FarSync WAN T-Series MikroTik HowTo

This HowTo explains what you need to do in order to use the FarSync WAN cards for Linux with the MikroTik V2.5 PC Router software.   These instructions were compiled using Release Candidate 3 (RC3) of Version 2.5 of the Mikrotik Router product but may also be suitable for any later version.

It assumes that you already have your MikroTik router installed and running, but if you don't click here for some notes to get you up and running quickly.

This example shows how to use one of the FarSync ports as a Frame Relay link, as this is the most complicated configuration scenario.  We will use the X.21 line protocol, although in theory there is no reason why Frame Relay on V24 and V35 lines.  

The FarSync and Frame Relay  packages need to be installed before you can proceed, click here for some notes on doing this.


Starting WinBox

The easiest way to configure and manage your router is with the WinBox graphical management tool.  Although the RC3 version we tested didn't have any help, the tool was very easy to use.  However, at present, it can only be run on a Windows based machine.  You can download a copy of the tool from the router, as it was installed with the core system.  This is done as follows:

Start a Web Browser on a Windows based machine and enter the IP address of the MiKroTik Router as the URL. Choose to download the WinBox and run it (instead of saving it to disk).  This will start the following login dialog box.

Complete the login details and click OKWinBox will then display its main screen.

Click on the Interfaces menu item to display all the hardware interfaces that the MikroTik router has detected in your system.

In our system, there is the ethernet card (ether1) and four ports from a FarSync T4P (farsync1 - farsync4), two ports from a FarSync T2P (farsync5 and farsyn6) and two ports from another FarSync T2P (farsync7 and  farsync8).  The first thing to notice is that the farsync ports are greyed out, and have a X against them in the first column.  This means that the ports are disabled.

This HowTo will show how to configure the farsync1 port as an externally clocked Frame Relay link.

Enabling and Configuring Interfaces

To enable an interface it must be selected and then the tick  button clicked.  This will result in the following display.

 To configure the interface double-click on the farsync1 entry.

This will display a property sheet for the interface.  The defaults for the General are ok, so first select the Synchronous tab.

Here we need to change the Line Protocol from sync ppp to frame relay, and the Media Type from v35 to x21.

Next, select the Frame Relay properties.

Here we will need to know which LMI type is supported by the network provider of  the Frame Relay service.  In this example the defaults will be OK.  Press OK to confirm the configuration.

Creating a Frame Relay PVC

We have created a Frame Relay link, and now we need to create a PVC on that link, and assign it a DLCI.  The PVC is also an interface, and is therefore created from the Interface List screen.

From the Interface List press the Plus button to reveal the list of interfaces that can be created.

 Select Framerelay PVC.  This will display the PVC properties sheet.

The defaults on the General tab are OK, so select PVC.

Select the required DLCI number, which should be assigned by the Frame Relay network provider, and select which link interface is belongs to, in this case farsync1.

Press OK to confirm the configuration.

The Interface List now includes the PVC.

IP Address Assignment

We now need to provide an IP address for this end of the Point-to-Point connection.  To do this select the IP menu item, and then Addresses from the submenu.

This will result in the following display.

Here we see the IP address assignment we made for the LAN card earlier on with the setup command.  We need to add a new interface so click the plus button in the toolbar.

Insert the required address, and use the ... button to select the netmask for the connection (usually 24).  Finally select the Interface that the address is assigned to, in our case farsync1.

Press OK to confirm the configuration.

The new address appears in the Address List.

Testing the Connection

Finally, the connection can be testing with the Ping tool.  From the menu list select Tools, and then Ping from the submenu.

This will display the Ping screen.

Set the Ping To field to the address of the remote end of the Frame Relay PVC connection. and then hit the Ping button.


Copyright © 2002 FarSite Communications Limited.
Last updated: 21 Jan 2002