Local Management

Local management of NetWare Link/Frame Relay is accomplished by using a Link Management protocol---either the LMI or the Annex D protocol---to exchange status information between the router and the frame relay network. The LMI protocol also defines a number of optional features to simplify implementation or enhance operation. The LMI protocol learns about all devices that are accessible on the frame relay network, and exchanges keep-alive packets that are sent at a specified time interval. The keep-alive packet is a continuous link confidence test at the access interface, based on sequence numbers or counters that are exchanged between the frame relay network and the router.

LMI and Annex D promote a frame relay UNI implementation that addresses signaling and other network management functions.

LMI Operation

LMI, based on ISDN Digital Signaling System 1 (DSS1), is widely implemented on most frame relay equipment and provides the following support:

• Notification of the addition, deletion, and presence of a PVC
• Notification of the availability of a configured PVC
• Verification of link integrity using keep-alive sequence number exchanges

Annex D Operation

Annex D provides for the following in-channel signaling procedures:

• Notification of the addition and deletion of a PVC
• Notification of the availability of a configured PVC
• Verification of link integrity using keep-alive sequence number exchanges