Network connections for frame relay

 

The direct frame-relay network and the bridged frame-relay network are the two types of network connections that you can configure.

Direct frame-relay network

The direct frame-relay network allows communications using Systems Network Architecture (SNA) or TCP/IP data over a frame-relay network at speeds of up to 2.048 Mbps. This support allows a network of systems to communicate using the frame-relay network as a backbone without the need for multiple-leased T1 lines. This function is also known as boundary network node (BNN) support.

Bridged frame-relay network

The bridged frame-relay network allows the System i™ platform to communicate over a frame-relay network. This communication takes place through a remote bridge that is attached to a token-ring, Ethernet, or distributed data interface (DDI) network. Bridged frame-relay connections allow the System i platform to communicate with stations on the remote local area network (LAN) as if they were attached locally to the LAN. This function is also known as boundary network node (BNN) support. The following figure shows an example of a bridged frame-relay connection.
Figure 1. Example of a bridged frame-relay network connection

In this example, System i platform A communicates through the frame-relay network and the bridge to System i platform B. Bridged frame-relay connections support SNA and TCP/IP data communications.

 

Parent topic:

Frame relay

Related concepts
Bridged connections for frame relay