Expand Configuration and Management Manual (H06.21+, J06.10+)

Subsystem Description
Expand Configuration and Management Manual — 529522-013
17 - 63
Multipacket Frame Feature
Multipacket Frame Feature
The multipacket frame feature is a performance enhancement designed to increase
throughput and processor efficiency on all connection types. This subsection briefly
describes how the multipacket frame feature works so that you can effectively
configure and use this feature in your network.
This subsection includes these topics:
•
Constructing Multipacket Frames on page 17-63
•
Path Initialization on page 17-65
•
Multipacket Frame Configuration on page 17-66
•
Multipacket Frame Considerations on page 17-66
Before reading this subsection, you should be familiar with the material presented in
the subsection Expand-to-NAM Interface on page 17-49.
Constructing Multipacket Frames
When the multipacket frame feature is selected, the Expand line-handler process
combines multiple Expand packets into a single frame, called a multipacket frame,
before sending the packets to the Layer 2 protocol. How the multipacket frame is
handled by the Layer 2 protocol depends on these type of Layer 2 protocol used:
•
If the Layer 2 protocol is HDLC or HDLC Extended Mode, each multipacket frame
is handled as a single HDLC-type frame.
•
If the Layer 2 protocol is replaced by a NAM interface, such as X25AM, each
multipacket frame is handled as a single NAM message.
•
If the Layer 2 protocol is NETIP (the protocol used by Expand-over-IP line-handler
processes), each multipacket frame is handled as a separate UDP frame.
•
If the Layer 2 protocol is NETATM (the protocol used by Expand-over-ATM line-
handler processes), each multipacket frame is handled as a separate ATM frame.
When the multipacket frame feature is not selected, Expand packets are sent to Layer
2 separately. How Expand packets are handled by the Layer 2 protocol depends on
these type of Layer 2 protocol used:
•
If the Layer 2 protocol is HDLC or HDLC Extended Mode, each packet is handled
as a separate HDLC-type frame.
•
If the Layer 2 protocol is a NAM interface, each Expand packet is handled as a
separate NAM message.
Note. For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of the multipacket frames
feature, see Section
3, Planning a Network Design. For more information on how to configure
this feature, see the configuration section for the type of Exp
and line-handler process you want
to configure.