For any person involved with designing or maintaining L2 VPNS "Layer 2 VPN Architectures" is a must. While I must admit that I use most of my books as reference, this book is an easy read for those persons who are trying to learn the various L2 VPNS options available. The book begins with a background of VPN architectures and follows with a background and overview of the different Layer 2 protocols. An in depth discussion of AtoM, Anything over MPLS, L2TPv3 and VPLS are presented to the reader.
The authors use case studies to fully explain the technology to the reader. Each case study builds on the other making for a very logical flow of each technology, including configuration examples and screen shots for a clearer explanation. The configuration examples and illustrations are numerous making this a great reference book as well as a learning tool.
Each of the three parts starts with a basic configuration and then slowly builds to a more complex example. As mentioned, the screen shots and the configuration snippets make it very easy to go from one case study to the next. The authors go to great links to explain all the command options and parameters. This assists the reader in obtaining a clearer understanding of the objective.
For the discussions on AToM and L2TPv3 the authors include the LAN and WAN protocols that can be transported over the two technologies. They give the reader an in-depth understanding of the command options available as well as why they should be used.
As a Cisco instructor this book has been very valuable in adding to the Service Provider oriented classes I teach. Anyone involved with MetroEthernet should read this book, as it will present all the technological options available. It will also help them in tuning their network. If you have aspirations on achieving a CCIE in the Service Provider space this book is a definite read for the Service Provider MES Written.
Overall I would rate this book a 5. I have a bookshelf full of Cisco Press books and this is one of the better ones I have.
