# On MPLS Paths, Tunnels and Interfaces

DevFeed: [On MPLS Paths, Tunnels and Interfaces](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/on-mpls-paths-tunnels-and-interfaces-11312.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2026/01/mpls-paths-tunnels-interfaces/>)

Published: 2026-01-20T06:29:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [ipSpace.net blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ipspace-net-blog.md>)

Topics: [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [MPLS-TE](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/mpls-te.md>), [Routing (disambiguation)](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/routing.md>), [IP routing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ip-routing.md>), [Protocol (disambiguation)](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/protocol.md>), [VXLAN](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/vxlan.md>)

Tags: [gre](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gre.md>), [ip-routing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ip-routing.md>), [mpls](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mpls.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [networking-fundamentals](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/networking-fundamentals.md>), [protocol](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/protocol.md>), [routing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/routing.md>), [vxlan](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/vxlan.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains the fundamental difference between overlay tunnels such as GRE, IPsec, and VXLAN and MPLS paths. Tunnels connect separate overlay segments across an underlay, while MPLS paths improve forwarding within the same network; routing protocols are used differently in these designs.

## Source excerpt

One of my readers attempted to implement a multi-vendor multicast VPN over MPLS but failed. As a good network engineer, he tried various duct tapes but found that the only working one was a GRE tunnel within a VRF, resulting in considerable frustration. In his own words: How is a GRE tunnel different compared to an MPLS LSP? I feel like conceptually, they kind of do the same thing. They just tunnel traffic by wrapping it with another header (one being IP/GRE, the other being MPLS). Instead of going down the "how many angels are dancing on this pin" rabbit hole (also known as "Is MPLS tunneling?"), let's focus on the fundamental differences between GRE/IPsec/VXLAN tunnels and MPLS paths. Read more ...