L2 Transport: Dedicated Layer 2 Links Between Data Centers

L2 transport provides an Ethernet connection between two handoff points. It connects your networks within a city or between data centre regions. Bandwidth, availability and handoff rules depend on the particular proposal.

Layer 2 vs. Layer 3

Layer 3 connects IP networks through routing; Layer 2 carries Ethernet frames between handoffs. Both can form part of a dedicated connection. Latency and committed bandwidth depend on the path, capacity and contract, not on the layer alone. For L2, check which VLAN tags, frame sizes and control protocols the service supports.

Typical use cases

• Site connectivity: connect your own routers or VLANs between two handoff points.
• Disaster recovery: transfer data to a second site; replication mode and the available time window determine requirements.
• Storage replication: match bandwidth and latency to the storage system's requirements.
• Clusters: check quorum, failure behaviour and network separation before implementing a multi-site setup.

The technology behind it

Ethernet transport can use different optical or packet-switched infrastructures. The term L2 does not specify a particular implementation. Agree VLAN handling, usable MTU, optics and port speed at both ends. Jumbo frames need support across the entire path; a larger MTU does not automatically improve the application.

Conclusion

An enquiry needs precise locations A and B, bandwidth, VLAN requirements, MTU and the required failure protection. Also check whether the application actually needs a shared Layer 2 connection or whether routed IP reachability is sufficient.