Datacom > Multiplexors

What is it?
Frame Relay is a type of packet-based switching technology that’s streamlined for speed. It was developed to solve communication problems that other protocols could not: large bandwidth efficiency for clumping (“bursty”) traffic, lower protocol processing, and high speeds.

What does it do?
Frame Relay provides a signal and data-transfer mechanism between the endpoints, or sites, of a network. It enables many users to share bandwidth, creating instantaneous bandwidth-on-demand (“BONDing”). It sends information in packets called frames that contain all the information necessary to route it to the correct destination. So in effect, each endpoint can communicate with many destinations over one access link to the network. And instead of being allocated a fixed amount of bandwidth, Frame-Relay traffic gets full bandwidth for short, bursty transmissions.

How does it work?
The Frame-Relay network contains user devices and network devices. The sending user device delivers the frames to the network. The network reads the addressing information on the frames and routes them to the proper destination user devices. Frame Relay assumes the data is error free, which cuts out a time-consuming step in the processing protocol. Therefore, the data travels much faster than with other, older technologies. Any error correction is done by the user devices (PCs, routers).

What are the benefits?
There are many benefits of Frame Relay: lower internetworking costs—with multiple logical connections over a single physical connection, you get lower equipment costs and access costs plus better performance; more network access; and less network complexity.

What equipment do I need?
Black Box has all the equipment you need to run Frame Relay. When used with a bridge or router and a CSU/DSU, our Frame-Relay Switches send your data across your WAN and implement the Frame-Relay interface. Our FrameRouter also gives you quick access to the Internet.

If you’re not sure which Frame-Relay device is best for your system, just call Tech Support at 724-746-5500, and press 1, 2, 3 to get the expert help of our Communications Team.

If you manage a heavy-traffic data network and you demand high bandwidth for high speeds, Black Box has what you need to send your data digitally over super-fast T1 or E1 communication lines.

Both T1 and E1 are foundations of global voice communication.
Developed more than 30 years ago and commercially available since 1983, T1 and E1 go virtually anywhere phone lines go, but faster.

T1 sends data up to 1.544 Mbps. E1 supports speeds to 2.048 Mbps. No matter where you need to connect—North, South, or Central America, Europe, or the Pacific Rim—T1 and E1 can get your data there—fast!

Both services provide flexibility for a multitude of applications.
Whether you need to drive a private, point-to-point line or a high-speed circuit; provide corporate access to the Internet or inbound access to your own webserver; or support a voice/data/fax/video WAN that extends halfway around the world, T1 or E1 can make the connection.

Both offer cost-effective connections.
In recent years, competition among telco service providers has led to increasingly more affordable prices for T1 and E1 services. In fact, most companies seriously considering a shift to T1 or E1 find they can negotiate even better rates with just a little comparative cost analysis.

Typical applications:
• Trunking of V.90 and ISDN remote connection to a central location.
• Accessing public Frame Relay networks for voice, fax, and data.
• Merging voice and data traffic. A single T1 or E1 line can give you several additional voice and data lines at no additional cost.
• Making LAN connections. If you’re linking LANs, a T1 or E1 line offers excellent performance.
• Sending bandwidth-intensive data such as CAD/CAM, MRI, CAT-scan images, and other graphics with large files.

American corporations are catching on to a European secret—the Frame-Relay advantage. In Europe, this packet-switching network is used more than any other kind of remote connection. And no wonder: Frame Relay is unrivaled for value, bandwidth, and flexible multipoint capability.

Value.
Like phone service, Frame Relay is usage sensitive. If you have a traditional leased line, you pay for full-time access to the limited bandwidth of a single line. But with Frame Relay, you pay only for the time you use on a large packet-switching network. Not only is your final bill likely to be lower, but you also get access to multiple lines and almost unlimited bandwidth.

Bandwidth-on-demand.
When you send more data across Frame Relay, you get the extra bandwidth you need—instantly.

Flexibility.
Many different sites can exchange information with each other without the expense of multiple leased lines. And when you add new sites, they’re easy to connect.

Reduced hardware requirements.
With Frame Relay, you only need one bridge or router at each site. Even central sites connecting to multiple remote sites require only one unit. That’s a substantial savings in hardware!