This section provides instructions for configuring backup calls.

For more information about the NetWare^® Link/PPP^TM software, refer to Novell Internet Access Server 4.1 Routing Concepts.

How to Configure a Backup Call Association

NOTE: A backup call destination can be configured for the same interface as the primary call destination if there is only one physical interface available. Note, however, that in such a configuration, when the backup call is connected, the primary call destination will not be able to reconnect because the interface will be in use.

NOTE: If a primary and backup call are to the same host and that remote host is running the NetWare MultiProtocol Router^TM 2.11 or 3.0 software, you must configure different local system IDs in the primary and backup WAN call destination records.

Before you begin, you must complete the following tasks:

• Configure the appropriate WAN board (refer to Chapter 2, "Configuring Drivers and Board Parameters,”).
• Configure the appropriate WAN connection (refer to Chapter 3, "Configuring Permanent PPP Connections,”).
• Configure two WAN call destinations to the same destination so that you can associate one as the backup for the other (refer to Chapter 3, "Configuring Permanent PPP Connections,”).

To configure a backup call association, complete the following steps:

1. Load NIASCFG, then select the following parameter path:

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing > Backup Call Associations

   The Backup Call Associations screen lists all currently configured backup call associations with the following information:

   • Primary Call Destination---A WAN call destination name that has been configured to be a primary call destination.
   • Backup Call Destination---A WAN call destination name that has been configured to be a backup call destination to the primary call destination.
   • Status---Current status of the backup call association.

   This screen has no entries if no backup call associations are configured.

2. Press Ins to create a new backup call association.

   The Backup Association Configuration menu is displayed. The Primary Call Destination field is highlighted.

3. Press Enter to display a list of configured WAN call destinations that are available to be primary call destinations.

   A list of WAN call destinations is displayed. These are the configured WAN call destinations that are available to define as primary call destinations. Destinations that have already been configured to be primary or backup call destinations are not listed here. Only WAN call destinations with a call type of permanent are listed here.

4. Select a primary call destination.

   The Backup Association Configuration menu is displayed again. The Primary Call Destination field is filled in, and the Backup Call Destination field is highlighted.

5. Press Enter to display a list of configured WAN call destinations that are available to be backup call destinations.

   The list of WAN call destinations is displayed again. The destination you selected as a primary call destination is no longer contained in this list.

   NOTE: Only permanent PPP connections can be used as backup call destinations.

6. Select a backup call destination.

   The Backup Association Configuration menu is displayed with the Backup Call Destination field filled in.

7. Ensure that Association Status is set to Enabled.

   To change the displayed status, select Status, select the desired status from the pop-up display, then press Enter.

8. Optionally, do the following to modify the connect and disconnect timer values:

   1. Enter a new value, in seconds, in the Connect Delay Timer field, then press Enter.

      When the primary call destination fails, this value is the number of seconds to delay before attempting to connect to the backup call destination.

   2. Enter a new value, in seconds, in the Disconnect Delay Timer field, then press Enter.

      When the backup call destination is up and the primary call destination reconnects, this value is the number of seconds to delay before disconnecting the backup call.

9. Press Esc to return to the Internetworking Configuration menu; save your changes when prompted.

   The backup call association you configured is listed in the Configured Backup Call Associations menu.

10. To configure another interface, repeat Step 2 through Step 9.

    NOTE: When binding to a backup call destination, select WAN Call Destinations and set Type to Manual to keep the backup call from coming up when the router is restarted. This setting does not keep the backup call from coming up automatically when the primary call goes down.

11. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, select Reinitialize System.

    If you want to configure other parameters, do so now, then reinitialize the system when you are finished.