Layered approach to virtual private routing

A method of updating routing information related to a virtual private network in a communications network is provided. Routing information is exchanged between a site included in a virtual private network and forwarded to a provider equipment node coupled to a customer equipment node. The routing information is provided to a provider equipment node maintaining a route reflector that distributes the routing information to one or more provider equipment nodes respectively coupled to a customer equipment node that interfaces with a site of the virtual private network. A network operable to support at least one virtual private network having at least two sites and including a route reflector for distributing routing information updates to provider equipment nodes that include an external virtual private router supporting sites included in the virtual private network is provided. A node for the network is also provided.