Multiple-connection profile support

Point-to-point connection profiles that support multiple connections enable you to have one connection profile that handles many digital, analog, or L2TP calls.

This is useful when you want multiple users to connect to your system but do not want to specify a separate point-to-point connection profile to handle each PPP line. This feature is especially useful for the 2805 4-port integrated modem where four lines can be used from one adapter.

For analog lines with multiple-connection profile support, all lines in the specified line pool are used up to the maximum number of connections. Basically, a separate connection profile job is started for each line that is defined in the line pool. All connection profile jobs wait for incoming calls on their respective lines.

Local IP address for multiple-connection profiles

You can use the local IP address with multiple-connection profiles, but it must be an existing IP address that is defined on your system. You can use the local IP address pull down list to select the existing IP address. Remote users can access the resources that are on your local network if you choose the local IP address as the local IP address for your PPP profile. Also, define the IP addresses that are in the remote IP address pool to be in the same network as the local IP address.

If you do not have a local IP address or do not want the remote users to access the LAN, define a virtual IP address for your system. A virtual IP address is also known as a circuitless interface. Your point-to-point profiles can use this IP address as their local IP address. Because this IP address is not tied to a physical network, it does not automatically forward traffic to other networks that are attached to your system.

To create a Virtual IP address, follow these steps:

1. In iSeries™ Navigator, expand your system and access Network > TCP/IP configuration > IPV4 > Interfaces.

2. Right-click Interfaces and select New Interface > Virtual IP.

3. Follow the Interface Wizard instructions to create your Virtual IP interface. Your point-to-point connection profiles can use the virtual IP address once it is created. You can use the pull down list from the Local IP address field that is on the TCP/IP Settings page to use the IP address with your profile.

   The virtual IP address must be active before starting your multiple-connection profile; otherwise, the profile will not start. To activate the IP address after creating the interface, you select the option to start the IP address when using the Interface Wizard.

Remote IP address pools for multiple-connection profiles

You can also use remote IP address pools with multiple-connection profiles. A typical one-connection point-to-point profile only allows you to specify one remote IP address, which is given to the calling system when the connection is made. Because multiple callers can now connect simultaneously, a remote IP address pool is used to define a starting remote IP address as well as a range of additional IP addresses that are given to the calling system.

Line pool restrictions

These restrictions apply when using line pools for multiple connections:

• A specific line can only exist in one line pool at a time. If you remove a line from a line pool, it can be used in another line pool.

• When starting a multiple connection profile that uses a line pool, all lines in the line pool are used up to the maximum number of connections value in the profile. When there are no lines, all new connections will fail. Also, if there are no lines in the line pool, and another profile starts, it will end.

• When you start a single connection profile that has a line pool, the system uses only one line from the line pool. If you start a multiple connection profile that uses the same line pool, any remaining lines in the line pool are for use.

• Remote IP address pools
  The system can use remote IP address pools for any answering or stopping point-to-point connection profile that is used with multiple incoming connections.

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