Why FRoDSL is a sound choice

Frame relay isn’t going away soon.  In fact, in a recent survey that Steve conducted at the Webtorials site, a worldwide database of corporate end-users indicated satisfaction levels with frame relay, ATM, MPLS-based VPNs and Internet-based IPSec VPNs.

One thing that we believe is happening, though, is users are looking for less expensive methods to access frame relay infrastructures.  And an excellent option for extending the life of an existing frame relay infrastructure is to consider using DSL services to access it.

These frame relay-over-DSL (FRoDSL) access services simply use DSL technology to access a service provider’s existing frame relay infrastructure.  FRoDSL services tend to offer price advantages for several reasons, some of which have to do with the cost of provisioning the service.

In contrast with traditional T-1/E-1 services, FRoDSL often can be extended for greater distances, albeit sometimes at fractional T-1/E-1 speeds.  For these applications, where perhaps only a third or half a T-1 is needed, FRoDSL is provisioned without repeaters.  Additionally, the fact that DSL services only require a single copper pair as opposed to two pair means that fewer lines are in use.

The service could also cost less because the guaranteed response time is longer.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that FRoDSL is any less reliable in terms of the mean-time-between-failure (MTBF).  However, because truck rolls and fast response cost money, it means that the guaranteed mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) may be somewhat longer than with a traditional service.

Next time we’ll delve a bit deeper into the reliability issue.  In the mean time, if you want to look at this in greater detail, please check out the FRoDSL white paper that Steve authored at the link below.