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20 ISDN |
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Articles / TULARC / PC info / Amiga / Amiga Networking / | |
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20 ISDN |
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This article is from the Amiga Networking FAQ, by Richard Norman with numerous contributions by others.
ISDN -- Integrated Services Digital Network
ISDN -- Ithaca Swing Dance Network (you never know what you'll learn on the web
;-)
Since I don't have ISDN, please forgive any mistakes, and please do check out the
other sources mentioned below.
ISDN offers all digital transfer at much higer data rates than analog lines and
modems. ISDN can also multiplex the line between several devices (you can talk to
someone while you surf the net).
ISDN lines can also handle POTS (plain old telephone service) phones. ISDN is more
expensive than the analog POTS lines. Also, different areas of the USA have
different ISDN rates and installation charges, if ISDN is even available at all.
If you want to use ISDN to connect to an Internet provider, the provider will also
charge a premium because they have to have ISDN connectivity also. Dialup ISDN is
cheaper than dedicated service, of course.
For connecting your computer to ISDN there are several options to consider: ISDN
card, a Terminal Adapter, and a router.
A router is useful for allowing you to connect multiple ethernet nodes to a single
ISDN line. The router has an ISDN port for connecting to the line and an ethernet
port for connecting your LAN segment. A router not only makes the connection it
also can handle multiple protocols, perform routing decisions, perform security
checks, and other features. There is now a wide range of models to choose from
depending on how many and which of these routing features you really need. As you
might of guessed, there is also a wide range of prices, too. Since ethernet cards
are expensive for the Amiga, and if you have only one or two computers, you might
consider the other options.
A terminal adapter (TA) allows serial lines to be connected as well as POTS
phones. For the Amiga you will need a serial port card, such as the MFC IV, that
can handle the higher ISDN speeds. TA's are cheaper than routers, because they do
not provide as many functions such as ethernet support, but for the Amiga you have
the added expense of a high speed serial card.
An ISDN modem card is another option and is really just a form of TA. It is not as
flexible as a TA or a router because it is made to work with a specific computer
(both hardware and software). For the Amiga there is the ISDN Master One problem
for US residents is that the european cards use S interfaces and the US uses U
interfaces. This means US residents will also need a NT-1.
For more authoritative information on ISDN start with ACC's ISDN primer at
http://www.acc.com/internet/technology/about/isdn.html
which is a short document which explains most of the basic terminology. Then read
the comp.dcom.isdn ISDN FAQ document which is available at the FAQ Archive
Another good ISDN FAQ I just found:
http://www.HiWAAY.net/hiwaay/support/isdn.html
Both documents have pointers to lots of ISDN info. Or you can start like I did
with a web search on ISDN at www.yahoo.com or similar site.
Continue to:
amiga, pc, hardware, sotware, networking
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