Understanding 6PE & 6VPE in MPLS Networks

6PE (IPv6 Provider Edge) and 6VPE (IPv6 VPN Provider Edge) areMPLS-based solutionsthat allowIPv6 trafficto be carried over anMPLS IPv4 core networkwithout requiring the entire backbone to support IPv6.

????6PE (IPv6 over MPLS - No VPN)

Used forglobal IPv6 routingwithout VPN segmentation.

No need forVRFs (VPN Routing and Forwarding instances)because IPv6 prefixes arehandled natively.

????6VPE (IPv6 VPN over MPLS - Supports VPNs)

ExtendsMPLS L3VPNto supportIPv6 routing inside VPN instances.

UsesMP-BGP VPNv6to distribute IPv6 prefixes insideMPLS VPNs.

Why is the Answer TRUE?

✅No VRFs are required for 6PE:

6PEonly needs BGP labeled IPv6 routesin theglobal routing table.

IPv6 prefixes are carried usingMPLS labelswithout VPN segmentation.

✅VRFs are required for 6VPE, NOT for 6PE:

6VPE requires VPN instances (VRFs)forIPv6 L3VPNs, but6PE does not.

✅Real-World Application:

6PE is used in large ISP networkswhere IPv6 deployment is needed butwithout VPN separation.

6VPE is used for enterprise MPLS VPNs, allowing customers to haveisolated IPv6 routing tables.

✅Reference:Huawei HCIE-Datacom Guide – MPLS IPv6 Transition Technologies (6PE & 6VPE)