F.15. Notes

F.15.1. BT specific notes

The L2TP and PPP specifications are clear that the HDLC framing bytes are not sent or received within the L2TP packet. However, BT send type bytes (FF03) on the start of all PPP frames. This is silently discarded. Also, BT will not process packets if these type bytes are not included in outgoing packets. Sending the HDLC framing can be controlled in the config and on a per session basis using a Filter-Id in RADIUS authentication response.

BT sometimes negotiate incorrect MRUs on behalf of the LNS. Where the L2TP proxy details indicate and incorrect MRU has been negotiated then LCP negotiation is restarted and the correct MRU negotiates. This helps avoid various issues with fragmentation on some services on the internet when the broadband fully supports 1500 byte MTU. This is also relevant where the FB6000 is deliberately configured to use a smaller MRU for example when the L2TP connection is remote via a 1500 MTU link.

There are options using Filter-Id from RADIUS to force LCP restart. However this does confuse some ppp implementations as it is after authentication is complete. This can be useful where BT have provided an incorrect MRU for the end user (another bug). There is also an option to forward 1500 byte packets rather than fragmenting them. When enabled ICMP is still generated for DF and IPv6.

F.15.2. IP over LCP

IP over LCP is a non standard coding of PPP packets for IPv4 and IPv6. The coding uses the LCP code (C021) instead of the IPv4 (0021) or IPv6 (0057) code. The first byte which would normally be the LCP type is 0x4X (IPv4) or 0x6X (IPv6). The FireBrick assumes any such LCP codes are IPv4/IPv6 when received, and using a RADIUS response can send IP packets using LCP. This is specifically to bypass any carrier IP specific shaping or DPI.