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Each permanent outbound call configuration identifies a specific NetWare Link/PPP interface that is used to place the call to a remote system. However, when supporting on-demand connections, you might want to have a group of interfaces that can be shared between outbound connections. If each interface in the group provides the same capabilities, any available interface can be used to establish an on-demand outbound connection to a remote system. Furthermore, if all the interfaces are attached to switched circuits that represent the same telephone number, inbound calls placed to that telephone number can be accepted over any available interface in the interface group. This is similar to a multiple-line business telephone. To place an outbound call, you select any available line. Multiple inbound calls placed to the main office number are directed to any available line.
NetWare Link/PPP lets you assign a symbolic name to a group of interfaces that can be used interchangeably. All interfaces in a group must have similar framing characteristics. NetWare Link/PPP outbound call configuration lets you select an interface group name rather than a specific interface name for making outbound calls. Selecting an interface group name directs NetWare Link/PPP to use any available interface within the group to establish the connection.
Defining an interface group (with the Interface Group parameter) lets you make an on-demand call on any of several network interfaces without creating an individual WAN call destination for each interface. All you need to do is specify the interface group name in place of the interface name in the WAN call destination. When the call is made, the specific interface is selected from the group. Because an interface is selected automatically when the call is made, you do not need to dedicate interfaces to specific destinations. This flexibility in selecting interfaces lets you use your WAN hardware more efficiently.
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