Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring virtual private networks (VPNs) supported on a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) backbone network. In one embodiment, a method for remote monitoring of a VPN supported on an MPLS backbone network includes capturing traffic to and/or from the virtual private network (e.g.; via a network probe) and analyzing the captured traffic in accordance with one or more service objectives. In another embodiment, the present invention involves remotely simulating network conditions in a virtual private network, for example by sending test patterns to a shared customer edge router connected to the virtual private network, forwarding the test patterns, via the shared customer edge router, to the MPLS backbone network, and forwarding the test patterns over the MPLS backbone network to a discrete customer edge router associated with the virtual private network.