Conversent frame-relay to ATM question?

[BobMCT]

Gentlemen;
I have a client who ordered three endpoints installed from Conversent in the NorthEast. They are said to be frame-relay circuits. As this client already uses Netopia routers extensively they purchased three used R5300 (T1) routers for this loop. Of the three locations, one is a main office and the other two are remotes. Therefore the main office must communicate with both of the remotes simultaneously. We configured all the locations for frame-relay and while it appears that the two remotes can "see" their DLCI information, the main office does not. Conversent is stating that the main office must be configured as an ATM termination point.

I am confused (obviously) as I am unaware that a use can mix protocols.

Can anyone please clarify what modes must be used to get these three locations to communicate? Also please note, as these are PVC's, they are unnumbered connections (no IPs).

Please advise?

Thank you,

B

 

[Belushi]

Most providers offer Layer 2 networks that encompass both frame and ATM simultaneously. The reason for this is that their frame switches that your routers connect to can also handle ATM and vice-versa. It is not uncommon for smaller connections to use the frame-relay encapsulation and larger conenctions ATM encapsulation, but this isn't set in stone.

Both technologies (frame/ATM) use PVCs in theior configuration and the corresponding DLCIs, although ATM uses different terminology but think of it as the same thing.

As for configuring your equpment, you'll have to excuse me becuase I have not used that brand before. The fact that you are not using IPs on your WAN connections is of no consequence. You are conencting to a layer 2 netwqork so it doesn't matter as long as the layer 2 network can pass layer 3 information (Ip/IPX/etc.)