Overview
Multilink frame relay (MFR) is a cost effective bandwidth solution. It is based on the FRF.16 protocol of the frame relay forum and implemented on DTE/DCE interfaces.
MFR provides MFR interfaces, a type of logical interface. An MFR interface is formed by a bundle of frame relay physical links to provide high transmission speed and bandwidth beyond the capabilities of a single link. For the purpose of this document, an MFR interface is called a "bundle" and the physical links within it are called "bundle links." A bundle manages its bundle links as shown in Figure 33.
Figure 33: An MFR bundle
The bundle links works in the physical layer, and the bundle works in the data link layer.
Configuring a bundle and its bundle links is to configure an MFR interface and its member physical interfaces.
The functionality and configuration of the MFR interface is the same as that of the FR interface. Similar to the FR interface, the MFR interface supports DTE and DCE modes, as well as QoS queuing. After physical interfaces are bundled into an MFR interface, their original network layer and frame relay link layer parameters are replaced with the parameter settings of the MFR interface.
To reduce overheads and maximize the bandwidth of an MFR interface, assign physical links of the rate rather than different rates to it.
On an MFR interface you can configure subinterfaces.