We have been configuring and working with multilink ppp for quite some time now and in a lot of different scenarios. One question i have always had is related to syntax and config choice: multilink interface configuration Vs virtual-template configuration. I know it is very common for us, as well as for many other cisco partners, to use a configuration similar to the following:
!
interface multilink number
ip address address mask
ppp multilink
ppp multilink group number
!
interface serial number1
no ip address
encapsulation ppp
ppp multilink
ppp multilink group number
!
interface serial number2
no ip address
encapsulation ppp
ppp multilink
ppp multilink group number
I have heard this referred to as "multilink bundle configuration" or "multilink interface configuration" and it functions fine on a single unit. Apparently though, at least from what I'm seeing in the config docs, this is targetted towards Distributed MLP.
On a single unit, the IOS 15.0 Dial Configuration Guide calls for the use of virtual-templates:
!
interface loopback number
ip address number mask
!
multilink virtual-template number
!
interface virtual-template number
ip unnumbered loopback number
ppp multilink
!
interface serial number1
no ip address
encapsulation ppp
ppp multilink
!
interface serial number2
no ip address
encapsulation ppp
ppp multilink
!
Either configuration works fine on a single router. I'm sure there are operational differences between the two but I've never really run into a situation where a particular features does or does not work with either one. This is not really a problem, just a curiousity. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
