An IS Frame Relay VPN solution provides virtual separation at a layer two level, while still providing all the advantages of using a shared, packet-switched network. A Frame Relay VPN guarantees the separation of IP address space, thus providing a greater degree of security from network intrusion and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. Frame Relay solutions lend themselves to “burst” data applications, where the provision of a “burst” capability allows guaranteed bandwidth, which has been provisioned, to be exceeded for short periods of time, provided that other customers are not using all of the bandwidth provisioned to them.
In order to provide international Frame Relay solutions, IS has deployed a Frame Relay node in London. From the IS London PoP, it is possible to either connect a leased line to IS’ Frame Relay switch, or to continue via a “network to network interconnection” (NNI) into a partner Frame Relay network. Thus, IS can provide its customers with Frame Relay solutions on a global basis.
Unlike a Guaranteed Internet Bandwidth solution, a IS Frame Relay VPN solution does not provide connectivity to the public Internet. Where a user of an IS Frame Relay VPN solution requires a VPN to have access to the public Internet, this would need to be provisioned separately, usually via a firewall, in order to preserve the security of the VPN.