Question : Layer 2 VLAN extension throug WAN

Hello,

We have a WAN provided by a local teleco.  We have the need to extend a layer2 subnet across that.  They said no problem, they can do VLAN tagging.  

My question is, currently we only have a Nortel router serving this connection (it's 100MB ethernet).  It isn't capable of VLAN tagging.  So we'll need a layer 2 switch in front?  If so, what Cisco models would be capable of doing this?  Does it just need to support VLAN tagging? Anything else?

THanks
Shane

Answer : Layer 2 VLAN extension throug WAN

Just to clarify a couple of things, layer 2 is based on MAC addresses, not subnets so VLAN's are irrelevant. If it is a layer 3 subnet you are trying to extend, you may be better seeing if they can bridge the subnet across the WAN link rather than routing it.

For example, Internally we run a class B network based on 172.30.0.0. All of our subnets are issued with class C subnet masks so 172.30.1, 172.30.2, etc but we aggregate the routes as 172.30. This allows each of our regional offices (some connected by the Internet via VPN, others by the Telco who provided our IPVPN WAN , to each have a 172.30.x subnet as well so that we are all on one contiguous network under the same network ID. The two main offices have Cisco 6509 layer 3 switches that handle all of the VLAN's for each of those sites. Our external routers are Cisco 2691's.

HTH