Labs: MPLS using EIGRP between PE-CE

Labs Summary :

1. MPLS backbone using IS-IS as IGP
2. PE-CE using EIGRP routing protocol
3. MP-iBGP runs on PE1 and PE2 and using ASN 65000

Part 1: Frame Relay Basic

Frame Relay is WAN technology that works on layer 2 (Data Link) of the ISO technology. Frame Relay initially propose at Consultative Committee on International Telephone and Telegraph(CCITT) in 1984. In 1990, Cisco, DEC, Nortel and Stratacom formed a consorsium to develop frame relay technology . 

Frame relay devices are consist of:

1. DTE(Data Terminal Equipment), located on the customer devices, such as router, bridges,etc).
2. DCE(Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment), located on Frame Relay  PSN (Packet Switched Network)

Frame Relay create virtual circuit to form end-to-end links and uniquely identified by a data link connection identifier (DLCI). DLCI is a value assigned by Frame Relay service provider and is locally significant, which means its values is unique in the LAN, but not in the WAN. Frame Relay virtual circuit fall into two categoris:

1. SVC (Switched Virtual Circuit), connection between DTE devices will be established if there's data to be transferred. If no data is transferred, the connection will be in idle state for a defined period and then terminated.
2. PVC (Permanent Virtual Circuit), connection between DTE devices will be established permanently.  

DLCI Mapping

Remember, Frame Relay only works on layer 2 of the OSI model and it doesn't understand IP addressing. So we need to map IP address to a DLCI number on Frame Relay switch. Mapping can be done statically or dynamically by administrator on the router.