Cisco 2600 Dial Backup

[nettech98]

We have a Cisco 2600 series router connected to a frame-relay T1 with 2 PVCs - one to a network 'hub' site and one to another remote location. The router is configured to initiate an ISDN call to the hub site upon loss of connection. The problem is that it's looking for the whole line to drop. We have had it happen more than once where our line stays up, and we have connectivity to the remote site, but our connection to the hub site has dropped and the dial backup won't kick in. This router is leased from - and configured by - our vendor.

Is it possible to have the router look at the PVC instead of the whole line in determining when to initiate dial backup?? If so, BRIEFLY describe how to accomplish. Thanks!

 

[spidey07]

maybe do this with dial-watch or floating static routes.

The floating-static route is a route via the ISDN interface that has a higher administrative cost than the dynamic route learned via your routing protocol. When you lose your dynmic route the static "floats" into the routing table and triggers a call.

If I remember correctly dial-watch and floating static routes are the recommended way to backup frame-relay. Also search Ciscos tech tips. This is a pretty common config.

<edit> linkified - for her pleasure Pay special attention to the different methods used and choose the one that suits you best. I like floating statics when used with spoke sites.

 

[nettech98]

Thanks for doing the extra research. The link pretty much covers it!

 

[spidey07]

sweet...there are so many ways to do dial-backup that it can get quite confusing.

word of advice - test, test, then test some more. Make sure that ISDN call disconnects like you want it otherwise you'll be hit with a surprise $20,000 bill. been there...done that...let's hope I don't do it again.

 

[Garion]

I'll second that one - I've had similar phone bills come in before, too. One word of advice. Make sure you don't have ANYTHING in your network that references the IP subnet used by the ISDN. Make sure that NOTHING knows about it - Any call to that ISDN network (Or at least to the IP on the other side) will cause it to kick in and dial. If you're using a [E]IGRP protocol, make sure that those interfaces are tagged as passive, too.

You didn't mention the routing protocol used - Statics can be difficult in this case, you really need to run EIGRP or IGRP for this to work well. Geeze, even RIP would do the trick for a network that small, but it's best just to stick in EIGRP.

- G