Nokia VPLS study plan
Nokia VPLS · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
VPLS fundamentals and architecture
Define VPLS and explain how it emulates a Layer 2 broadcast domain across an MPLS network
Compare VPLS with VPWS, IP-VPN, and traditional LAN switching in terms of forwarding and scaling
Identify the roles of PE, CE, VSI, SAP, SDP, and pseudowire in a VPLS architecture
Describe the control-plane options for VPLS: BGP auto-discovery with labeled signaling vs. static configuration
Your checkpoint
Create a one-page diagram of a multi-site VPLS topology, labeling each component and the control-plane protocol used, and write a 200-word summary of the forwarding path from CE to CE.
VPLS fundamentals and architecture & VPLS pseudowires, SAPs and SDPs
Explain how MAC learning and forwarding work in a VPLS VSI, including unknown unicast flooding and split-horizon
Describe the encapsulation stack for a VPLS service: access SAP encapsulation, service VC label, transport label, and outer MPLS label
Differentiate between a spoke SDP and a mesh SDP and their default split-horizon behavior
Configure a basic VPLS service on Nokia SR OS with a SAP and a mesh SDP, using CLI
Your checkpoint
Produce a working CLI configuration for a two-site VPLS service using BGP auto-discovery and a mesh SDP, and verify MAC learning with show commands.
VPLS service configuration and provisioning & VPLS pseudowires, SAPs and SDPs
Configure a VPLS service with multiple SAPs on a single PE, including default SAP and null encapsulation
Configure and verify BGP-based VPLS auto-discovery, including route targets and VPLS ID
Explain the role of SDPs in VPLS and configure an SDP with LDP signaling
Provision a VPLS service with a mix of spoke and mesh SDPs to control traffic flow
Your checkpoint
Build a lab with three PEs and one CE per PE, configure a full-mesh VPLS using BGP auto-discovery, and capture the BGP VPLS NLRIs exchanged.
VPLS service configuration and provisioning & VPLS resiliency and redundancy
Configure a redundant VPLS service using active/standby pseudowires and explain the election process
Describe the use of MC-LAG or MC-APS for CE multi-homing in a VPLS environment
Explain how BGP path selection and route targets influence VPLS pseudowire establishment
Configure and verify a redundant spoke SDP with a backup SDP
Your checkpoint
Demonstrate a failover scenario where the primary spoke SDP fails and traffic switches to the backup SDP, with show output confirming the active pseudowire.
VPLS resiliency and redundancy
Compare VPLS resiliency mechanisms: pseudowire redundancy, MC-LAG, and BGP multi-homing
Configure and verify a VPLS service with a redundant mesh SDP and failover between PEs
Explain how BFD can be used to speed up failure detection for VPLS pseudowires
Describe the impact of split-horizon on loop prevention and how it interacts with redundant paths
Your checkpoint
Create a test plan for VPLS resiliency and execute it in a lab, documenting failover times and the behavior of MAC learning during failover.
VPLS operations, verification and troubleshooting
Use Nokia SR OS show commands to verify VPLS service status, SAP status, SDP status, and MAC learning
Interpret output from tools like show service id, show service sdp, and show service fdb
Diagnose common VPLS issues: SAP down, SDP down, MTU mismatch, and missing BGP routes
Use debug commands such as debug service and debug router bgp to trace VPLS signaling
Your checkpoint
Create a troubleshooting cheat sheet with at least 10 show/debug commands, their purpose, and sample output interpretation.
VPLS operations, verification and troubleshooting & VPLS fundamentals and architecture
Trace a packet through a VPLS network using mirroring or debug, identifying the label stack at each hop
Analyze a packet capture to confirm VPLS encapsulation and MAC learning
Review VPLS scaling limits and best practices for large deployments
Explain the role of VPLS in a service provider network and its interaction with other services
Your checkpoint
Perform a packet capture on a VPLS service, annotate the encapsulation, and present a 5-minute walkthrough of the forwarding process.
VPLS fundamentals and architecture & VPLS service configuration and provisioning & VPLS pseudowires, SAPs and SDPs & VPLS resiliency and redundancy & VPLS operations, verification and troubleshooting
Complete a full practice exam covering all domains under timed conditions
Review weak areas identified by the practice exam and revisit relevant configuration or verification steps
Summarize key configuration templates for common VPLS scenarios
Re-verify all lab configurations and ensure they match exam objectives
Your checkpoint
Score at least 80% on a comprehensive practice exam and produce a personal list of 10 key takeaways for exam day.
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain the VPLS data plane and control plane without notes and configure a basic VPLS service.
Week 4: Can configure and verify a redundant VPLS service with active/standby pseudowires and explain the failover process.
Week 6: Can troubleshoot a broken VPLS service using show and debug commands, identifying the root cause within 15 minutes.
Week 8: Achieve a passing score on a timed practice exam and demonstrate confidence in all domains.