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4. Configuring WANPIPE

WANPIPE includes several subsystems, each requiring its own configuration and initialization. Typically, bringing up WANPIPE involves the following steps: They are performed by WANPIPE initialization script /usr/lib/wanpipe/wanpipe that relies on WANPIPE configuration file (/etc/wanpipe.conf). WANPIPE configuration file is a plain ASCII text file that can be edited with any text editor, such as vi. However, we recommend using an interactive WANPIPE configuration script (/usr/lib/wanpipe/configure), featuring easy to use interface and extensive error checking.

To start WANPIPE configuration script log in as a superuser (root), change directory to /usr/lib/wanpipe and type

./configure

During configuration you can view curent SDLA configuration at any time by selecting "show configuration" from the main menu.

Defining SDLA Hardware Configuration

This step is needed to inform WANPIPE of the hardware installed in your system and its configuration.

Select "configure adapter" from the main menu. You will be asked a number of questions pertaining to your adapter hardware configuration. Use the SDLA configuration checklist you prepared during the SDLA installation to answer these questions (refer to the Chapter 2, "Installing SDLA Card" for details).

Repeat this step if you want to configure additional SDLA cards.

Defining WAN Links and Network Interfaces

During this step you will define WAN links used for transferring data and network interfaces used by Linux protocol stack to route TCP/IP traffic over those links. Here, by WAN link we mean physical connection to the network which includes SDLA card running compatible network protocol firmware and bound to appropriate WANPIPE protocol-specific module.

Network interface is a standard way for Linux protocol stack to communicate with various networking devices, such as ethernet cards, asynchronous potrs, etc. Interfaces are known to Linux operating systems by their names (you can view all interfaces configured into your system by issuing command 'cat /proc/net/dev'). Unlike link, interface is a logical category, i.e. several interfaces can use the same physical link and one interface can use several physical links.

In trivial case, single network interface is created for each WAN link. However, many WAN protocols (e.g. frame relay and X.25) support logical channels, allowing multiplexing of several data streams over a single physical link. In this case network interfaces are created on per logical channel basis to fully exploit network capabilities.

To define a WAN link select "bind adapter" from the main menu. A list of configured SDLA cards will appear. Select a card you want to use for this link, then select appropriate WAN protocol. If protocol you selected requires additional configuration (e.g. selecting logical channels), you will be asked whether you want to configure link now. If you decide to skip this step, you will have to configure links at some point later by selecting "configure link" from the main menu.

For more information on configuring WANPIPE data links refer to the appropriate section of the next chapter, "Configuring Protocol-Specific Subsystems".

Repeat these steps if you want to create additional WAN links. Finally, select "q" from the main menu to exit WANPIPE configuration script.

Note that WANPIPE configuration script merely updates WANPIPE configuration file and does not affect actual state of hardware and WAN links. For the configuration changes to take an effect WANPIPE must be restarted (more on that later).

Configuring Network Interfaces

When all network interfaces are defined you will have to configure them at the TCP/IP level. This is a routine step in any network configuration and it is accomplished using Linux ifconfig and route utilities. If you are not proficient in this area yet, please consult Linux Network Administration Guide by Olaf Kirch, available at

ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/linux-doc-project/network-guide/*

and related Linux HOWTO's:

ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/NET-2-HOWTO ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO

To simplify TCP/IP-level initialization, WANPIPE offers yet another script, ifinit, located in /usr/lib/wanpipe directory. This script uses configuration files located in /usr/lib/wanpipe/ifi directory and can be quite handy if you have large number of network interfaces to set up. Note that this script is as generic as possible and therefore can be used for setting up any Linux network interfaces, not just those created by WANPIPE.

For each interface you want configured by ifinit script, simply create a file named after that interface in /usr/lib/wanpipe/ifi directory (sample files are included with the distribution). Edit that file as needed (i.e. specify the actual IP addresses, network mask, etc.). Note that although configuration files in /usr/lib/wanpipe/ifi do not contain executable commands, they are actually "executed" by Linux shell, so the usual shell script syntax should be observed (bash shell is currently assumed).

Note that ifinit is run automatically by WANPIPE initialization script, so that WANPIPE can be completely initialized by single command.

Bringing Up and Shutting Down WANPIPE

When all configuration files are set up you can start WANPIPE by executing its initialization script. If your system uses System V -like bootstrap procedure and WANPIPE initialization script was properly linked to appropriate system directories during WANPIPE installation, you may simply reboot your system, otherwise change directory to /usr/lib/wanpipe and run the script manually:

./wanpipe start

If you do not want to type this command manually each time you start WANPIPE then find a proper system boot-time initialization script and add this command to the script. The actual location of this script depends on your particular Linux distribution. In most cases it is /etc/rc.d/rc.M.

Note that WANPIPE should be initialized before Linux TCP/IP initialization script is run (usually /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1). For more information consult documentation available for your Linux distribution.

During the execution WANPIPE initialization script displays messages on the screen and logs more extensive information into WANPIPE log file (/var/log/wanpipe). If you encounter errors during WANPIPE initialization check the log file and refer to chapter 6 "Trouble Shooting and Diagnostics".

To shut down WANPIPE execute the same command with "stop" argument:

./wanpipe stop


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