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Internet Service Providers
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In an ISP scenario this is typically used for special cases, test lines, etc. The main use of this feature is for a
corporate LNS handling direct point to point tunnels, e.g. from other offices or roaming users.
20.5. Accounting
RADIUS can also be used for accounting. This involves a RADIUS message at start and end of each connection,
and also interim accounting updates.
Interim accounting is done on a snapshot basis. Normally this is hourly. On the hour, within a second, the
details are recorded and then sent by RADIUS. The RADIUS updates may take many minutes to be sent and
confirmed by a RADIUS server, but the timestamp on the messages is the hourly snapshot. This is useful where
an ISP is charging differently at different times of day.
Interim updates can also be sent based on reaching a pre-set time or data usage level defines in the authentication
RADIUS response.
20.6. RADIUS Control messages
The FireBrick also supports RADIUS control messages. These can be used to disconnect a connection, or to
update the details of the connection including line speed, time or data limits, and routing (apart from the PPP
endpoint and DNS).
The update can also include change of routing table. This can be useful to move an active connection in to a
walled garden and back without ever dropping the PPP connection itself. This can be useful for credit control
systems.
20.7. PPPoE
In addition to working as a conventional LNS, the FireBrick can also be configured to operate as a PPPoE
endpoint as a BRAS. The PPPoE connections appear as if they has arrived via L2TP, so can have local IP
termination or relay via L2TP to another LNS.
The FireBrick supports baby jumbo frame negotiation to allow full 1500 byte MTU operation.
If an interface is configured to work in PPPoE BRAS mode, then it can accept packets with an additional VLAN
tag. This is passed as the NAS_PORT on RADIUS requests relating to the connection. The reply packets have
the same VLAN tag added. Where the interface is set up on VLAN 0 (untagged) then the additional VLAN tag
is only processed where there is not an interface or ppp setting for that specific VLAN configured.
Note
The FireBrick identifies TR-101 Agent Remote ID and Agent Circuit Id as called and calling identities.
It also picks up Downstream line rate. These are standard in BT GEA FTTC/FTTP services.
20.8. Typical configuration
The FB2700 is very felxible, but a typical configuration for L2TP as an ISP connected to a carrier generally
follows a standard set up. Some carriers need specific extra settings, and the FireBrick support team can provide
examples if you require.
20.8.1. Interlink subnet
A carrier will normally have an interlink - this could be a dedicated port on the FB2700 or a VLAN perhaps
via a suitable switch. In any case this is an
interface
in the configuration. Some carriers use a /30 IPv4
interlink per LNS, and some use a larger subnet covering several LNSs.