Patton electronic 29XX manual Configuring Frame Relay, Line Configuration

Access Server Administrators’ Reference Guide C • Technical Reference

Configuring Frame Relay

Frame Relay is a high-speed datalink communications technology that is used in hundreds of networks throughout the world to connect LAN, SNA, Internet, and voice applications. Within the network, Frame Relay uses a simple form of packet switching that provides high throughput and reliability. (For more informa- tion, refer to the Frame-Relay MIB: 1315 Management Base for Frame Relay DTEs.)

The access server offers IP-in-Frame Relay, or RFC-1490 Multi-protocol encapsulation. Because the access server has a built-on router, the access server can route IP traffic to multiple locations over multiple virtual channels. Using a T1 or E1 WAN link the access server can function as a network-to-network interface (NNI) switch or as a user-to-network interface (UNI). Most applications will be as an UNI.

A Frame Relay network consists of endpoints (the access server), frame relay access equipment (bridges, rout- ers, hosts, frame relay access devices) and network devices (switches, network routers, T1/E1 multiplexers). The most popular application is to use the access server as a POP-in-a-box with a Frame Relay IP connection to the Internet backbone.

The most common configuration is setting up the access server as a DCE and connecting to a provider’s Frame switch via a T1/E1 line. In this application, the access server will establish a point-to-point link via one or more DLCI’s or virtual channels. Each DLCI is a pipe with an associated far-end IP address. You may then modify the access server’s routing table and enter routes to use the Frame Relay link as the next-hop.

A Frame Relay link is configured as follows:

•Configuring the WAN link for Frame Relay

•Selecting the correct Frame Link configuration parameters (LMI)

•Assigning an IP address to the DLCI.

•Assigning next-hop routes to the new DLCI.

Line Configuration

The first stage in setting up a Frame Relay WAN link is configuring a T1 or E1 line for Frame Relay service.

Note You can have some channels as a Frame Relay link on the same WAN link that you are also using for dial-up calls. Each channel that is set to Frame Relay will reduce the number of simultaneous calls. You also must arrange with your provider to allow both Frame Relay and cir-cuit-switched calls on the same WAN link. In this case, you do not need to set up the line configu- ration as it was already done when you installed the T1 for dial-up.

1.Click on T1/E1 Link under the Configuration Menu to display the T1/E1 Link Activity main window (see figure 102 on page 252).

2.Verify which port the T1/E1 cable is connected into on the access server—that port number corresponds to the Link: x (where x is the same number as the port number) portion of the T1/E1 Link Activity main window. Click on Configuration in the appropriate Link: x section (for example, if the T1/E1 cable was con- nected to port 2, you would click on Configuration in the Link: 2 section).

3.Click on Modify.

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