Chapter 11. PPPoE

Table of Contents

The FB2900 can either operate as a PPPoE client or as a PPPoE endpoint Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS). A client connection is typically used to connect to an Internet Service Provider, either via a suitable PPPoE modem, bridging router, or direct connection. The PPPoE BRAS functionality might be used by service providers to provide connectivity, acting as a gateway between a carrier network (e.g. Broadband or mobile carrier) and the Internet.

11.1. PPPoE client

The typical usage is to use one or more ports on the FB2900 each connected directly to a suitable PPPoE device such as a bridging router.

The PPPoE device is usually very dumb and may not need any configuration at all. The FireBrick is responsible for logging in to the ISP using the PPPoE link, and the configuration for this is part of the FB2900's configuration and not the router. This makes it very easy to make use of spare routers, etc, without the complication of configuring additional devices.

It is possible to connect more than one PPP device to a single FB2900 port using an Ethernet switch. If you do this then you ideally need a switch that handles VLANs (see Appendix E if you are not familiar with VLANs) so that each router can be logically connected to a different interface on the FireBrick. It is also a good idea to have a switch that supports jumbo frames where the endpoint supports them (FTTC, FTTP, and via suitable modems BT 21CN and TalkTalk).

Note

This section contains information relating to access network services (such as DSL and Fibre-To-The-Cabinet) available in the United Kingdom. Although this information will not be directly applicable to services available in other countries, the concepts are the same - with appropriate knowledge of your ISP service, and suitable equipment, the FB2900 should work equally well with services that are available in other countries.


10.3. Basic principles		11.2. Types of DSL line and router in the United Kingdom