WAN design

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Frame relay would work perfectly for your situation if you are in a major metro area. This would be the simplest option with little overhead for you to administer. I currently support a network that is a "spoke and hub" configuration because I cannot do frame relay in my area. This works well for me. You might want to research a Spoke and Hub vpn setup to see if this is right for you. Hope this helps.

Check Cisco site you will find tons of materials there. Also Check MPLS availablity with service providers, Frame relay is getting older.
Thx,

There are lots of answers to your question. I know only a few of them.

Run your own wire/glass. If you're in a position where you can dig a trench, do it.

Microwave provides high bandwidth where you can't dig a trench.

Point-to-point generally cost effective if you need to go through your telco and can work with a star topology.

If you are going to choose one method for a varied number of locations, Frame Relay may be your best bet.

I've not used MPLS, but it appears to be a solution much like Frame Relay with the addition of packet priorization.

VPNs can be a viable solution. You just need to go to a level of sophistication beyond what you're currently doing (buy a better router).

There may be other solutions available. For example if you happen to be sitting on a Sonet ring, the provider may let you tap in.

My first draft of this response was much longer, but I didn't want to write your paper for you. :)

One expensive way to do it is leased lines, other Frame Relay, ATM, MPLS, IP/VPN. On all cases, you will need a router that supports the media/protocol you'd chosen; as stated smallest Cisco's routers will do, some will need IOS upgrade. Proper IP addressing is mandatory.

GO on CISCO.com it can help u to get DATA .

Matt , here is some real world info for you ! Since you have more than 2 sites to connect you can't set up a point to point (pp) WAN . So , Frame Relay is old but relatively a cheap ( montly bill and the first investment ) means used by thousands of companies . Anyway , you need to design your headquarter's and branch offices' internal ips and the wan ips .(network masks ) . Whatever technology you choose you have to apply these addresses to the lan and wan ports of the router you are going to use ( I advise cisco ). Of course you will need high speed modems to connect to the wan cloud from your routers serial wan port . Go for a high bandwith 256k CIR , 512k or even 1 Mb EIR . Cisco site has good example configurations and schemas . In fact some of the symbols used by cisco have become de facto standart symbols . You have to use those in your paper. Better if it looks from the number 1 source .

Hi

There are plenty of solutions available for your scenario

First Solution

You can have a direct lease line connetion from the PTT, in this case u need one NTU 2604, a cisco router (pref 1800 series with 1WIC Card) at remote sites and 2600 series router will be fine at main site with 2T Wan Interface Cards and ofcourse NTU's. Its a DDN connection (point to point)

Secondly if your remote sites are connected to the ISP then you can have VPN connection a cisco router with VPN concentrator can do this or else a PIX firewall call also be used to establish a VPN connection.

Thridly you can have a MPLS connection from ur PTT.

I have provided u a brief information, it can be explained in more detailed way,,

cheers,

Yasir

Unfortunately it would take more space than is allotted to answer your question. There is not really one source you can go to for information on WAN design the answer is it depends. There are general rules or bullets that you can use as a guide line:
1. What type of traffic and how many people are going to be using the link?
a. VOIP or any heavy traffic?
2. Is the traffic mission critical to the company? (Accessing DB, e-mail, etc.)
3. What is the pain or money factor the company is willing to spend?
4. Factor in all requiring costs
5. How are these groups going to access the main network? Do you have a router available?
6. Maintenance of the links and routers must also be done by someone.
DSL with VPN is an option if data is not mission critical or there are less than 20 people accessing the link. T1 links with Frame is a good alternative if the pain factor is high and the data is mission critical. Use the Tech Republic guide for determining the type of router (https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1035_11-5728608.html). For more information on gathering information and basic design look at CCNA material.
One final note: If the IT staff is small or not experienced check with ISP?s or Telco?s who can provide the soup to nuts.

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