Multilink Procedure
Encyclopedia
The MultiLink Procedure (Subscription-time selectable option) exists as an added upper sublayer of the Data Link Layer
, operating between the Packet Layer and a multiplicity of single data link protocol functions (SLPs) in the Data Link Layer. A MultiLink Procedure (MLP) must perform the functions of accepting packets from the Packet Layer, distributing those packets across the available DCE
or DTE
SLPs for transmission to the DTE or DCE SLPs, respectively, and resequencing the packets received from the DTE or DCE SLPs for delivery to the DTE or DCE Packet Layer, respectively.
MLP is an extension of LAPB
that allows for multiple physical links
, thus providing better throughput. A device that has multiple LAPB links will implement MLP as an upper-layer management protocol to allocate frames to the links. MLP sees the multiple LAPB links as a pool of links for transmitting information from higher-layer protocols as frames. Higher-level software does not need to be aware that multiple links exist. The MLP layer handles distributing frames among the links, and thus gives upper layers full access to the links.
Data link layer
The data link layer is layer 2 of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. It corresponds to, or is part of the link layer of the TCP/IP reference model....
, operating between the Packet Layer and a multiplicity of single data link protocol functions (SLPs) in the Data Link Layer. A MultiLink Procedure (MLP) must perform the functions of accepting packets from the Packet Layer, distributing those packets across the available DCE
Data circuit-terminating equipment
A data circuit-terminating equipment is a device that sits between the data terminal equipment and a data transmission circuit. It is also called data communications equipment and data carrier equipment...
or DTE
Data terminal equipment
Data Terminal Equipment is an end instrument that converts user information into signals or reconverts received signals. These can also be called tail circuits. A DTE device communicates with the data circuit-terminating equipment...
SLPs for transmission to the DTE or DCE SLPs, respectively, and resequencing the packets received from the DTE or DCE SLPs for delivery to the DTE or DCE Packet Layer, respectively.
MLP is an extension of LAPB
LAPB
Link Access Procedure, Balanced implements the data link layer as defined in the X.25 protocol suite. LAPB is a bit-oriented protocol derived from HDLC that ensures that frames are error free and in the right sequence. LAPB is specified in and ISO/IEC 7776...
that allows for multiple physical links
Data link
In telecommunication a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving information. It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver and the interconnecting data telecommunication circuit...
, thus providing better throughput. A device that has multiple LAPB links will implement MLP as an upper-layer management protocol to allocate frames to the links. MLP sees the multiple LAPB links as a pool of links for transmitting information from higher-layer protocols as frames. Higher-level software does not need to be aware that multiple links exist. The MLP layer handles distributing frames among the links, and thus gives upper layers full access to the links.