VRF Series Article 1 – Basic L3 Segmentation with VRFs
Network engineers are well aware of the Layer 2 isolation properties of VLANs. Their use is so pervasive that they are second nature to most. This article is the first in a series that outlines specifically how VRFs can be used to provide the same type of end to end isolation for Layer 3 that VLANs provide for Layer 2.
In this example, we will work with a subset of the overall topology that I previously shared. Specifically, we are going to configure a router that I’ll call BrWan, a Layer 2 switch, and 3

routers that I’m using to emulate connected hosts (data-x/pci-x).
BrWan will contain the technology configuration that is the primary focus of the article. The other components are configured somewhat generically and using technologies that most are very familiar with.
At the end of this exercise, the requirement is that anything related to “data” can only reach other parts of the “data” network. Similar requirements exist for “pci”. There will be no ACLs used to prevent communication between pci and data, but the isolation requirement is strict. These concepts will be carried forward throughout the series. Later examples will provide a mechanism for some traffic between Continue reading

is all available from the API.