Introduction 47IPLink 2800 Series Getting Started Guide 4 • Serial port configurationIntroductionThis chapter provides an overview of the serial port and describes the tasks involved in its configurationthrough the IPLink router, it includes the following sections:• Serial port configuration task list• Configuration tasks• ExamplesThe V.35 standard is recommended for speeds up to 48 kbps, although in practice it is used successfully at 4Mbps. The X.21 standard is recommended for data interfaces transmitting at rates up to 2 Mbps and is usedprimarily in Europe and Japan.The synchronous serial interface supports full-duplex operation and allows interconnection to various serialnetwork interface cards or equipment.The IPLink device supports the Frame Relay protocol on the synchronous serial interface. Frame Relay is anexample of a packet-switched technology. Packet-switched networks enable end stations to dynamically sharethe network medium and the available bandwidth. Variable-length packets are used for more efficient and flex-ible transfers. These packets are then switched between the various network segments until the destination isreached. Statistical multiplexing techniques control network access in a packet-switched network. The advan-tage of this technique is that it provides more flexibility and more efficient use of bandwidth.Serial port configuration task listPerform the tasks in the following sections to configure a synchronous serial interface:• Disabling an interface (see page 47)• Enabling an interface (see page 48)• Configuring the serial encapsulation type (see page 49)• Entering Frame Relay mode (see page 50)• Configuring the LMI type (see page 50)• Configuring the keep-alive interval (see page 51)• Entering Frame Relay PVC configuration mode (see page 51)• Configuring the PVC encapsulation type (see page 52)• Binding the Frame Relay PVC to IP interface (see page 52)• Disabling a Frame Relay PVC (see page 54)• Displaying Frame Relay information (see page 56)Disabling an interfaceBefore you replace a compact serial cable or attach your IPLink to other serial equipment, use the shutdowncommand to disable the serial interfaces. This prevents anomalies and hardware faults. When you shut downan interface, it has the state CLOSED in the show port serial command display.
