# The Tale of Two EVPN/MPLS Encapsulations

DevFeed: [The Tale of Two EVPN/MPLS Encapsulations](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/the-tale-of-two-evpn-mpls-encapsulations-11353.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2026/03/tale-two-evpn-mpls-encapsulations/>)

Published: 2026-03-04T07:09:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

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

Topics: [evpn](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/evpn.md>), [Testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/testing.md>), [BGP](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/bgp.md>), [Cisco](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cisco.md>), [Ethernet](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ethernet.md>)

Tags: [bgp](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bgp.md>), [cisco](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cisco.md>), [deep-dive](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/deep-dive.md>), [ethernet](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ethernet.md>), [evpn](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/evpn.md>), [mpls](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mpls.md>), [test](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/test.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>)

## AI overview

A technical investigation of EVPN/MPLS netlab integration tests compares Arista EOS and Cisco IOS/XE encapsulations. Arista EOS passes the bridging test, while Cisco IOS/XE establishes the control plane but encounters ARP failures that packet captures trace to differing MPLS payload handling and control-word expectations.

## Source excerpt

I decided it was high time to create EVPN/MPLS netlab integration tests and wanted to use the same approach I used for the EVPN/VXLAN ones: One of the PE-devices is the device we want to test The other PE-device is a device that is known to work (ideally, an FRRouting container). Bonus points if the other PE-device can generate operational data in JSON format. Using a device for which we already have a validation plugin is close to perfection. Add a P-router in the middle because MPLS. Attach some hosts to the two PE-devices (we're testing two MAC-VRFs in the final version of the test) After validating everything that can reasonably be validated (OSPF session, IBGP session, EVPN AF on IBGP session), do the end-to-end pings and hope for the best. This is the graph netlab created from the lab topology: Read more ...