A possible competitor to T-3 frame relay
 
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We recently discussed new management capabilities that are becoming available for T-3 frame relay interfaces. These higher speed interfaces represent one direction for the future of frame relay, but there is another path that some companies may follow: frame relay-to-ATM service interworking.
This migration becomes necessary when the number of remote frame relay interfaces reaches sufficient quantity and speed, making an interface faster than T-1/E-1 necessary at the central site. ATM-to-frame relay service interworking simply translates between frame relay and ATM so that the high speed (T-3 and above) interfaces use ATM and the low-speed interfaces use frame relay. But, then, how do you manage these hybrid services?
Visual Networks, a maker of frame relay management products for both carriers and end customers, has an answer in the works. In the company's acquisition of Net2Net, completed in May, Visual Networks set a clear product strategy direction when it said it planned to integrate Net2Net's ATM management product with its own frame relay management system for end-to-end hybrid network management.
The bottom line here is that frame relay is moving to higher speeds, but the exact form of that movement (T-3/E-3 frame relay vs. frame relay-to-ATM interworking) probably will vary from company to company. Regardless of your direction, the management tools for smoothing this migration are on the way.
What is happening in your own network? Are traffic volumes increasing to a point where you might soon need to consider a higher speed interface? If so, have you decided whether your future includes high-speed frame relay, ATM or both? Let us know what is happening out there. Send us email at: fromthetrenches@Webtorials.com.
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.
Building hybrid backbones: One user shares his tale of frame relay-to-ATM interworking for his network.
Network World, 8/31/98.
Service interworking cost savings:
Net2Net acquisition press release from Visual Networks
Implimentation Agreements:
Network World on Frame Relay, 4/24/98.
from the Frame Relay Forum.
(and scroll to FRF.8)
