Appletalk over Multilink PPP

bbrunette · ‎03-28-2002

We are using MLP to bond two T1's together and are having problems with Appletalk. The Appletalk routes appear in the routing table and I can ping between the Multilink interfaces, but can't ping or access anything on the ethernet on the far side. This problem only happens if both T1 lines are up. If I shutdown one of the serial interfaces, then everything works fine. Also, IP and IPX are having no problems.

Does anybody have any idea why this isn't working? Thanks in advance for your help.

ssoberlik · ‎04-04-2002

Make sure you are using virtual templates, as Cisco does not support dialer commands in this configuration.

bbrunette · ‎04-05-2002

Can you expand on this a little? Are you saying that we must use virtual templates to make Appletalk work? We are not using virtual templates, but we are not using dialer commands either. We are simply defining two serial interfaces with PPP encapsulation and using the 'multilink-group 1' statement to make them part of the 'Multilink1' interface.

ssoberlik · ‎04-10-2002

The requirement for a virtual-template is due to the fact when the MPPP bundle members consist of different serial (or non-dialer) interfaces, the bundle master (virtual-access interface) must be cloned from a single dialer interface requiring a virtual-template to satisfy the dialer interface requirement. The multilink-group might work if you were bridging the appletalk, but from your note that doesn't seem to be the case. Give Cisco's TAC a shout if you need more details on this. Keep in mind there are archived bugs out there on access lists and route maps being ignored on multilink-group interfaces which may or may not have been resolved.

One other thing to look at is the "appletalk maximum-paths" command. This defines the maximum number of equal-cost paths the router should use when balancing the traffic load. Put that under the microscope as well. Good luck.