do I need 3 routers for this then, 2 routers and 1 router as the frame relay switch?

Do ISP's use cisco routers for there frame relay switches?

how would I set up the frame relay switch?

Carl

1) You will need the following

3 x Cisco 2501's - or similar

2 x Cisco Back to Back DCE/DTE Cables

You need to connect them as follows

R1 DTE -- Cable -- DCE R2 DCE -- Cable DTE R3

2) ISP do not use Cisco routers as frame switches - not Cisco 2501's anyway this is purely for Labs etc

3) The frame switch will be configured like this

------------------------------------

hostname R2

!

frame-relay switching <-- look up this command

!

interface Serial0

no ip address

encapsulation frame-relay

clockrate 64000

frame-relay intf-type dce

frame-relay route 103 interface Serial1 301

!

interface Serial1

no ip address

encapsulation frame-relay

clockrate 64000

frame-relay intf-type dce

frame-relay route 301 interface Serial0 103

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do I have to use 2501's ? can I not use 2600, or 1700 with serial interfaces?

can I not use 2600, or 1700 with serial interfaces?

That shouldnt be a problem, and again it all depends on the type of config you wish to perform, if Frame-Relay then as the last post you can use a Frame-Switch. I use a Cisco 2500 series (specifically 2522 router)

Just remember a few helpful hints

1. Always check the clock rate and interface

you can do this via the sh controller interface command. make sure they match correctly Ex Rtr 1:DTE->Frame switCh-> DCE-> DCE -> Rtr2:DTE

2. If not using FR, tou can test by using the interface(HDLC) for testing

3.If using Frame remember that Point-to-Point uses frame-relay interface dlci "dlci#" and and Point-to-Multipoint uses the below to build ip adjacency

Ex: Frame-relay map ip x.x.x.x dlci y braodcast, where x.x.x.x is remote ip, and y is your local dlci number"