Text Removed - -] Configuring DS3s CHAPTER 23 Frame Relay Frame Relay is a method of transporting digital information over a network. The data is formatted into frames, which are sent over a network of devices usually under the control of a telecommunications company. Diagrams depicting Frame Relay networks often display the network as a cloud, as the end user doesn't generally know (or care) how the network is actually designed. The end user only needs to know that virtual circuits (VCs) through the cloud will allow the delivery of frames to other endpoints in the cloud. Whatever goes into one end of the VC should come out the other end. The far end appears as though it is on the other end of a physical cable, though in reality, the remote end is typically many hops away. The VCs may be either switched or permanent. A Frame Relay permanent virtual circuit (PVC) is always up, even if it's not in use. A switched virtual circuit (SVC) is up only when it's needed. Most data networking deployments use PVCs. Figure 23-1 shows a typical simple Frame Relay network using PVCs. Router A is con- nected to Router B with a PVC. Router A is also connected to Router C with a PVC. Router B and Router C are not connected to each other. The two PVCs terminate into a single interface on Router A. Physically, each router is connected only to one of the provider's telecom switches. These switches are the entry and exit points into and out of the cloud. Router A is connected with a DS3, while Routers B and C are connected to the cloud with T1s. Logically, Frame Relay creates the illusion that the routers on the far sides of the PVCs are directly connected. In reality, there may be many devices in the cloud, any of which may be forwarding frames to the destination. Figure 23-2 shows what the inside of the cloud might look like. Frame Relay functions in a manner similar to the Internet. When you send a packet to a remote website, you don't really care how it gets there. You have no idea how many devices your packets may pass through. A