Surfing the net

Frame Relay

The networks used in schools, homes and businesses are typically LANs (Local Area Networks). The networks that connect LANs over large distances are called WANs (Wide Area Networks). The Internet is the public network that the whole world has access too. It makes use of WAN technologies to connect all the countries together. LANs utilize Ethernet and wireless technologies. WANs use different technologies designed for distance and connection flexibility. Some key WAN technologies are Frame Relay, ATM, and X.25.

For this example network the Adtran network device is being used to simulate the Internet "cloud". The frame relay DLCI connections are already pre-configured. Different routers can be attached to the frame relay ports using serial cables.