Multilink and Virtual-templates

From: Joe (joe.clyde@utah.edu)
Date: Fri Aug 10 2007 - 06:55:58 ART


    We have several sites that have multiple T1's. Currently we run bgp
between the customers and ourselves, we bgp peer to the loopbacks, then
create 3 or 4 static routes over the T1's (depending on the number of T1's)
to the respective loopbacks. When using per-packet load sharing we get a
pretty even distribution of traffic across all the links.
    With the new 6500 flex wan cards, per-packet load sharing is not
supported, so we are looking at other options. Between Multilink (MLPPP) and
virtual-templates, which is more preferred? Do they rely on each other? I
have a simple multilink set-up which is currently working-

interface Multilink1
 ip address 10.1.1.1 255.255.255.252
 no ip directed-broadcast
 load-interval 30
 ppp multilink
 multilink-group 1

interface Serial10/1/0
 no ip address
 no ip directed-broadcast
 encapsulation ppp
 load-interval 30
 tx-queue-limit 26
 ppp multilink
 multilink-group 1

X the serial interface config by 4

    Traffic is evenly distributed, so what does a virtual-template buy me?
What would be a sample config for vanilla T1's (no dial up...like most
documents on CCO) with a virtual-tmeplate? Also, very important, what if
these are all video sites? Should I mix in interleaving (LFI)?
Any thoughts, experience, ideas or other comments would be greatly
appreciated.

*Our "provider" Hardware would include 7500's, 7200's as well as 6500's
(flex wan)...FYI in case there are issues and "customer" hardware, really
anything that would terminate multiple T1's, 3600's, 2800's, et

Thanks



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