Lab 3.4.2: Configuring PPP compression

Objectives:

  • Enable compression on an asynchronous link.

Scenario:

The Atlanta Bread Company is again reviewing the costs incurred by the Macon office for dialin access to the core router. The CTO has recommended that Stacker compression be added to the asynchronous link between Atlanta and Macon to maintain compatibility with the Cisco 700 series. You will configure compression between the Atlanta core router and the Macon remote office.

Notes: 

Lab Tasks:

  1. Log into the Atlanta router and enter global configuration mode.
  2. Configure the serial interface for stacker compression. The command to configure the serial interface is:

Atlanta(config)#interface serial 0/1
Atlanta(config-if)#ppp compression stacker
Atlanta(config-if)#ip tcp header-compression

Below is a brief description of each of the above commands:

PPP compression stacker The Stacker (LZS) compression algorithm will be used. Stacker is CPU intensive.
IP tcp header-compression Compresses only the headers of the TCP packet and disables fast switching.
  1. Write the configuration to memory.
  2. Log into the Macon router and enter global configuration mode.
  3. Configure the serial interface to perform stacker compression. The command to configure the serial interface is:

    Macon(config)#interface serial 0/1
    Macon(config-if)#ppp compression stacker
    Macon(config-if)#ip tcp header-compression

  4. Write the configuration to memory.
  5. From the Macon router issue the following command:

    Macon#ping atlanta
  6. Setup an FTP server or web server on the Atlanta fastethernet segment and a workstation with FTP client software on the Macon fastethernet segment and transfer both compressed and uncompressed files. While you do this issue the following command:

Macon#show compression

Record your findings about the compression process below:

What is a negative of turning on compression?

List the other types of compression algorithms:

Congratulations! You now have squeezed every penny out of the Atlanta to Macon dialup connection!