Configure Frame Relay Support

Frame Relay support is configured via the command-line interface. Note that the Frame Relay feature is not available on PacketShaper ISP, PacketShaper 1200, or PacketShaper 1400 Lite models.

PVC partition sizes, which are automatically created by the Packeteer Frame Relay feature, are regularly adjusted in response to need. As a result, if you require manual control of PVC partitions, manually create PVC partitions and child classes without using any of the Packeteer Frame Relay commands. In this way you can set the partition size and make it burstable between CIR and EIR. For example, you might create a 16 Kbps partition that is burstable to 56 Kbps. When you choose to manually create PVC classes and partitions, PacketWise cannot respond to congestion on the PVCs, because the manually created partitions will not adjust in response to the FECN/BECN notification.

Note: If a PacketShaper is configured with Frame Relay support, you cannot use PolicyCenter to share its traffic tree or Frame Relay configuration. If a unit with configured static frame routing entries is subscribed to PolicyCenter using the “convert” option, the frame routing entries may be lost.

To configure Frame Relay support:

1. Determine the number of IP routing entries present in the FRAD. If this number exceeds 300, call Technical Support for assistance.
2. Configure a Packeteer FRAD using the frame add command.
3. After several seconds, use the frame show command to verify that PacketWise has picked up the WAN interface name/number, DLCI(s), and FRAD system name.
   
   This information is collected even when shaping and traffic discovery are turned off.
   
   
4. Use the frame routing command to verify that the IP routes have been detected.
5. If the CIR and EIR values of each PVC partition are not automatically detected from the FRAD, set the CIR and EIR values using the frame override command.
   
   PacketWise interprets the EIR to mean the excess amount by which the partition can burst (maximum size minus CIR). Typically, you will set the EIR to the difference between the link size and the CIR of the PVC.
   
   
6. Use frame show to verify that the override successfully updated the values. Also, use partition show to verify that the minimum and maximum values for each PVC partition matches the values you set with the frame override command.
7. If you haven't already done so, turn on traffic discovery in the browser interface or use the setup discover command at the CLI. When traffic discovery is enabled, PacketWise creates classes under each PVC class for the applications and protocols it detects.
8. Verify that shaping is turned on by clicking setup in the browser interface or using the setup shaping command at the CLI. When you turn on shaping, PacketWise can begin enforcing the adjusted partition sizes for its PVC classes.
9. If necessary, use the frame options command to enable/disable auto-routing and PVC traffic discovery.

See also:

Frame Relay Overview

PVC Traffic Classes

Frame Relay Notes

Frame Relay Tips