What defines the end of a physical Frame Relay connection?

The end of a physical Frame Relay connection is defined by the local Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI). The DLCI is a unique identifier used to distinguish different virtual circuits on a Frame Relay network. When a data link is established, the local DLCI provides the means to direct the data through the network based on the specific virtual connection.

This concept is crucial because Frame Relay operates on a shared medium where multiple virtual circuits can exist simultaneously. Each virtual circuit is identified by its corresponding DLCI, allowing routers and switches to properly route frames to their intended destinations. Therefore, when we refer to the end of a Frame Relay connection in this context, it is the local DLCI that indicates which virtual circuit is currently active and how data should be handled on the physical network.

The other elements, such as the operational status of the Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC), the bandwidth, and the router's configuration, contribute to the functionality and management of the connection, but they do not directly define the physical endpoint itself. The operational status might indicate whether a connection is up or down, and configuration details pertain to how the device interacts with the network, but the DLCI remains the definitive identifier for the end point of the Frame Relay connection.