a CIR—guaranteed minimum bandwidth available at all times. Unlike "up to" speeds on Internet connections, CIR represents bandwidth your applications can reliably depend on.
Traffic Prioritization
EVPL supports Class of Service (CoS) markings for traffic prioritization:
- Highest Priority - VoIP phone calls (low latency, minimal jitter)
- High Priority - Video conferencing, real-time collaboration
- Medium Priority - Business applications (ERP, databases)
- Best Effort - Email, web browsing, file transfers
Pricing & Installation
Cost Advantages
EVPL typically costs 30-50% less than equivalent EPL circuits when connecting to 3+ destinations due to shared infrastructure costs and single fiber installation.
Installation Timeline
- On-net buildings: 30-45 days for initial circuit
- Adding virtual circuits: 10-15 days (no new fiber needed)
- Near-net locations: 60-90 days if fiber extension required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EVPL secure?
Yes. Each virtual circuit is logically isolated using VLAN tags—traffic from your organization never mixes with other customers even when sharing physical carrier infrastructure.
How many virtual circuits can I have?
Technically up to 4,094 (VLAN limit), but practically limited by available bandwidth. Most deployments use 2-10 virtual circuits per physical EVPL connection.
Can EVPL connect to cloud platforms?
Yes. AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, and Google Cloud Interconnect all support EVPL connectivity, allowing private connections to multiple cloud providers using a single physical circuit.
Get Started with EVPL
Ready to explore EVPL connectivity for your multi-site deployment? Contact us for competitive quotes and network design assistance.
- Phone: 866.790.4678
- Contact Form
- Point-to-Point Overview - Learn about EPL and other connectivity options
- Colocation Services - Hub location for EVPL networks
