DSL

Frame Relay Circuits and DSL

Is it possible to deploy DSL over an existing frame relay circuit? The ISP-DSL list investigates the matter.

[February 22, 2000]

On the ISP-DSL list in January, Rod posted a question about how a "very small ISP" could best provide DSL to their customers:

"We are a small player and some of our customers have expressed interest in DSL connectivity. The local phone company, which provides us with a frame relay circuit, says they can provide connectivity to DSL in the existing circuit. My question is can we have them drop our customers into the frame relay for internet access or do we need to pass the customers through our systems first?"

One respondent doubted that the DSL and Internet traffic could actually share one frame relay:

[AM wrote] "I don't think it's possible to mix-and-match a frame PVC and ATM VC's on the same physical circuit."

However, another respondent was already doing just that:

[RM explained] "We have deployed DSL over our existing frame relay using the Max TNT from Ascend/Lucent Technologies to terminate the circuits from our location to the end user. We just put the Max on its own network, which makes it easier to manage. You have a choice of what type of connectivity you'll use with this system, just configure the box and away you go. It's very expensive, but also very upgradeable. And you can start with the MaxDSL, which is much cheaper out of the box."

MS pointed out that DSL is only a "last mile solution" and shared his experience with running DSL into a frame circuit:

"It shouldn't matter what type of circuit it plugs into. I've run DSL into my frame circuit without the use of a DSLAM at all and it works just fine. If the phone company will drop it into an existing frame circuit, then you just hit the jackpot!"

—End