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Configuring Frame Relay 317
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
.