A Better Mouse Trap

[mrashby]

Hey All,

I need some input on a better way to accomplish something. Here is the situation: I have WAN with 80+ sites all sites using cisco 2501 or 2600 series routers. Currently there is on average 20 users at each site with mail and file servers at the locations. My dilema is everytime one of my sites goes down I have to setup a dial up link to get basic connectivity. I don't have to explain that this isn't satisfactory due to the data, email and replication traffic coming off of the servers. Does anyone know of a better or different way to temporarily connect to my sites when the main T-1 connection is down. I am open to all ideas. Thanks

[Kevin Dorrell]

I prefer to use floating statics. I have an ISDN BRI available at each site, and a PRI interface at the central site. I have a static default route from the remote site to the central site via the T1 line (or in my case the E1 line). I then have a dialer profile from the remote site to the central, using the BRI ISDN connection. I make another default route from the remote site to the central via the dialer profile, but with a high administrative distance, say 240. This way, the route via the ISDN does not get dialled until the main serial line goes down. If server traffic is a problem on the ISDN line, I can apply traffic shaping to give my management traffic priority.

The floating static scheme works even if you are using a routing protocol, and even if you cannot detect the line down directly; just make sure that the administrative distance of the floating static is greater than that of your routing protocol.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk801/tk133/technologies_configuration_example09186a0080093f7e.shtml

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk713/tk237/technologies_configuration_example09186a00800a3b77.shtml

Alternatively, you could just use the backup command to trigger you dialup link:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk801/tk133/technologies_configuration_example09186a008009455d.shtml

Kevin Dorrell

Luxembourg