Data services - Frame Relay


Frame Relay

Frame relay is used in connection of networks known as frame relay networks. Frame relay networks are public data networks commonly used for local area network to local area network communications. Customers connect to frame relay services over telephone lines from each of their locations to the frame relay network. Frame relay services require less maintenance, hardware and upkeep than traditional private line data communication services for customers with more than about four locations.

There are two components to look at when pricing out a frame circuit

  1. Port price = The port is the entry point, on a frame relay provider's switch, to the frame relay network. Multiple permanent virtual circuits can use one port. Ports are available in variable speeds such as T-1 56 KBPS, 256 KBPS and 16 KBPS.
  2. The CIR (committed information rate) is the minimum guaranteed number of BPS throughput, typically half the capacity of the port the customer is guaranteed to be able to send from each site. Some customers save money by using zero committed information rate. Customer can "burst", send data at the maximum speed of their frame relay port, where the port speed is higher than the committed information rate. If the port is a 56-kbps-speed port, the location connot send data through that port at higher than 56 KBPS speeds.