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Frame Relay was originally developed
as an extension of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). It
was designed to enable the circuit-switched technology
to be transported on a packet-switched network. The technology has
become a stand-alone and cost-effective means of creating a WAN. Frame
Relay switches create virtual circuits to connect remote LANs to a
WAN. The Frame Relay network exists between a LAN border device,
usually a router, and the carrier switch. The technology used by the carrier
to transport the data between the switches is not important to Frame
Relay.
The sophistication of the
technology requires a thorough understanding of the terms used to
describe how Frame Relay works. Without a firm understanding of
Frame Relay, it is difficult to troubleshoot its performance.
Frame Relay has become one of the
most extensively used WAN protocols. One reason for its popularity is
that it is inexpensive compared to leased lines. Another reason Frame
Relay is popular is that configuration of user equipment in a
Frame Relay network is very simple.
This module explains how to
configure Frame Relay on a Cisco router. Frame Relay connections
are created by configuring routers or other devices to communicate
with a Frame Relay switch. The Frame Relay switch is usually
configured by the service provider. This helps keep end-user
configuration tasks to a minimum.
Students completing this module should be able to:
- Identify the components of a
Frame Relay network
- Explain the scope and purpose of
Frame Relay
- Discuss the technology of Frame
Relay
- Compare point-to-point and
point-to-multipoint topologies
- Examine the topology of a Frame
Relay network
- Configure a Frame Relay
Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC)
- Create a Frame Relay Map on a
remote network
- Explain the issues of a
non-broadcast multi-access network
- Describe the need for
subinterfaces and how to configure them
- Verify and troubleshoot a Frame
Relay connection
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