Virtual Circuits

The Frame Relay frame is transmitted to its destination by way of virtual circuits (logical paths from an originating point in the network) to a destination point. Virtual circuits may be permanent (PVCs) or switched (SVCs). SVCs are set up on a call-by-call basis.

Benefits

• Virtual circuits can exist simultaneously across a given transmission line. In addition, each device can use more of the bandwidth as necessary, and thus operate at higher speeds.
• High reliability
• Provides a cost-effective way of providing a secure private IP-based network.
• Used as a low cost carrier to replace networks of leased lines

These factors make Frame Relay a desirable choice for data transmission; however, they also necessitate testing to determine that the system works properly and that data is not lost. While Frame Relay does not guarauntee data integrity, the protocols transported over it today mainly have their own error correction mechanisms.Thus frames travel very fast and arrive at its destination with very little delay, to the extent that use of Frame Relay is almost like that of a direct leased line connections, only cheaper.

RADCOM's provides extensive support for monitoring, testing and troublshooting Frame Relay. The solutions include:

• Analysis of protocols at all 7 layers
• Simulation of a Frame Relay station or Frame Relay switch
• DLCI map, which displays the status of each unit on a Frame Relay network
• Applications identifying problems at the physical layer
• Many more