1.5 Assembling and Cabling WAN Components
1.5.1 Network overview
To build the network, you must select equipment for various company sites. Equipment needs vary by site. The Figure illustrates common remote solutions that are used to build a remote-access network. Typical site router considerations and their needs follow.

When dealing with the central site, you will learn how to connect necessary components to allow WAN connections such as Frame Relay and ISDN PRI connections to the branch office. You will also see ISDN BRI and asynchronous connections to the telecommuter site.

The central-site router must have the following interfaces:

  • PRI interface for ISDN PRI and asynchronous calls service unit (CSU/DSU) (If you are in North America, you must provide the CSU/DSU)
  • Modem for asynchronous calls
  • Serial interface for Frame Relay connections
  • Ethernet connection to access resources on the central-site LAN and connect to the Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server

When installing a branch-office router, you will learn how to identify and connect the necessary components to allow WAN connections such as Frame Relay and ISDN BRI connections to the central-site router.

The branch-office router must have the following interface:

  • Serial interface for Frame Relay connections
  • BRI interface for ISDN BRI

When providing for a telecommuter site using routers such as a Cisco 700 series, you will learn how to identify and connect the necessary components to allow a WAN connection such as ISDN BRI to the central-site router. You will also learn how to configure a mobile user with a PC and a modem to allow an asynchronous connection to a company site router. The telecommuter site must have the following interfaces:

  • PC and modem for asynchronous dialup calls
  • BRI interface for ISDN BRI

You also need to work with your service provider to make the proper connections into the provider’s network. Your lab will connect to equipment that will simulate a service provider’s network.