MPLS Bootcamp – Zero-to-Hero

Master MPLS from scratch with hands-on labs: L3VPN, VRF, MP-BGP, PE-CE Routing, OSPF, EIGRP & Real-World SP Design

What you’ll learn
✓ Understand MPLS fundamentals, label switching concepts, and how MPLS forwarding differs from traditional IP routing.
✓ Build a complete MPLS lab environment using EVE-NG and Cisco virtual routers.
✓ Configure a BGP-free MPLS core using OSPF and unicast routing.
✓ Implement VRF configuration on Provider Edge (PE) routers for multiple customers.
✓ Configure and compare PE-CE routing protocols including RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, Static Routing, and BGP.
✓ Deploy MP-BGP (VPNv4) to exchange VPN routes between PE routers
✓ Understand and configure Route Reflectors in an MPLS L3VPN environment.

Requirements
● Basic understanding of IP routing (OSPF, BGP basics helpful but not mandatory)
● A PC or laptop capable of running EVE-NG (VMware or VirtualBox)
● Willingness to practice and follow hands-on labs

Description
This MPLS Bootcamp – Zero-to-Hero course is a complete, hands-on guide to understanding, configuring, and troubleshooting Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) in real-world service provider and enterprise environments.

The course is designed to take you from absolute MPLS fundamentals to advanced MPLS Layer-3 VPN (L3VPN) implementations, using practical labs built on EVE-NG with Cisco routers. Every concept is explained clearly and then implemented step by step, so you don’t just learn MPLS—you build it.

You will start by setting up your own MPLS lab environment, understanding how MPLS forwarding works, and why it is used instead of traditional IP routing. From there, you’ll configure a BGP-free MPLS core, implement OSPF in the provider network, and gradually move into VRF configuration, PE-CE routing protocols, and MP-BGP.

As the course progresses, you will work with multiple PE-CE routing options such as RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, Static Routing, and BGP, and understand when and why each is used in production networks. You’ll also gain deep insight into VPNv4 routing, route reflectors, MPLS VPN traffic flow, and advanced designs such as MPLS VPN Extranets.

This course is ideal for network engineers, service provider engineers, and certification aspirants who want a strong practical understanding of MPLS that can be applied directly in real-world networks or advanced studies.

By the end of this bootcamp, you will have the confidence to design, configure, verify, and troubleshoot MPLS L3VPN networks from scratch.

What Will Students Learn in This Course? (Learning Objectives)

By the end of this course, students will be able to

• Understand MPLS fundamentals, label switching concepts, and how MPLS forwarding differs from traditional IP routing

• Build a complete MPLS lab environment using EVE-NG and Cisco virtual routers

• Configure a BGP-free MPLS core using OSPF and unicast routing

• Implement VRF configuration on Provider Edge (PE) routers for multiple customers

• Configure and compare PE-CE routing protocols including RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, Static Routing, and BGP

• Deploy MP-BGP (VPNv4) to exchange VPN routes between PE routers

• Understand and configure Route Reflectors in an MPLS L3VPN environment

• Analyze MPLS VPN traffic flow and route propagation across the provider network

• Configure and verify MPLS VPN Extranets using route-maps and export policies

• Perform verification and troubleshooting of MPLS, VRF, MP-BGP, and VPN connectivity issues

Who this course is for
■ Network Engineers working with Service Provider or large enterprise networks
■ CCNP / CCIE aspirants looking to master MPLS concepts
■ Engineers who want hands-on MPLS L3VPN experience
■ Professionals transitioning into ISP or backbone network roles