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Frame Relay FAQ

Q:	What are the available sizes of Frame Relay, and how are they differentiated?
A:	The size of a frame relay circuit is defined by how many Kilobits of information can be transferred per second (Kbps). There are two basic types of frame relay Circuits, DS0 at 64Kbps and DS1 at 1.544Mbps (the DS stands for Digital Signaling), DS0 supports a 56kbps frame relay connection (the 8K difference between 64K and 56K is used to transfer information to maintain the circuit, the rest is available to the end customer). DS1 level Frame-Relay can either be used at the full 1.544Mbps speed or "fractionalized" which means that if the full 1.544Mbps speed is not required, a fraction of that may be used. The "fractional" sizes available are: 128K, 256K, 384K, 512K, and 768K. Fractional T1 frame relay connections offer two advantages: They are less expensive than a full T1 connection and they can easily be upgraded to a higher speed when the need arises.
Q:	Are all Frame Relay services the same?
A:	No, we offer 5 redundancy systems to all of our customers. If one of the backbone providers goes down, we have the ability to switch all traffic to another network on the fly. You will not notice any downtime. We are capable of OC12 feeds directly to all designated carriers. Often times there are hidden costs associated with the local Telephone Company, we provide you with one source billing that includes all costs associated with our Frame Relay service and the Local Telephone Company, so you dont have to deal with the telephone company.
Q:	What is Frame Relay?
A:	Frame Relay is a packet-switched, link layer, wide area networking protocol. Its endpoints are virtual, and two sites can appear to have a dedicated connection, but they may actually share networking hardware and wiring with many others. *English Translation:* Your companies LAN will be connected to the Internet to send and receive email, and browse other business websites 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q:	How long has Frame Relay been around and how long will it be around?
A:	Frame Relay first became widely deployed in the early 1990's after Cisco Systems, Digital Equipment, Northern Telecom and StrataCom formed a consortium to focus on frame relay development. It has since been adopted as a standard by the International Telecommunications Union and the American National Standards Institute. The adoption and support of these standards by major telecommunications and networking industry leaders has led to the widespread acceptance frame relay has enjoyed for the past decade, it is clear that Frame Relay is here to stay.
Q:	What is the benefit of choosing Frame Relay as an Internet solution?
A:	With Frame Relay you get the approximate speed of a point to point connection, greater reliability and monitoring capabilities than a point to point dedicated connection can offer, but you don't have to pay the expense (mileage) associated with a point to point connection.
Q:	What kind of company would use Frame Relay?
A:	Just about any company you can think of who needs a reliable, efficient method to connect themselves to the rest of the business world and their customers. The most common uses are for email and Internet applications, but you can use Frame Relay for a host of other applications. Based upon your needs we'll find the best solution for you.
Q:	What is Extreme Internet's frame relay Tech Support like?
A:	This question is best answered by reviewing our Mission Statement. We have knowledgeable, friendly engineers available 24x7x365.
Q:	What is Extreme Internet's commitment to customer service?
A:	This question is best answered by reviewing our Mission Statement. We're not happy unless you are happy. If you hate being stuck in the downward spiral of customer service known as voice mail, you will love it at Extreme. You will be connected immediately to a live person whose only job is to provide you professional and timely service.
Q:	Can I get a full T1 connection and email for free?
A:	No, we will give you the most competitive prices around, but the age-old adage applies, you get what you pay for. If you buy DSL and want Frame Relay speed and reliability you will be disappointed. A Volkswagen will not outperform a Porsche, even though the same company designed both. While they both provide transportation, they are not interchangeable.
Q:	How do I get email for everyone on my LAN by using frame relay?
A:	This can be accomplished by a few methods depending on your needs. We can set up a mail server for your LAN that will distribute all email directed to to your internal employees. Based upon your needs we'll find the best solution for you at the most affordable pricing. The objective will be for your employees to utilize technology to benefit your internal and external customers.
Q:	How do I get Internet browsing capabilities for everyone on my LAN?
A:	All you need is a dedicated connection to Extreme Internet. Frame Relay will accomplish this wonderfully.
Q:	I have specific employees who need email, will a separate POP account be required for each user on our network?
A:	Extreme Internet will provide email accounts so your employees can send and receive email from their desktop without being able to browse the Internet. These accounts are easily upgraded when you find the need for expanded service. If you wish to have three (3) employees on the Internet or checking email at the same time you will need a separate account for each person. If you want an email only account it is $5.00 per month per user.
Q:	What happens if the same POP account is accessed at the same time by two different users?
A:	Simultaneous logins are not permitted, so the second user's connection will be dropped.
Q:	Once the Local Telephone Company has installed the line to our office, who will initially connect and configure the service to our network?
A:	While we do provide technical support for all of our customers, which include router configuration and installation, and the connection of the CSU/DSU and Router to your network hub (if you purchased your Cisco router from us). We will not do your internal LAN configuration. We do have vendor agreements with companies who will provide excellent LAN support.
Q:	What hardware components will be required?
A:	The only hardware you will need to set up your frame relay is a CSU/DSU, Cable, and a Router.
Q:	What installation costs (Local Telephone & Extreme Internet) will be incurred?
A:	The installation cost varies, but can be as low as $89 charged by the Local Telephone Company. Unlike most Internet service providers we consolidate all charges so you only receive one bill, then we pay the Local Telephone Company.
Q:	How scalable is each option? Max Speed? Cost to change levels in the future?
A:	A 56K F/R is not scalable, but all others (128K, 256K, 384K, 512K, 768K and full T1) are scalable. There is a $189 reconfiguration charge when you need more bandwidth, but you wouldn't need any new hardware.
Q:	Is there a contract term that we must subscribe to with Extreme or with the Local Telephone Company?
A:	Yes, we have a one-year minimum contract. Because dedicated high-speed bandwidth is a resource it follows the laws of supply and demand. Currently bandwidth is being consumed faster than it can be produced, so the price is increasing. If you wish to guarantee a lower monthly rate you can sign up for 2, 3 or 5-year terms. If you do we offer 10%, 15% or 20% discounts and that rate would be guaranteed for your term.
Q:	What is the capacity of the proposed Internet solution for both number of users and bandwidth?
A:	This is dependent on your usage requirements (email only, Internet only or both) and the size of file transfers. A good rule of thumb for email only is 56K for 7 or fewer users, 128K for 8 to 15 users, 256K for 16 to 20 users, and 384K for 25 users. If you have 25 users that need full time Internet and email you may require more bandwidth. We will work with you to make the best recommendation for your needs.
Q:	Can Extreme Internet provide firewall solutions?
A:	Routers can be used for basic security filtering, and additional security may be offered with both hardware and software solutions. The particular solution best fitted for your company needs may be determined by calling Extreme Internet at (480) 368-4638 Ext. 6, or emailing sales@extremezone.com.
Q:	Will there be any server down time?
A:	Depending on your server you should expect little or no down time for the installation. You will need to reboot an NT server after the installation, which could take 15 minutes.
Q:	Does the frame relay connection increase our exposure to hackers and/or viruses?
A:	No, there is no increased exposure if you are using frame relay or a dial up connection. fyi~ Most damage is done through internal employees either through lack of knowledge or lack of procedures (i.e. Downloading viruses, user's giving out their passwords, etc.). With proper security procedures in place and monitorization will all but guarantee the safety of your network.
Q:	Should we upgrade our virus software?
A:	Every software maker recommends a quarterly virus protection update at a minimum. Follow their recommendations to the letter.
Q:	Will all of this be compatible with a future server upgrades?
A:	Yes, your Internet solution need only be compatible with the TCP/IP protocol. It is not dependent on your operating system.
Q:	How can we limit access to specific computers within our office?
A:	The best way is to have a trained professional in charge of your network. You can use a Proxy server to grant and restrict access. We can also allow or disallow services at the router.
Q:	How can we track web usage?
A:	We would be happy to consult with you on a case by case basis to help address your specific concerns. We also provide counters on all web pages, and we will provide weekly reports for you to view.
Q:	What happens after business has grown and I need more bandwidth?
A:	When you need more bandwidth just contact us and we'll gladly make the changes you request. You will be responsible for a $189 router reconfiguration fee.
Q:	How long will it take to install frame relay service to my business?
A:	This depends entirely on the Local Exchange Carrier, and can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks.
Q:	How stable is the Local Telephone Companies frame relay circuit?
A:	The circuit and our service are incredibly stable. Our company enjoys 99.99997% up time. Extreme Internet will coordinate all repairs with the Local Telephone Company should there be any necessary and Extreme Internet technical support is available 24x7x365 for frame relay customers if the connection is down.
Q:	Are there any Extreme charges other than the $589 set up and the monthly bandwidth charge?
A:	The $589 set up charge is actually paid to your Local Telephone Company, we include this fee simply to provide you with one bill. Other than monthly bandwidth the only other expense will be for hardware. If you wish, we will even roll that into our monthly bill. We want to make it easy for you to do business with us.
Q:	How long does it take to register your domain name?
A:	On average it takes two business days to register your domain name. The registration is immediate, but the confirmation from Internic is typically 2 business days. Internic now requires payment by Credit Card in advance.
Q:	Do I have to configure my own router and CSU/DSU?
A:	If you purchase your hardware through Extreme Internet we will configure the router and CSU/DSU, hand deliver them, and install them with a smile.
Q:	What are viable business Internet solutions?
A:	The most reliable business solutions are frame relay and ISDN. ISDN will only reach transfer speeds of 128Kbps. If you need speeds faster than 128K or you have many users frame relay would be best. There are other lower classes of services available, but they are not as reliable. Please call us and we'll be happy to discuss your current and future business needs.