Frame Relay

Using Frame Relay as a connectivity possibility would be beneficial as a company. Frame relay is a synchronous HDLC protocol based network. The data is sent in HDLC packets, referred to as frames. It relies on the customer equipment to perform end to end error correction. Each switch inside a frame relay network just relays the data to the next switch. Because frame relay passes blocks of data from switch to switch without error correction, propagation from customer end to customer end through the network is very fast.

Frame Relay can be used for various types of connections. It should be seen as a flexible protocol that lies on the Data Level of the Connections between routers. It can currently be used effectively for carrying all sorts of data, up to speeds of about 4 megabits per second. Due to the implementation and cost of frame relay, it is most suitable for permanent or semi-permanent connections. It is not desirable as of yet to access frame relay on a dialup basis for economical purposes.

For a number of U.S. Internet clients, use of Frame Relay may allow for the connection of various remote sites using one technology. It is possible to connect the clients router to Frame Relay and access Internet Services over this circuit. At the same time, if the customer has other Frame Relay ports available in different locations, the same port may be used to connect to Wide Area offices the client has. This integrated approach can be attractive for both parties; from one Frame port, U.S. Internet can connect multiple customers. At the same time, the client can connect to multiple remote locations using the one port. Although there is a greater chance of connection then when dedicated lines are used, the economical advantage will in most cases compensate for this.

Frame relay is a technique used to transport data from locations to location, just like T-1 lines or ISDN connections do. In frame relay, there are a number of locations on the network that can send...