MPLS L3VPN Lab – BGP Path Selection with Route Policies (GNS3)

MPLS L3VPN Lab – BGP Path Selection with Route Policies (GNS3)

Learn how Service Providers control routing decisions inside an MPLS L3VPN network using BGP Route Policies and Local Preference.

In this lab, a dual-homed customer advertises the same prefix to two different Provider Edge routers.

The Service Provider network receives multiple VPNv4 BGP paths for the same destination.

You will analyze the BGP best-path selection process and implement a route policy to modify the Local Preference attribute, forcing the network to prefer a specific PE router.

This lab is designed for engineers preparing for CCNP SPCOR or working in Service Provider environments.

What You Will Build

• MPLS Core (OSPF + LDP)
• MP-BGP vpnv4 with Route Reflectors
• Dual-homed customer topology
• Multiple BGP paths for the same VPN prefix
• BGP best-path analysis
• Route-policy configuration (IOS XR)
• Local Preference manipulation for path control
• Preferred path selection across the MPLS backbone
• End-to-end customer connectivity validation

What Is Included

• Student Guide (step-by-step tasks)
• Full Solution Guide
• Pre-built GNS3 base project (core preconfigured)
• Topology diagram
• Connectivity verification examples

What You Will Configure

• BGP route-policy using IOS XR
• Local Preference modification
• BGP best-path analysis
• Policy application on PE router
• Routing validation across the MPLS backbone
• Customer connectivity verification

Platform Requirements

GNS3 2.x or later

Cisco IOS XRv (6.x or later)

Cisco IOSv / IOS XE

⚠ Cisco images are NOT included and must be obtained legally.

Estimated Completion Time

Intermediate: 3–5 hours

Advanced: 2–3 hours

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

(Service Provider Focus)

Designed For

Network engineers preparing for:

CCNP Service Provider (SPCOR)

Engineers learning BGP traffic engineering techniques in MPLS networks

Professionals working with Service Provider routing policies

File Download

You will receive a RAR file (~71MB) containing:

• Student Guide
• Solution Guide
• GNS3 project file
• Topology diagram
• All required lab materials