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DSL vs. Frame Relay
Current Market Deployment
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a digital dedicated service that uses high
bandwidth to bring voice, data, video, teleconferencing, and the Internet to
your business. It is an "always on" service with speedy Internet access.
Files can be downloaded and uploaded (depending on the flavor of DSL you
choose) at speeds that cannot be attained with an ordinary 56K modem. This
new technology is currently being deployed widely, and is available in most
regions.
Frame Relay is a very complex technology that was originally used as an
enhancement to ISDN. It is a digital connection-oriented data service that
is frame-based. Frame Relay is designed for cost-efficient data transmission
for intermittent traffic between local area networks (LAN -to- LAN)) and
between end-points in a wide area network (WAN). It's a data network service
bundled with leased line access for transmitting data between remote
networks. Frame Relay acts like a private dedicated network.
Frame relay is widely used and available in most areas. It is recommended
for use by companies with large networks and multiple site locations.
How DSL and Frame Relay Work
DSL is an "always on" digital service. To connect, you never have to
dial-up. There is only one path for carrying voice, video and data. There
are two flavors of DSL that are widely being used today: Symmetric DSL (SDSL)
and Asymmetric DSL (ADSL). The difference between them is their ability to
carry data in upstream (i.e., upload) and downstream (i.e., download)
directions. SDSL uses upstream and downstream capacity to carry data in both
directions. ADSL delivers higher speed downstream service, and slower speed
upstream service. If your business users spend more time downloading files
than uploading files, you may choose ADSL since you can download pages
faster.
Frame Relay is a digital packet network service that provides all the
features and benefits of a dedicated network service without the expense of
multiple dedicated circuits. A packet, or frame, is a chunk of data that is
sent over the network. A switched network is a network where data is carried
in the form of packets. This data is given an ID on a per packet basis and
sent across the network in a very efficient way. In a Frame Relay network,
circuits are connected to a packet switch within the network that ensures
packets are routed to the correct location.
Speed and Bandwidth
Speed and bandwidth are very important considerations when choosing a
service. Speed refers to data transmission rate. Bandwidth is the capacity
to carry data. Both are measured in bits per second. DSL's data rates range
from 128 Kbps to 8 Mbps, depending on the DSL flavor you choose. Frame
Relay's data rates range from 56 Kbps to 45 Mbps.
Wiring
DSL is installed on twisted-pair copper wire. Frame can be installed on the
following:
Twisted-pair copper wire.
Fiber optics.
Coaxial cable.
Digital microwave.
Infrared lighting.
If fiber optics is used as a medium, you'll need to
supply backup power (i.e., electricity) at your site. Without this, you will
risk losing your service in the event of a power failure.
Dedicated and Switched ServicesDSL is a dedicated service. This means that
the service is "always on". Users don't need to go through a dial-up process
to get connected. Dedicated service is a circuit between fixed endpoints.
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for exclusive use
by that user.
Frame Relay is also a dedicated service. It is leased from a common carrier.
Additionally, it is a switched service. Switched service is a circuit for
which the endpoints may vary with each usage. The circuit is provided by a
common carrier, which is routed through a switched network, providing
circuit switching between public end users. There are two types of switched
technology: circuit switched, and packet switched. In a switched circuit, a
call is established only for as long as needed and then the session is
disconnected.
Applications
DSL is used for carrying voice, data and video at fast rates. Users can
download and upload large files quickly. Video conferencing can also be
accomplished.
Frame Relay is a data network service used for LAN-to-LAN connections,
remote access, and connecting to the Internet. Like DSL, it is used for
carrying voice, data and video at fast rates. Users can download and upload
large files quickly. Video conferencing can also be accomplished. Frame
relay is well-suited for intra-corporate communications. It is also ideal
for centralized applications, such as client/server or terminal-to-host.
Some features of Frame Relay are as follows:
With Frame Relay service, your network is managed and maintained by a
service provider.
There is less hardware required at each location than that used for private,
dedicated networks. Fewer modems and multiplexers are needed to connect
sites together.
Frame relay has a capacity that is more flexible than that of private lines.
You can have the flexibility provided by frame relay to add capacity easily
(scalability).
Frame Relay has its own internal backup routes so that customers do not have
to provide multiple routes for reaching each location.
Required Equipment
DSL
For DSL, a splitter may be required, depending on the flavor of DSL you
want, or the type of DSL available in your area. A splitter is not required
for G-Lite DSL. Also, a DSL modem and an Ethernet card are required for
installation.
Unlike your analog telephone line, your DSL line does not draw its current
from your local service provider central office. You'll need an
Uninterruptible Power Supply to ensure continuous service in the event of a
power failure.
DSL use requires that your computer have a Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI) slot for installing the PCI. PCI adaptor cards may also be necessary
to combine an Ethernet interface to your PC with DSL modem functions.
Frame Relay
When using Frame Relay, less hardware (i.e., fewer modems and multiplexers)
is required at each location than that used for private, dedicated networks.
Nevertheless, you must ensure that each site is connected to the Frame Relay
Network.
Cost and Value Considerations
DSL is a very affordable and cost-effective service based upon a flat rate.
Since cost is not based upon usage, you can use this service any time for as
long as you want without incurring any usage charges. It is easily and
inexpensively installed. In fact, you may be able to install it yourself.
However, you will need to purchase a DSL modem and an Uninterruptible Power
Supply when installing service. When selecting DSL, you should determine
which flavor of DSL is best for your business. This decision will affect the
price of the DSL installation and service. For those businesses that need
the high-end flavors of DSL with very large bandwidth and ultra fast speeds,
techniques are currently being developed that mean lower costs for
installation, deployment, testing and maintenance of these high-speed
services.
Frame relay is a premium-leased line for exclusive use by the user. The
capacity to carry very large amounts of data at a very fast rate comes at a
premium. Setup and installation will probably be your biggest out-of-pocket
expenditure. Nevertheless, it is an ideal, cost-effective solution for
networks with bursty traffic (i.e., data networks in which the traffic level
may change in a short time-period from very low to very high) that require
connections to multiple locations and where a certain degree of delay is
acceptable. It also allows a voice circuit to share the same virtual
connection as a data circuit, enabling you to save money. Frame relay is not
billed on a distance-sensitive basis. If your business sites are far apart,
it is very cost-effective.
Frame relay should be considered as a cost-effective first choice for
businesses with the following:
Multiple sites in locations that are far apart.
Businesses that need a high degree of connectivity.
(If the sites are very close together or only a few of the sites must be
interconnected, a private line may be better and more inexpensive. If a
very large amount of site-to-site connectivity is required, frame relay's
virtual circuit service may provide improved connectivity at a cheaper
price than private line solutions.)
Business that need flexible communication between
sites. Although private lines lock a customer into a specific set of
point-to-point connections, frame relay can provide a full mesh
interconnection between many sites.
Businesses that need much more connectivity and/or
performance than their current network service.
