Understanding Frame RelayUnderstanding Frame Relay

Frame Relay Presentation by Jeff K. Esquibel

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Frame Relay BenefitsFrame Relay Benefits Frame Relay ComponentsFrame Relay Components Understanding Frame Relay ServicesUnderstanding Frame Relay Services Competing TechnologiesCompeting Technologies Frame Relay’s Market Success Frame Relay’s Market Success Future CompetitionFuture Competition Frame Relay Vs. ATMFrame Relay Vs. ATM Frame Relay Vs. IPFrame Relay Vs. IP Co-ExistenceCo-Existence Frame Relay’s Continued SuccessFrame Relay’s Continued Success

Benefits of Frame RelayBenefits of Frame Relay

Savings over Private LinesSavings over Private Lines

– Reduces number of dedicated devices which Reduces number of dedicated devices which reduces equipment costsreduces equipment costs

– Reduces complexity for network managers Reduces complexity for network managers Greater Bandwidth Flexibility than Private LinesGreater Bandwidth Flexibility than Private Lines Higher Reliability and Resiliency than Private LinesHigher Reliability and Resiliency than Private Lines Lower Cost of Ownership and Better Bandwidth Lower Cost of Ownership and Better Bandwidth

UtilizationUtilization

– Growth of Branch Office NetworksGrowth of Branch Office Networks

Benefits of Frame Relay (cont’d)Benefits of Frame Relay (cont’d)

Consolidation of LAN, SNA, On-net Voice, Consolidation of LAN, SNA, On-net Voice, and/or Packetized Videoand/or Packetized Video

– Simplifies Network ArchitectureSimplifies Network Architecture– Reduces Operations and Administrative CostsReduces Operations and Administrative Costs– Improves Application Performance and Improves Application Performance and

Network EfficiencyNetwork Efficiency Smooth migration to ATMSmooth migration to ATM

– Service and Network Interworking with ATM (FRF.5 and FRF.8)Service and Network Interworking with ATM (FRF.5 and FRF.8)

Frame Relay Basics: Terms And DefinitionsFrame Relay Basics: Terms And Definitions User to Network Interface (UNI)User to Network Interface (UNI)

– Specifies signaling and management functions between a frame Specifies signaling and management functions between a frame relay network device and the end user’s devicerelay network device and the end user’s device

Network to Network Interface (NNI)Network to Network Interface (NNI)– Specifies signaling and management functions between two frame Specifies signaling and management functions between two frame

relay networksrelay networks

Virtual Circuit (VC)Virtual Circuit (VC)– The connection between two frame relay portsThe connection between two frame relay ports

Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC)Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC)– A pre-defined VCA pre-defined VC

Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC)Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC)– A VC that is established dynamicallyA VC that is established dynamically

Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI)Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI)– Virtual Circuit Identification NumberVirtual Circuit Identification Number

Differences between PVCs And SVCsDifferences between PVCs And SVCs

PVCsPVCs– Staticly Defined at Staticly Defined at

Configuration, Configuration, Unless PVC Unless PVC Parameters Need to Parameters Need to be Modifiedbe Modified

– Connection is Connection is Always Configured Always Configured Whether There is Whether There is Information to Send Information to Send or Notor Not

SVCsSVCs– Dynamically Dynamically

Established When Established When There is Information There is Information to Send (Call-by-Call to Send (Call-by-Call Basis)Basis)

– Connection is Connection is Released When Released When There is No More There is No More Information to SendInformation to Send

Benefits Of SVCsBenefits Of SVCs

Simplified Network Design, Particularly for Simplified Network Design, Particularly for Large and Highly Meshed NetworksLarge and Highly Meshed Networks

– Scalable Network DesignScalable Network Design

– Provisioning N*(N-1)/2 Connections Not Provisioning N*(N-1)/2 Connections Not RequiredRequired

Easier to Maintain and ManageEasier to Maintain and Manage Supports Any-to-AnySupports Any-to-Any

ConnectivityConnectivity

Benefits Of SVCsBenefits Of SVCs

Can Offer a More Cost-Effective SolutionCan Offer a More Cost-Effective Solution

– Pay Based on Usage: Call Length, Bandwidth Pay Based on Usage: Call Length, Bandwidth Used, Number of Frames Sent, Etc.Used, Number of Frames Sent, Etc.

– Only Pay When Using the NetworkOnly Pay When Using the Network Offers a Migration Path to PVCsOffers a Migration Path to PVCs

– Locations Already Have ConnectionsLocations Already Have Connectionsto the Frame Relay Networkto the Frame Relay Network

– Can Easily Transition to PVCs as Traffic Can Easily Transition to PVCs as Traffic Volumes IncreaseVolumes Increase

How Does Frame Relay Work?How Does Frame Relay Work?

Frame Relay Structure

Frame Relay Terms And Definitions (cont’d)Frame Relay Terms And Definitions (cont’d)

Committed Information Rate (CIR)Committed Information Rate (CIR)– The bandwidth defined for a VCThe bandwidth defined for a VC

Bc = Committed BurstBc = Committed Burst– Maximum number of committed bits to be transmitted over Maximum number of committed bits to be transmitted over

time intervaltime interval

Be = Excess BurstBe = Excess Burst– Number of Excess bits that will be transmitted over timeNumber of Excess bits that will be transmitted over time

Tc Time intervalTc Time interval– Time measurement based how much bandwidth is available Time measurement based how much bandwidth is available

for data to burst on to the networkfor data to burst on to the network

Frame Relay Terms And Definitions (cont’d)Frame Relay Terms And Definitions (cont’d)

FECN Forward Explicit Congestion NotificationFECN Forward Explicit Congestion Notification– Bit set by the network node (FR Switch) that is experiencing Bit set by the network node (FR Switch) that is experiencing

congestioncongestion– Sent in the direction of the receiver (destination)Sent in the direction of the receiver (destination)

BECN Backward Explicit Congestion NotificationBECN Backward Explicit Congestion Notification– Bit set by the network node that is experiencing congestionBit set by the network node that is experiencing congestion– Sent in the direction of the sender (source)Sent in the direction of the sender (source)

DE Discard Eligible bitDE Discard Eligible bit– Set by either the DTE (access device FRAD, router etc.) or the Set by either the DTE (access device FRAD, router etc.) or the

network nodes (switches)network nodes (switches)– May be set selectively by some DTE devicesMay be set selectively by some DTE devices– May be set by network nodes in the event the user has exceeded CIR May be set by network nodes in the event the user has exceeded CIR

and the network is experiencing congestionand the network is experiencing congestion

Frame Relay ComponentsFrame Relay Components

Frame RelayNetwork

Frame RelayNetwork

UNI

DTEDCE

PVC

SVC

NNI

DTEDCE

DCE

DTE

DCE

Service ComparisonService Comparison

Engineer Network for Peak Engineer Network for Peak

Traffic NeedsTraffic Needs

CSU/DSU per Leased Line per CSU/DSU per Leased Line per

remote siteremote site

Time Division MultiplexingTime Division Multiplexing

Resiliency is Not InherentResiliency is Not Inherent

Engineer Network for Average Engineer Network for Average

Traffic NeedsTraffic Needs

CSU/DSU per Leased Line that can CSU/DSU per Leased Line that can

access many remote sitesaccess many remote sites

Statistical Multiplexing and Burst Statistical Multiplexing and Burst

CapabilityCapability

Resiliency is Inherent in NetworkResiliency is Inherent in Network

Private Lines (TDM)Private Lines (TDM) Frame RelayFrame Relay

Networking for the New Millennium

Frame Relay

Frame Relay’s Market Success - U.S.Frame Relay’s Market Success - U.S.

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

$6,000

$7,000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Private LineX.25SMDSFrameATM

(in

$M

s)

$9.6B $10.4B $10.9B $11.3B $11.8BPL Revs:

Source: Vertical Systems Group - 1997Source: Vertical Systems Group - 1997

Frame Relay’s Market Success Frame Relay’s Market Success InternationalInternational

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

$6,000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Private LineX.25SMDSFrameATM

(in

$M

s)

$10.3B $12.2B $12.6B $13.1B $13.5BPL Revs:

Source: Vertical Systems Group - 1997Source: Vertical Systems Group - 1997

Market Forecast by WAN TechnologyMarket Forecast by WAN Technology

Network Service MarketWorldwide 1997 and 2000

Estimates

Leased Lines

Sources: Vertical Systems Group 1997 and Data Comm 1998 Forecast

Frame Relay

ATM

X.25

SMDS

$3.9B

$.128B $.167B$.242B

$1.6B

$2.7B $2.6B

$6.8B

$22.6B$27.7B

Frame Relay Complements Other TechnologiesFrame Relay Complements Other Technologies

LANLANLAN & SNALAN & SNAData & On-net VoiceData & On-net VoiceData, On-net VoiceData, On-net Voice& Packetized Video& Packetized Video

ApplicationApplication TechnologyTechnology

FR, SMDS, ATMFR, SMDS, ATMFR, ATMFR, ATMFR, ATMFR, ATMFR, ATMFR, ATM

< 1.5 Mbps< 1.5 Mbps

1.5 - 45 Mbps1.5 - 45 Mbps

>45 Mbps>45 Mbps

SpeedsSpeeds TechnologyTechnology

FRFR

FR, ATMFR, ATM

ATMATM

FR - ATMFR - ATM

FR - SMDSFR - SMDS

InterworkingInterworking AgreementAgreementFR orFR orATMATM

FR orFR orATMATM

DedicatedDedicatedor Dial FRor Dial FR

Dial Remote AccessDial Remote Access oror

Dial FRDial FR

HQHQ

RegionalRegionalSitesSites

Remote SitesRemote Sites

Mobile Workers & Mobile Workers & TelecommutersTelecommuters

FRF.5 and FRF.8FRF.5 and FRF.8

SIPSIP

Technology ComparisonTechnology Comparison

Private Line X.25 SMDS

Frame Relay ATM IP

Speed 56K - 622M 9.6K -2.048M

56K - 34M Dial -45M

1.5M - 622M Dial - 45M

Traffic Type Data/Voice/Video

Data Data Data/On NetVoice and

Video

Data/Voice/Video

Data

ConnectionOriented

Yes Yes No Yes Yes No

TypicalTopology

Star/Multi-point/Multi-

Drop

Star Any-to-Any

Mesh/PartialMesh/Star

Mesh/PartialMesh/Star

Any-to-Any

QoS Support No No No Proprietary Yes No

Private Line X.25 SMDS

Frame Relay ATM IP

Speed 56K - 622M 9.6K -2.048M

56K - 34M Dial -45M

1.5M - 622M Dial - 45M

Traffic Type Data/Voice/Video

Data Data Data/On NetVoice and

Video

Data/Voice/Video

Data

ConnectionOriented

Yes Yes No Yes Yes No

TypicalTopology

Star/Multi-point/Multi-

Drop

Star Any-to-Any

Mesh/PartialMesh/Star

Mesh/PartialMesh/Star

Any-to-Any

QoS Support No No No Proprietary Yes No

The Competitive Road AheadThe Competitive Road Ahead

ATM / Frame Relay Battle Joined By IPATM / Frame Relay Battle Joined By IP– Deployment of VPDNs (i.e. Intra/Extranets) Power IP Deployment of VPDNs (i.e. Intra/Extranets) Power IP

adoption for Businessesadoption for Businesses

Majority of End Users Migrating Private Line Majority of End Users Migrating Private Line Networks Will Look to Frame Relay and IPNetworks Will Look to Frame Relay and IP– Legacy Applications Demanding Frame Relay Performance; Legacy Applications Demanding Frame Relay Performance;

New Applications a Result of IP Features and BenefitsNew Applications a Result of IP Features and Benefits

Frame Relay at the Edge, ATM at the CoreFrame Relay at the Edge, ATM at the Core Frame Relay Transport for IP ServicesFrame Relay Transport for IP Services

High Speed IP EnvironmentsHigh Speed IP Environments

Solutions/Technologies Outside Frame Relays’ Solutions/Technologies Outside Frame Relays’ Intended Scope are Servicing the Very High Intended Scope are Servicing the Very High Speed IP Environments and Campus Speed IP Environments and Campus BackboneBackbone

– IP Over SONET Offers Users a Simple and IP Over SONET Offers Users a Simple and Efficient High Speed Transport Option for IP at Efficient High Speed Transport Option for IP at OC-3 and Greater SpeedsOC-3 and Greater Speeds

– Gigabit Ethernet Delivers the Mass Bandwidth Gigabit Ethernet Delivers the Mass Bandwidth Many Campus Backbones Operating in a Pure Many Campus Backbones Operating in a Pure Data Environment RequireData Environment Require

Co-ExistenceCo-Existence

Frame Relay

ATM

IPVPN’s, Intranet,

Extranet, etc.

Even as Buying Decisions Move Away from Underlying Even as Buying Decisions Move Away from Underlying Connectivity, Frame Relay will Continue to Play a Connectivity, Frame Relay will Continue to Play a Major Role In Service DeliveryMajor Role In Service Delivery

SummarySummary Frame Relay is Widely Accepted and Deployed, Building Frame Relay is Widely Accepted and Deployed, Building

Upon its Own Momentum Upon its Own Momentum Frame Relay’s Longevity and Visibility as a Technology is Frame Relay’s Longevity and Visibility as a Technology is

Fostered by its Ability to Co-exist and Complement Fostered by its Ability to Co-exist and Complement Legacy as well as Emerging Technologies Legacy as well as Emerging Technologies

Standards Continue to Evolve to Meet Changing End User Standards Continue to Evolve to Meet Changing End User Environments and RequirementsEnvironments and Requirements

Frame Relay Will Continue to Play an Integral Part in Frame Relay Will Continue to Play an Integral Part in Layer 2 ConnectivityLayer 2 Connectivity

Accelerated Growth in Frame Relay Implementations is Accelerated Growth in Frame Relay Implementations is Expected to ContinueExpected to Continue

Market Maturity of ATM and IP Still Years AwayMarket Maturity of ATM and IP Still Years Away

Frame Relay Reference MaterialFrame Relay Reference Material Frame Relay Forum Web page www.frforum.comFrame Relay Forum Web page www.frforum.com Data Communications Magazine www.datacomm.comData Communications Magazine www.datacomm.com Network World www.nwfusion.comNetwork World www.nwfusion.com Internet Week (formerly CommWeek) Internet Week (formerly CommWeek)

www.internetwk.comwww.internetwk.com Black, Uyless. Black, Uyless. Frame Relay Networks: Specifications and Frame Relay Networks: Specifications and

ImplementationsImplementations. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996. Smith, Philip. Smith, Philip. Frame Relay: Principles and ApplicationsFrame Relay: Principles and Applications

Wokingham, England: Addison-Wesley, 1995.Wokingham, England: Addison-Wesley, 1995.

Questions?Questions?

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