Chapter 11 – Wide Area

Networks
 CHAPTER 11 – WIDE AREA NETWORKS

Presentation_ID 2
 Chapter 2

1 Introduction to Wide-Area Networks

2 PPP Concepts
3 PPP Configuration
 1 Introduction to Wide-Area
Networks

Presentation_ID 4
 Purpose of WANs
Why Choose a WAN?

Operates beyond the

geographic scope of a LAN
Used to interconnect the
enterprise LAN to remote
LANs in branch sites and
telecommuter sites
Owned by a service
provider
Organization must pay a
fee to use the provider’s
services to connect sites
 WAN Operations
WANs in the OSI Model

WAN access standards

typically describe both
physical layer delivery
methods and data link layer
requirements, including
physical addressing, flow
control, and encapsulation.
 WAN Operations
WAN Devices
 WAN Operations
Circuit Switching
The two most common types of circuit-switched WAN technologies are
the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN).
 WAN Operations
Packet Switching
Splits traffic data into packets that are routed over a shared network. Packet-
switching allow many pairs of nodes to communicate over the same channel.
 WAN Services
WAN Link Connection Options
 WAN Services
Service-Provided Network Infrastructure
 Private WAN Infrastructures
Leased Lines
Advantages: Disadvantages:
 Simplicity  Cost
 Quality  Limited flexibility
 Availability
 Private WAN Infrastructures
Dialup
Advantages: Disadvantages:
 Simplicity  Low data rates
 Availability  Relatively long
connection time
 Low implementation cost
 Private WAN Infrastructures
ISDN
Sample ISDN Topology

ISDN BRI ISDN PRI

Private WAN Infrastructures
Frame Relay

 PVCs carry both voice and

data traffic.
 PVCs are uniquely
identified by a data-link
connection identifier
(DLCI).
 PVCs and DLCIs ensure
bidirectional
communication from one
DTE device to another.
 R1 uses DLCI 102 to reach
R2 while R2 uses DLCI
201 to reach R1.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
ATM
Built on a cell-based architecture, rather than on a frame-based architecture.
ATM cells are always a fixed length of 53 bytes.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
Ethernet WAN
Features and Benefits of Ethernet
WAN include:
 Reduced expenses and
administration
 Easy integration with existing
networks
 Enhanced business productivity
 Service providers now offer
Ethernet WAN service using
fiber-optic cabling.
 Known as Metropolitan
Ethernet (MetroE), Ethernet
over MPLS (EoMPLS), and Note: Commonly used to replace the
Virtual Private LAN Service traditional Frame Relay and ATM WAN
(VPLS). links.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a multiprotocol high-
performance WAN technology that directs data from one router to the
next, based on short path labels rather than IP network addresses.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
VSAT

Very small aperture

terminal (VSAT) - a
solution that creates a
private WAN using
satellite communications.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
DSL

 Always-on connection
technology that uses
existing twisted-pair
telephone lines to
transport high-
bandwidth data, and
provides IP services to
subscribers.
 A DSL modem converts
an Ethernet signal from
the user device to a DSL
signal, which is
transmitted to the
central office.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
Cable

 Network access is
available from some
cable television
networks.
 Cable modems
provide an always-on
connection and a
simple installation.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
Wireless
New developments in
broadband wireless
technology:
 Municipal Wi-Fi – Many
cities have begun setting up
municipal wireless
 WiMAX – Worldwide
Interoperability for
Microwave Access
(WiMAX) is a new
technology that is just
beginning to come into use.
 Satellite Internet
 Private WAN Infrastructures
3G/4G Cellular

Common cellular industry terms include:

 3G/4G Wireless – Abbreviation for 3rd generation and 4th generation
cellular access. These technologies support wireless Internet access.
 Long-Term Evolution (LTE) – A newer and faster technology,
considered to be part of the 4th generation (4G) technology.
 Private WAN Infrastructures
VPN Technology
VPN is an encrypted connection
between private networks over a
public network.

Benefits:
 Cost savings
 Security
 Scalability
 Compatibility with broadband
technology

Two types of VPN:

 Site-to-site VPNs
 Remote-access VPNs
 Selecting WAN Services
Choosing a WAN Link Connection

Answer the following questions when choosing a WAN Connection:

 What is the purpose of the WAN?
 What is the geographic scope?
 What are the traffic requirements?
 Selecting WAN Services
Choosing a WAN Link Connection
 2 PPP CONCEPTS

Connecting Networks

Presentation_ID 27
 Serial Communications
Point-to-Point Communication Links
Point-to-point links can connect two geographically distant sites.
Carrier dedicates specific resources for a line leased by the customer (leased-
line).
Point-to-point links are usually more expensive than shared services.
 Serial Communications
DTE-DCE
 DTE – Commonly CPE, generally a router, could also be a terminal, computer,
printer, or fax machine if they connect directly to the service provider
network.
 DCE – Commonly a modem or CSU/DSU, it is a device used to convert the
user data from the DTE into a form acceptable to the WAN service provider
transmission link. The signal is received at the remote DCE, which decodes
the signal back into a sequence of bits; the remote DCE then signals this
sequence to the remote DTE.
Serial Communications
Serial Cables
 Serial Communications
Serial Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the rate at which data is transferred over the
communication link.
 HDLC Encapsulation
WAN Encapsulation Protocols
Data is encapsulated into frames before crossing the WAN link; an appropriate
Layer 2 encapsulation type must be configured.
 HDLC Encapsulation
HDLC Encapsulation

 Bit-oriented, synchronous data link layer protocol developed by the

International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
 Uses synchronous serial transmission to provide error-free communication
between two points.
 Defines a Layer 2 framing structure that allows for flow control and error
control through the use of acknowledgments.
 Cisco has developed an extension to the HLDC protocol to solve the inability
to provide multiprotocol support (Cisco HLDC also referred to as cHDLC).
 HDLC Encapsulation
HDLC Frame Types

• The Flag field initiates and

terminates error checking, and
the frame always starts and ends
with an 8-bit flag field,
01111110.

• I-frames carry upper layer information and

some control information; sends and
receives sequence numbers, and the poll
final (P/F) bit performs flow and error
control.
• S-frames provide control information –
Request and suspend transmission, report on
status, and acknowledge receipt of I-frame.

• U-frames support control purposes

and are not sequenced.
 HDLC Encapsulation
Configuring HDLC Encapsulation

 Default encapsulation method used by Cisco devices on synchronous serial

lines
 Point-to-point protocol on leased lines between two Cisco devices
 Connecting to a non-Cisco device, use synchronous PPP
 HDLC Encapsulation
Troubleshooting a Serial Interface
 HDLC Encapsulation
Troubleshooting a Serial Interface (cont.)
 HDLC Encapsulation
Troubleshooting a Serial Interface (cont.)
 HDLC Encapsulation
Troubleshooting a Serial Interface (cont.)
 HDLC Encapsulation
Troubleshooting a Serial Interface (cont.)
 HDLC Encapsulation
Troubleshooting a Serial Interface (cont.)
 PPP OPERATION

Presentation_ID 42
 Benefits of PPP
Introducing PPP

PPP contains three main

components:
 HDLC protocol for
encapsulating datagrams over
point-to-point links
 Extensible Link Control
Protocol (LCP) to establish,
configure, and test the data
link connection
 Family of Network Control
Protocols (NCPs) to establish
and configure different
network layer protocols (IPv4,
IPv6, AppleTalk, Novell IPX, and
SNA Control Protocol)
 Benefits of PPP
Advantages of PPP

 PPP not proprietary

 PPP includes many features not available in HDLC
 Link quality management feature monitors the quality of the link. If too
many errors are detected, PPP takes down the link
 Supports PAP and CHAP authentication
 LCP and NCP
PPP Layered Architecture

 LCP sets up the

PPP connection
and its
parameters
 NCPs handle
higher layer
protocol
configurations
 LCP terminates
the PPP
connection
 LCP and NCP
PPP Control Protocol (LCP)

LCP provides automatic

configuration of the
interfaces at each end,
including:
 Handling varying
limits on packet size.
 Detecting common
misconfiguration
errors.
 Terminating the link.
 Determining when a
link is functioning
properly or when it is
failing.
 LCP and NCP
PPP Network Control Protocol (NCP)

 PPP permits
multiple network
layer protocols to
operate on the
same
communications
link.
 For every network
layer protocol
used, PPP uses a
separate NCP.
 LCP and NCP
PPP Frame Structure
 PPP Sessions
Establishing a PPP Session

Phase 1 – LCP must first open the connection and negotiate

configuration options; it completes when the receiving router
sends a configuration-acknowledgment frame back to the
router initiating the connection.
 PPP Sessions
Establishing a PPP Session (cont.)

Phase 2 – LCP tests the link to determine whether the link

quality is sufficient to bring up network layer protocols.
 PPP Sessions
Establishing a PPP Session (cont.)

Phase 3 – After the LCP has finished the link quality

determination phase, the appropriate NCP can separately
configure the network layer protocols, and bring them up and
take them down at any time.
 PPP Sessions
LCP Operation

 LCP operation includes provisions for link establishment, link maintenance,

and link termination.
 LCP operation uses three classes of LCP frames to accomplish the work of
each of the LCP phases:
 Link-establishment frames establish and configure a link.
 Configure-Request, Configure-Ack, Configure-Nak, and Configure-
Reject
 Link-maintenance frames manage and debug a link.
 Code-Reject, Protocol-Reject, Echo-Request, Echo-Reply, and
Discard-Request
 Link-termination frames terminate a link.
 Terminate-Request and Terminate-Ack
 PPP Sessions
LCP Operation (cont.)

During link maintenance, LCP can use messages to provide feedback and test
the link.
 Echo-Request, Echo-Reply, and Discard-Request can be used to test the
link.
 Code-Reject and Protocol-Reject provides feedback when one device
receives an invalid frame due to either an unrecognized LCP code (LCP
frame type) or a bad protocol identifier.
 PPP Sessions
LCP Operation (cont.)
 PPP Sessions
LCP Packet
 PPP Sessions
LCP Packet
 PPP Sessions
LCP Packet (cont.)
 PPP Sessions
PPP Configuration Options

Optional functions
include:
 Authentication
using either PAP
or CHAP
 Compression
using either
Stacker or
Predictor
 Multilink that
combines two or
more channels to
increase the
WAN bandwidth
 PPP Sessions
NCP Explained
 3.3 CONFIGURING PPP

Presentation_ID 60
 Configure PPP
PPP Configuration Options

 Authentication – Two authentication choices are Password Authentication

Protocol (PAP) and Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP).
 Compression – Increases the effective throughput on PPP connections by
reducing the amount of data in the frame that must travel across the link.
The protocol decompresses the frame at its destination. Two compression
protocols available in Cisco routers are Stacker and Predictor.
 Error detection – Identifies fault conditions. The Quality and Magic Number
options help ensure a reliable, loop-free data link. The Magic Number field
helps in detecting links that are in a looped-back condition. Magic numbers
are generated randomly at each end of the connection.
 Configure PPP
PPP Configuration Options

 PPP Callback – PPP callback is used to enhance security. With this LCP option,
a Cisco router can act as a callback client or a callback server. The client
makes the initial call, requests that the server call it back, and terminates its
initial call. The callback router answers the initial call and makes the return
call to the client based on its configuration statements. The command is ppp
callback [accept | request].
 Multilink – This alternative provides load balancing over the router
interfaces that PPP uses. Multilink PPP provides a method for spreading
traffic across multiple physical WAN links while providing packet
fragmentation and reassembly, proper sequencing, multivendor
interoperability, and load balancing on inbound and outbound traffic.
 Configure PPP
PPP Basic Configuration Command
 Configure PPP
PPP Compression Commands
 Configure PPP
PPP Link Quality Monitoring Command

The ppp quality percentage command ensures that the

link meets the quality requirement set; otherwise, the link closes
down.
 Configure PPP
PPP Multilink Commands
 Configure PPP
Verifying PPP Configuration
 Configure PPP
Verifying PPP Configuration (cont.)

The output indicates the interface Multilink 1, the hostnames of both the local
and remote endpoints, and the serial interfaces assigned to the multilink
bundle.
 PPP Authentication
PPP Authentication Protocols
 PPP Authentication
Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)
Initiating PAP

Completing PAP
 PPP Authentication
Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol

Initiating CHAP

Responding CHAP
 PPP Authentication
CHAP (cont.)

Completing CHAP
 PPP Authentication
PPP Encapsulation and Authentication Process
 PPP Authentication
Configuring PPP Authentication
 PPP Authentication
Configuring PPP Authentication (cont.)
 PPP Authentication
Configuring PPP Authentication (cont.)