Patton electronic 3120 - Manual (Page 322)

C • Technical Reference Model 3120 RAS Administrators’ Reference Guide
322 Configuring Frame Relay
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 configuration 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 104 on page 262).
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 .