Dial access switching interface for frame relay

• US 5,999,524 A
• Filed: 06/07/1996
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beckstrom, Gary L., Farah, Paul, Corbalis, Charles, Rahman, Syed, Muthuraman, Muthu, Bearelly, Shyla
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, SEEMA SRINIVAS
• Application Number:
  US08/660,454
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 370/351, 370/352, 370/389, 370/395-397, 370/400, 370/410, 370/419, 370/420, 370/422, 370/426, 370/464, 370/468, 370/471, 370/474, 370/522, 370/524, 370/401, 370/402
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 Packet switching, X.25, frame relay

Abstract

A data communications system consists of a number of interconnected nodes forming a frame relay network. A user accesses the network by dialing in via a dial access server (DAS). The DAS-to-frame relay interface supports CCITT Recommundation Q.931 protocols for call control. A data link connection identifier (DLCI) for use in the DAS-to-frame relay network interface is provided in a Q.931 call establishment message.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting from a frame relay network access device across a dial access link to a node within a frame relay network, the dial access link supporting CCITT

Recommendation Q.931 protocols for call control, a Q.931 SETUP message having included therein a data link connection identifier (DLCI) and automatic number identification (ANI) information identifying a calling party;

setting up a connection between the node and the frame relay network access device using the DLCI; and

automatically validating the calling party using the ANI information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the DLCI is included within a channel number message element of the SETUP message.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the link is an unchannelized link.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the link is a channelized link.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically provisioning a circuit within the frame relay network according to the ANI information.