Frame relay trends for '99: Access options expand to bridge capacity gap

In our last newsletter, the first in a series of discussions about frame relay directions for the new year, we talked about two trends that address customer requirements for higher backbone capacity. These were the emergence of above-T1/E1 services and more widespread use of service interworking. Trends 3 and 4 are of a complementary nature: They have to do with the same requirements for speed increases over the access link.

Trend 3-DSL services: In the speed range that has more direct applications for the majority of frame relay users, ISDN Digital Subscriber Line (IDSL) services are emerging to provide 128K bit/sec access to frame relay and IP network services. IDSL is essentially an ISDN line that is nailed up for a point-to-point connection to a frame relay service. It provides constant data connectivity, but it does not offer switched or voice services. Historically, frame relay customers requiring higher-than-56/64K bit/sec capacity jumped to T1 access services because of the scarcity of fractional T1 services, whether they required that much bandwidth or not.

Note: You are likely to hear a lot more about Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) than IDSL services these days, but we still haven't seen firm announcements from frame relay carriers that they intend to support ADSL ports. However, they are a natural fit because of the asymmetric nature of frame relay traffic.

Trend No. 4-Multilink Frame Relay: For alternatives in the same speed range as IDSL, keep your eye out for multilink services. Now being defined in the Frame Relay Forum's technical committee, multilink services will allow the use of multiple transmission facilities - such as multiple 56/64K bit/sec links or multiple T1 links - to be aggregated and treated as a single logical frame relay stream. Again, this should provide a means for going above the 56/64K bit/sec glass ceiling without breaking through to a full T1/E1 circuit. While pinning down the forum or any standards-setting group on exact ratification dates is difficult, it is safe to say that multilink will at least find enough definition this year to make its way into some network managers' capacity-planning strategies.

Do you struggle with the access issue of "too much or too little?" Let us know if "in between" solutions for access that would bring you above 56K bit/sec but not require you to invest in a full T1 would be relevant to any of your locations. Write us at from-the-trenches@webtorials.com.

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Steven Taylor, consultant and broadband packet evangelist, and Joanie Wexler, an independent networking technology editor and writer, team up to bring you this analysis and commentary. Taylor specializes in education and market analysis, and Wexler adds incisive reporting and research. For more detailed information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter, connect to www.webtorials.com, the first Web site dedicated exclusively to market studies and technology tutorials in the Broadband Packet areas of Frame Relay, ATM, and IP. Feedback and additional topic ideas are welcome. Please contact taylor@webtorials.com or joanie_wexler@mindspring.com.

Prior newsletter
Network World Fusion, 01/04/99

AT&T, MCI WorldCom heat up local frame relay
Network World, 12/7/98

Is there hope for digital subscriber line technology?
Network World, 11/09/98

RBOCs vow 1999 will be DSL's year
Network World, 08/17/98

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