[ax25-layer2] Still lost

[James Ewen]

pete at ae5pl.net wrote:

> The layer 3 equipment does not have to be at the digipeater site (and
> in most cases will not be).  The layer 3 equipment is interconnected
> using whatever means, including separate AX.25 links, that might be
> available. This is not tied to the Internet and, in most cases,
> amateurs will want their own backbones (I showed a few examples in my
> previous posts).  I use the word "backbones" instead of "backhauls"
> because backbones implies that each layer 2 LAN will operate
> independently while backhauls implies that the layer 2's will be
> interconnected.  What we are talking about here is having each layer
> 2 network operate independently and for users to use a layer 3 (and
> above) protocol to access the network as opposed to someone trying to
> start out with a keyboard at layer 2 to access the network.  Gateways
> already exist for APRS, Winlink, DX clusters, BBSs, etc. so
> applications written for direct access at layer 2 can exist within
> the network being described.

You better get the crayons out and draw a really pretty picture because I have 
no clue how this is going to work. I'm back to being lost again.

> On the contrary, sparsely populated areas will be better served since
> their physically wide-area LANs (as opposed to large multihop LANs)
> will be interconnected to other areas via layer 3.  One of the most
> important advantages to this method is that each LAN will be isolated
> from the layer 2 overhead (such as discovery) encountered on the
> other LANs.

As I have said before, and still maintain, how can you make connections at 
layer 3 without a physical medium?

I sure hope you draw a pretty picture.

James
VE6SRV