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Frame Relay Overview

Today's LANs and computing equipment have the potential to run at much higher speeds and transfer very large quantities of data. With the diversity and complexity of today's networks, management can be a mammoth task if you don't have the proper tools. Each environment is a unique combination of equipment from different vendors. Frame Relay, which is a relatively new wide area networking method, is gaining popularity. Like X.25, it uses a packet-switching technology, but it's more efficient than X.25. As a result, it can make your networking quicker, simpler, and less costly.

Frame Relay was developed to solve communication problems that other protocols could not: the increased need for higher speeds, an increased need for large bandwidth efficiency, particularly for clumping ("bursty" traffic), an increase in intelligent network devices that lower protocol processing, and the need to connect LANs and WANs.

Like X.25, Frame Relay is a packet-switched protocol. But the Frame Relay process is streamlined. There are significant differences that make Frame Relay a faster, more efficient form of networking. A Frame Relay network doesn't perform error detection, which results in a considerably smaller amount of overhead and faster processing than X.25. Frame Relay is also protocol independent—it accepts data from many different protocols. This data is encapsulated by the Frame Relay equipment, not the network.

The intelligent network devices connected to a Frame Relay network are responsible for the error correction and frame formatting. Processing time is minimized, so the transmission of data is much faster and more efficient.

In addition, Frame Relay is entirely digital, which reduces the chance of error and offers excellent transmission rates. Frame Relay typically operates at 56 kbps to 1.544 Mbps.

What does Frame Relay do?
Frame Relay sends information in packets called frames through a shared Frame Relay network. Each frame contains all the information necessary to route it to the correct destination. So in effect, each endpoint can communicate with many destinations over one access link to the network. And instead of being allocated a fixed amount of bandwidth, Frame Relay services offer a CIR (Committed Information Rate) at which data is transmitted. But if traffic and your service agreement allow, data can burst above your committed rate.

Why choose Frame Relay?
Because Frame Relay has a low overhead, it's a perfect fit for today's complex networks. You get several clear benefits: First, multiple logical connections can be sent over a single physical connection, reducing your internetworking costs. By reducing the amount of processing required, you get improved performance and response time. Because Frame Relay uses a simple link layer protocol, your equipment usually requires only software changes or simple hardware modifications, so you don't have to invest a lot of money to upgrade your system.

Frame Relay is protocol independent, it can process traffic from different networking protocols like IP, IPX™, and SNA.

Frame Relay is an ideal choice for connecting Wide Area Networks (WANs) that have unpredictable, high-volume, and bursty traffic. Typically, these applications include data transfer, CAD/CAM, and client-server applications.

Frame Relay also offers advantages for interconnecting WANs. In the past, setting up WANs required the use of private lines or circuit switching over a leased line. Single, dedicated lines are not needed to make each WAN-to-WAN connection with Frame Relay, reducing costs.

What do I need to get started?
First, you need a Frame Relay Bearer Service (FRBS), which is offered by the local telephone company. You'll sign up for a Committed Information Rate (CIR), which might be 64 kbps. That means you're guaranteed the data will go through your PVC at this rate. But depending on network traffic and what type of line you have, such as a fractional T1 line capable of 128 kbps, you may actually get higher transmission rates, thanks to two-second bursts of speed across the network. At peak times when there is a lot of congestion, you may only transmit at 64 kbps.

Next, you need Frame Relay equipment. Because Frame Relay doesn't provide protocol conversion and error detection/correction, the end-user devices need to be intelligent. Typically you can access the Frame Relay service through Frame Relay devices, such as Frame Relay Access Devices (FRADs), frame routers, bridges, or switches.

Frame Routers.
Frame routers translate existing datacommunications protocols for transmission over a Frame Relay network, then route the data across the network to another frame router or other Frame Relay compatible device. Frame routers can handle many types of protocols, including LAN protocols. They're used in environments that require T1 or slower network access speeds. Each router supports one of many physical data interfaces and can provide several user ports.

Bridges, Routers, and FRADs.
You can also use bridges, routers, or FRADs (Frame Relay Access Devices). These devices aggregate and convert data into Frame Relay packets.

Bridges are easy to configure and maintain and they usually connect a branch office to a hub location.

Routers can handle traffic from other WAN protocols, reroute a connection if a line fails, or provide support for flow control and congestion control.

FRADs format outgoing data into the format required by a Frame Relay network, and some even function as routers. They work well in applications where a site already has bridges and routers or when sending mainframe traffic over a Frame Relay network.

 

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