Frame Relay in Israel

In Israel, frame relay is implemented by Bezeq. Almost all the current users of frame relay are using it for the interconnection of LANs.

Bezeq is using Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) for The frame relay connections. Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC) are not used.

The Bridging topology Bezeq uses is based on 8 backbone switches and 70 end-switches.
The backbone switches are fully connected (full mesh) and they implement the LAN-View bridging model.
In order to increase network availability, each end-switch is connected directly to 2 or 3 backbone switches.
 

Devices

The switches Bezeq uses at the access level are B-STDX switches and CBX500 switches. The B-STDX switch implements Frame Relay protocol. This switch is connected to a CBX500 switch which implements Frame Relay (and is capable of implementing ATM too).

The customers can use any one of the Legacy protocols: LMI, CCITT Annex A, ANSI Annex-D, NNI. Most customers use the ANSI Annex-D protocol.
The access line speeds Bezeq offers are 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048 Kbps.

The end equipment (Router etc.), at the customer side, is connected via a transmission line of 64 kbps to 2 Mbps to the Digital Data Network, that is based upon Fiber Optics. This transmission line connects the LAN networks via several Permanent Logical Links (PLL). The Logical Links are defined in advance, and so we avoid the delay caused by connection establishment. The bandwidth needed for the implementation is assigned dynamically by the network.

To learn more about Frame Relay devices

Bezeq's frame relay service offers a high level of availability, with almost no service interrupts. The data stream automatically bypasses network faults, if they occur. The network control center supervises all the network activity by operating control programs which receive Real-Time data on the status of the network, and remote control on the network switches and transmission media.

Nowadays Bezeq is building an ATM network which is based on the Frame Relay switches. This network will offer customers a better performance communication. The ATM network will support more user applications.
Bezeq is also examining the possibility of using international lines, and is negotiating with companies like AT&T on this subject.

Advantages over Leased Lines

In order to achieve full connection between hosts using leased line technology, one needs several lines and multiple end devices, as shown in the figure below :
 

But, when using frame relay technology, only one access line is needed to get full connection (see below). The PLLs between any two hosts are defined in advance, enables a direct access through the network.