WARNING! This document is getting to be very out of date!
New stuff: you may be intersted in X.25 and Frame Relay for Linux, or the Linux Enterprise Computing Page
Unrelated stuff: Check out my chaotic art gallery. Also, how about an on-line air travel ticketing system?
The market is changing very rapidly, with new vendors comming out with new products at a fast rate. The original draft of this article was prepared in August 1994, and much of the information below is already stale.
I don't know how many PC's have the high-speeds (128Kbs) serial port UARTs that can handle ISDN speeds. I am also told that shallow buffers on most UART's means that your host operating system will service a lot of interrupts a second -- putting a big load on your computer.
One can buy high speed serial cards (with V.35 or RS422 connectors) that can handle ISDN BRI and/or PRI/T1 speeds, and hook the TA or CSU/DSU to that.
An alternative is to buy a separate serial-port-to-ethernet bridge/router, and hook up the TA to that.
check out LinkISDN for a broad assortment of low-level ISDN drivers, software, etc.
A local reseller is ISYS in Hurst Texas, 817-428-4475
EveryWare CB-150 & CB-160
EveryWare CL-200 and CB-200
EveryWare CB-400
Notes:
User testimonial on compression: > Compression is up to 4:1, but I typically see 1.8 to 1 with data and > executables. Pure text runs in the upper 3:1's.
Doesn't support ISDN directly. You need a high-speed ISDN terminal adapter to use this product.
MicroRouter 1000R
o List Price $1695
o 1 ethernet port (thicknet-AUI, thinnet-BNC and 10BaseT)
o 1 high speed serial port (RS-232, to 112Kbps)
o 1 low speed serial port (RS-232, for out of band mangament)
o management by telnetting in. Events can be sent to syslog file.
o auto-dial on demand
o PPP support, "interoperates with other PPP compliant routers".
o "available through a local distributor" e.g.
Ingram Micro 1-800-456-8000
Tech Data 1-800-237-8931
CrossCom
Marlborough, Mass.
1-800-388-1200
Dallas Sales rep Lou Matthis (214)-247-5221
Announced but not yet available XL2 (avail in octember??)
The XL2 is a router --
o 1 ethernet port (AUI 15-pin and thinnet BNC and 10BaseT rj-45 jack)
(other models have TokenRing STP and UTP connectors)
o 1 "wan" port
o 1 "wan" to ISDN pigtail
o 1 serial port (rs232) for configuration & setup
o CanNOT telnet into it for sys management. Must use serial port/vt100.
o full snmp support
To get a complete, working system you need:
$995 -- hardware
$1500 -- microcode
$185 -- isdn pigtail ("wan" connector to RJ45 (?) BRI s/t)
$115 -- "isdn personality simms"
DigiBoard
1-(800)-344-4273
"IMAC"
1 BRI s/t (rj-45 connector)
1 thin-net (BNC) ethernet connector
1 thick-net (AUI 15-pin ???) ehternet connector
1 serial port (RS 232 ???)
config via telnet or serial-port
$1695 list price
HBM/datagraf
Router
$1195 w/o built in NT-1
Reseller Nelson McKinney (512)-288-3999
Network Express
Ann Arbor, Mich.
(313)-761-5005
info@nei.com
http://branch.com/netexpress/overview.html
Thier cheapest product supports 8 B channels, at $6K. Clearly not for
home use. Contact manufacturer for more detail.
Symplex
313-995-1555
They have router for $495 (sept 1996)
symplex.com
Xyplex ????
3Com
(408)-764-5000
Lots of products, none support ISDN directly.
NetBuilder series, in the $2K+ range, bridge between ethernet &
serial ports. A 3rd party ISDN "terminal adapter" will get you ISDN
connectivity. This was out of my price range. Contact 3Com directly
for more info.
Software routers
Novell
Provo, UT
1-800-netware
"Netware Multiprotocol Router Plus v2.11"
This is a software-ONLY router -- i.e. if you have a PC with an
ethernet card in it, and an ISDN card in it, then this software
will turn your PC into a router. Netware comes bundled with this
system. The catch -- its a single-user system; you have to dedicate
your PC to be a full-time router; you cannot use it for other,
non-dedicated purposes.
Salesman did not know whether there were any certified ISDN cards.
Software only -- $1495
Your dedicated PC & ISDN cards -- $ ???
--------------------------------------------------------------------
University of Illinois
NCSA Router
software router
see also RADIUS caller dail-in/out managment database s/w
Here is some info on using and old XT or AT as a router.
Unfortunately, this deals with routing from one ethernet subnet to another; the PC-ROUTE software does not seem to support any of the isdn cards at this point.
PC Boards, ISA and MicroChannel
Network Computing Magazine Sept 1 1994 issue has in-depth review
and commentary of four ISDN PC adapters. The information there is far
more complete than that below.
Contact Network Computing at: ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
diehl isdn GmbH
Bahnhofstrasse 63
D-7250 Leonberg
Germany
Tel. 49/7152/93 29 0
Fax. 49/7152/93 29 99
email: bode@diehl.de
Linux driver available on all LINUX mirrors
Gene Chesser owns one of these.
Right now, talks only v.110(european), will have v.120(U.S.) later
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Digital (DEC)
http://www.digital.com/info/infosheet/EC-Z2485-36.abs.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DigiBoard
1-(800)-344-4273
http://www.digibd.com/
the "PC-IMAC"
ISA PC card
1 BRI s/t RJ-45 jack
$795 list prices
--------------------------------------------------------------------
EICON Technology
Montreal, Quebec
EiconCard ISDN/PC
This is an ISA PC card.
o BRI S/T 2B + D over single RJ45 connector.
They provide s/w for Windows, OS/2, SCO UNIX, UNIX SVR4, Netware.
I asked about LINUX. "We'll get back to you on that."
List price $1395
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Intel
RemoteExpress ISDN LAN Adapter
$499 list
Reseller -- ISDN System Corp. -- Rick Fleisher -- 703-883-0933
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ISDN-tek
San Gergorio, CA
1-(415)-712-3000
http://www.psi.com/iramp-solutions/isdntek.html
info@isdntek.com
CyberSpace Internet Card
o BRI (2B+D) support, 8-wire RJ45 connector to S/T interface
o 1/2 size ISA bus card
o "compatible with TCP/IP and PPP software"
o comes with "WinISDN" windows drivers, DOS & OS/2 also available.
o uses only one B-channel at a time (future cards will use two B's)
o See web page for more info
--------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM
1-800-426-3333 general
1-800-426-2968 order placement
1-800-772-2227 pre-sales tech info help
1-800-IBM-3395, request brochure 13403
A complete description is available via anonymous ftp:
ftp://ibminet.awdpa.ibm.com/pub/announcements/193-305
IBM WaveRunner ISDN Digital Modem
ISA card (also available as MicroChannel),
o currently uses 1 B channel (64Kb/sec)
o statement of direction "software upgrade will use 2 B channels"
o BRI S/T RJ-45 jack
o Additional jack for handset/headset--with future software upgrade
o Is ALSO a FAX/modem !!! -- up to v.32bis, with MNP4/5
(i.e. if the ISDN line is called by an ordinary POTS line with modem
attached, the waverunner will pretend that its a modem too!).
o list price -- $545
o Can run PPP, SLIP or V.120
-- Probably will NEVER have Linux drivers, due to complexity of Mwave
RTOS needed to run the thing.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Lion
Germany
++49 89 140 79010 Fax 79011.
Lion Digital Datapump ISDN Modem
the card costs DM530 from Germany
------------------------------------------------------------------
Network Express
http://branch.com:1080/netexpress/netexpress.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Telebit
http://www.telebit.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Terminal Adapters
A "terminal adapter" usually means a box that hooks to ISDN on one side,
and to a high-speed serial port on the other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Adtran
Adtran is known for 56/64 leased line CSU/DSU's, modems, etc. etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Box
(412)-746-5500
ISDN Terminal Adapter 128K
o 1 ISDN BRI U-loop RJ-45 connector (NT-1 is built-in)
o supports BONDING for 128Kbit throughput
o RS-232, RS-366, RS-530A, V.35 interfaces -- 2 DB25 female,
one V.35 female connector).
o Dial from front panel, or use Hayes AT dailing commands.
"or dial in-band with v.25 bis"
o $995
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Intel
800-538-3373
(503) 629-7354.
In Europe, ++44-793-431155.
RemoteExpress Terminal Adapter
o supports 2B channels (1 BRI) and 6 B channels (3 BRI lines) for bridge to
bridge communication.
o $499
Reseller:
Adam G. Tilghman atilghma@mib.org (619) 658-0743 , 703-883-0933.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
other stuff that may be of interest --
--------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM
1-800-IBM-3333 general
1-800-IBM-CALL order placement
1-800-ibm-3395 ask for document 11622
7845 NT-1 Extended --list price $350
The IBM 7845 NT1-Extended is a great NT-1 with a POTS jack.
Use 2B for ISDN or 1B for ISDN and 1B for POTS. Further-
more, it takes those COOL supplementary services and makes them
available to all your POTS phones by emulating them on POTS.
These features are:
o Speed Dialing
o Re-dial of the last number dialed
o Repetitive re-dialing of the last busy number
o Return of the last incoming call
o Call Hold
o Call Retrieve
o Call Waiting (up to 10 calls at a time, I think)
o Three to six-way conferencing
-- 6 hour off-hook battery, 18 hour on-hook
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Resellers:
> CICAT-HNS Network Products is currently offering products by DigiBoard,
> Adtran, Gandalf, and Combinet at substantial discounts off list price.
> We also offer system integration, training, and installation
> services.
>
>
> Kevin Dunetz CICAT-HNS Network Products
> ISDN Consultant 9669-D Main Street
> (703)323-7696 (phone) Fairfax, VA 22031
> (703)323-4683 (fax) Specialists in ISDN System Integration
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NetServ --
Austin TX
Dan Williams, Chris Pantuso
(512) 453-8844
Handle Ascend, Gandalf, Cisco routers
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Shopping Network
http://www.internet.net/directories.html
Use the product search menu to look for bridges, routers. Sadly, a
lot of things are mis-categorized (a token ring MAU is listed as a
"modem"). But if you know what you want, some persistent searching
will pay off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Compatibility
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Virtually all of the products above claim U-loop compatible with
Northern Telecom DMS-100 and AT&T 5ESS central office switches.
Many also claim conformance to N-ISDN. Many also claim conformance
to numerous european and japanese standards
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributors:
These folks contributed in some way to this list. Thanks to all
Jonn Martell, University of BC Computing Services.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Someone writes:
> Nope, I have three phone numbers, three spids on one line and four
> numbers and four spids on another ISDN NI1 line.
> If the phone(s) are not in use then I can use both B channels on the
> Combinets, if only a single line is in use then I can use both phone and
> bridge. For the user who has the two phones and one bridge I can use
> both phones at the same time, but not the combinet since there are no more B
> channels.
>
> My understanding that with NI1 (on att 5ESS at least) you can have up to
> 8 phone numbers and eight spids assigned to a single BRI.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
V.110 is the european rate adaptation standard, V.120 is the US.
Has to do with how the 64Kbps B channels are supporting data at lower
speeds, i.e. 57.6kbps, 19.2kbps, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The End!