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Chapter_03_4

Concepts: Permanent Virtual Channel (PVC), X.25, LMI, 64 Kbps - 2048 Kbps



Frame Relay has become the most widely used WAN technology in the world. Large enterprises, governments, ISPs, and small businesses use Frame Relay, primarily because of its price and flexibility. As organizations grow and depend more and more on reliable data transport, traditional leased-line solutions are prohibitively expensive. The pace of technological change, and mergers and acquisitions in the networking industry, demand and require more flexibility. 

Frame Relay reduces network costs by using less equipment, less complexity, and an easier implementation. Moreover, Frame Relay provides greater bandwidth, reliability, and resiliency than private or leased lines. With increasing globalization and the growth of one-to-many branch office topologies, Frame Relay offers simpler network architecture and lower cost of ownership. 

Frame Relay originated as an extension of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Its designers aimed to enable a packet-switched network to transport the circuit-switched technology. The technology has become a stand-alone and cost-effective means of creating a WAN.