Frame Relay
What is Frame Relay?
Frame Relay is a high-performance WAN protocol that operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer
2) of the OSI model. It is designed to provide cost-efficient data transmission for intermittent
traffic between LANs and WANs.
Key Features
Connection-oriented service: Uses virtual circuits (VCs) for communication.
Efficiency: Reduces overhead by using simplified error-checking mechanisms.
Cost-effective: Shares bandwidth across multiple users.
Flexibility: Supports multiple logical connections over a single physical line.
Components of Frame Relay
1. DTE (Data Terminal Equipment):
o End-user devices such as routers or computers.
o Generates and terminates data traffic.
2. DCE (Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment):
o Devices provided by the service provider, such as Frame Relay switches.
o Responsible for transmitting data and providing clocking signals.
Virtual Circuits (VCs)
1. Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC):
o Pre-configured connections established by the provider.
o Always available for use.
2. Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC):
o Dynamically established and terminated as needed.
o Less common in modern implementations.
Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI)
Definition: DLCI is a unique number that identifies a virtual circuit in Frame Relay.
Characteristics:
o Locally significant to the router.
o Typically a 10-bit value (e.g., 101, 102).
o Assigned by the service provider.
Usage: DLCIs map logical connections to physical interfaces.
Local Management Interface (LMI)
Definition: LMI is a signaling protocol used for communication between DTE (router)
and DCE (Frame Relay switch).
Functions:
o Provides keepalive messages to ensure connection health.
o Updates the status of virtual circuits (active, inactive, deleted).
Types of LMI Standards:
o Cisco Proprietary.
o ANSI
Configuration:
Router(config-if)# frame-relay lmi-type {cisco | ansi | q933a}
Frame Relay Operation
1. Encapsulation:
o Data is encapsulated in Frame Relay frames for transmission.
2. Addressing:
o DLCI numbers identify the path for data frames.
3. Transmission:
o Frames are sent over PVCs or SVCs to their destination.
Advantages
Supports heavy traffic efficiently.
Scalable for adding new connections.
Reduces cost by sharing bandwidth.
Simple error recovery mechanism.
Disadvantages
No inherent error correction;
Not suitable for high-delay or real-time applications.
Obsolete compared to modern technologies like MPLS and SD-WAN.
Commands for Configuration and Troubleshooting
1. Basic Configuration:
2. Router(config)# interface serial 0/0
3. Router(config-if)# encapsulation frame-relay
Router(config-if)# frame-relay interface-dlci 101
4. Check DLCI Mapping:
Router# show frame-relay map
Use Cases
Connecting multiple branch offices to a central hub.
Providing cost-efficient WAN services for intermittent traffic.
Frame Relay Lab Setup
config in router 0
Router(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#encapsulation frame-relay
Router(config-if)#frame-relay lmi-type cisco
Router(config-if)#frame-relay interface-dlci 101
Router(config-if)#frame-relay interface-dlci 102
config in router 1
Router(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#encapsulation frame-relay
Router(config-if)#frame-relay lmi-type cisco
Router(config-if)#frame-relay interface-dlci 201
Router(config-if)#frame-relay interface-dlci 202
config in router 2
Router(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.3 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#encapsulation frame-relay
Router(config-if)#frame-relay lmi-type cisco
Router(config-if)#frame-relay interface-dlci 301
Router(config-if)#frame-relay interface-dlci 302
Configuration in frame relay
1. Add DLCI numbers to different serial ports
2. Link the connection as following
