# About This Guide

## How to use this guide

This guide explains how to configure and use the MAX as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or telecommuting hub. This guide contains:

- Chapter 1, Getting Acquainted with the MAX, lists the MAX features as they apply to an ISP or telecommuting hub application.

- Chapter 2, Configuring the MAX for WAN Access, shows you how to configure the MAX for various types of WAN connectivity.

- Chapter 3, Configuring WAN Links, explains how to set up your connections for PPP, MP+, Combinet, or Frame Relay protocols.

- Chapter 4, Configuring Frame Relay, explains how to set up your connections for Frame Relay.

- Chapter 6, Configuring X.25, describes X.25 support on the MAX.

- Chapter 7, Defining Static Filters, explains how filters work and how to define filters.

- Chapter 8, Configuring Packet Bridging, explains how to configure the MAX for bridging.

- Chapter 9, Configuring IPX Routing, explains how to configure the MAX for IPX routing.

- Chapter 10, Configuring IP Routing, explains how to configure the MAX for IP routing.

- Chapter 11, Configuring OSPF Routing, explains this Internet routing protocol.

- Chapter 12, Setting Up IP Multicast Forwarding, explains how to configure multicast forwarding.

- Chapter 13, Setting Up Virtual Private Networks, explains setting up these networks through ATMP and PPTP protocols.

- Chapter 14, MAX System Administration, explains how to administer and manage the MAX.

- Appendix A, Troubleshooting, helps you correct problems that can occur during or after configuration.

- Appendix B, Upgrading System Software, explains how to upgrade the MAX system software.

This guide also includes an index.

## What you should know

This guide is for the person who configures and maintains the MAX. To configure the MAX, you need to understand the following:

- Wide area network (WAN) concepts

- Local area network (LAN) concepts, if applicable

## Documentation conventions

This section explains all the special characters and typographical conventions in this manual.

#### Convention | #### Meaning
--- | ---
Monospace text | Represents text that appears on your computer's screen, or that could appear on your computer's screen.
`Boldface mono-space text` | Represents characters that you enter exactly as shown (unless the characters are also in italics-see Italics, below). If you could enter the characters, but are not specifically instructed to, they do not appear in boldface.
Italics | Represent variable information. Do not enter the words themselves in the command. Enter the information they represent. In ordinary text, italics are used for titles of publications, for some terms that would otherwise be in quotation marks, and to show emphasis.
[ ] | Square brackets indicate an optional argument you might add to a command. To include such an argument, type only the information inside the brackets. Do not type the brackets unless they appear in bold type.
| | Separates command choices that are mutually exclusive.
> | Points to the next level in the path to a parameter. The parameter that follows the angle bracket is one of the options that appears when you select the parameter that precedes the angle bracket.
Key1-Key2 | Represents a combination keystroke. To enter a combination keystroke, press the first key and hold it down while you press one or more other keys. Release all the keys at the same time. (For example, Ctrl-H means hold down the Control key and press the H key.)
Press Enter | Means press the Enter, or Return, key or its equivalent on your computer.
Note: | Introduces important additional information.
Caution: | Warns that a failure to follow the recommended procedure could result in loss of data or damage to equipment.
Warning: | Warns that a failure to take appropriate safety precautions could result in physical injury.

## Manual set

The MAX 6000 Series Documentation Set consists of the following manuals:

- ISP and Telecommuting Configuration Guide (this guide)

- Getting Started

- MIF Supplement

- RADIUS Configuration Guide

- Reference Guide

- Security Supplement

## Related publications

This guide and documentation set do not provide a detailed explanation of products, architectures, or standards developed by other companies or organizations.

Here are some related publications that you may find useful:

- The Guide to T1 Networking, William A. Flanagan

- Data Link Protocols, Uyless Black

- The Basics Book of ISDN, Motorola University Press

- ISDN, Gary C. Kessler

- TCP/IP Illustrated, W. Richard Stevens

- Firewalls and Internet Security, William R. Cheswick and Steven M. Bellovin

Copyright © 1998, Ascend Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.