LAN with ISDN ?

[Nestle]

I am moving to an area without ADSL yet, and since satellite is way to expensive my only option is ISDN 128k.
I never used ISDN before, is there any difference from the usual 56k connections?

Also, I need to conect 2 computers with that one modem. How can I do that? Can I just conect the modem to a router like i would do with ADSL, or i can't do that with ISDN?

Any good cheap external ISDN modems that you know about?

 

[oldfart]

Get an ISDN router instead of a terminal adapter. This will allow multiple PC's. ISDN is 128k/128k Vs. ~ 50k/28.8k for a V90 modem. Downloads are ~ 3x faster, uploads ~ 5x faster. Gaming is decent since its a digital connection and has low latency.

 

[rockhard]

If your running XP you would be as well just getting a Terminal Adaptor.
The good thing about XP is that in the settings for your connection you can set an option to allow the connection to be controlled by other computers running XP.
My NAT box is my dads gaming rig and has an Eicon Diva Pro 2.0 PCI TA using XP's built in ICS.
Even when he's playing i can control the connection from my other PC's
The connection on the NAT box will show up in Network Connections on the Lan boxes from where you can do what you like with it

My past experiences with ISDN routers has been rather bad as if you let the things autodial for you your going to eventually face the rathe of your ISP i suspect.
My Netgear RT328 ISDN router went bad on me about a year ago and was ringing my ISP like every few seconds for 3 days solid before i sussed out what was going on
Anyways they charged me for all the attempted connections and i was £250 out of pocket.
After that i will never again trust a remote dialing perhiperal.
I like to be in control from then on

 

[Nestle]

I was thinking to get an ISDN modem and then conect it to an ADSL/cable router ... but this is not possible?

I have XP. What exactly do I need to buy to conect both computers on the internet the way rockhard said? And how do I connect both of them?
Should i get an internal or external modem?

I never had ISDN , is there any other thinks i should know about it?

 

[Electric Amish]

My friend has had ISDN for a few years now.

He has an ISDN router (Netgear) and that is connected to a switch. The rest of us just plug into the switch.

He's never had any problems from his ISP or with the router.

amish

 

[rockhard]

If you buy a modem it will plug straight into the ISDN wall box. You cannot run it through a router im afraid.
If you were to setup "Internet Connection Sharing" service on the XP PC that has the modem then all you would need is an Ethernet card in each PC and a "Crossover" Ethernet cable to connect the 2 PC's directly to each other to form a simple network between the two.
Once you have installed the Ethernet cards in each PC and connected them together with the crossover cable all you will need to do is install the drivers for the modem then run the "Home Networking Wizard" on this PC giving details for the dial up such as number to dial and name and password etc.
When the wizard finishes it will prompt you whether you want to make a "Network Setup Disk".
Select yes and do it to the floppy.
Take this floppy to the other PC and run it and answer the questions.
Now you should be good to go

Hope this helps.

If you decide to go this route and have troubles do PM and i will do my best to help you out with any problems you may have hit.

Good luck.

 

[Nestle]

So what equipment do I need to connect 2 (not more) computers?
1 ISDN modem + 1 ISDN router + switch + ethernet cards on each computer? That sounds a bit too much .. isn't there an easier way?

Edit: Ok !! Thanks rockhard !! The message above was posted before i saw your reply.

 

[rockhard]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2017395814
I found this on @bay which would be ideal.
Eicon make great ISDN gear and theyre driver support is top notch
Unfortunately in the USA you guys seem to be paying an awful lot more than us guys in the UK for ISDN gear new, yeah?

 

[rockhard]

1 ISDN modem (PCI or external) + 2x ethernet cards + Crossover cable

 

[Nestle]

Well, if in the UK is cheaper then i would just buy it from there. Now I am in Florida, but I will be in London next month, and the computer will be set-up in Cyprus. So if i get it from UK I can get an external modem without the electricity problems I would have if i was buying it from the US.

Also, what is the difference between U and S/T interface? Is there anything else i should know before choosing a modem?

 

[rockhard]

If your buying in the UK then this URL be of interest to you:-
http://www.insight.com/uk/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=EIC3A02KMR
Thats the best value internal i could find with good driver support.

I would really recommend you go with an internal as the externals can be a bit of a hassle to get working if your serial port settings arent setup correctly for the external type and would be one less thing to worry about configuring.
That one i listed above you could just pop in and WinXP/2K has drivers for it natively
When you setup the drivers it will prompt for Multisubscriber line no's - i just leave these blank and select the ISDN type (country specific) and then your good to go.


<< Also, what is the difference between U and S/T interface? Is there anything else i should know before choosing a modem? >>


ISDN modem is really a Terminal Adaptor and not a modem as there is no conversion from digital to analogue like with a 56k modem. This is why sometimes you will see them listed as ISDN Terminal Adaptors.
If you go internal then you only need be concerned with "Terminal" interface type which will be RJ45 - same as ethernet, though you cannot use it over ethernet, just plugs straight into ISDN RJ45 port on telephone socket wall plate/box.
You can use a standard ethernet patch cable to connect the modem to the wall plate as i have in the past used up to 15m when my PC was upstairs and the ISDN wallplate was downstairs which was handy
If you keep it simple you should not have any troubles.
As for anything else to know - nothing really as the Eicon is compatible with all international versions of ISDN and can also do 56k analogue by emulation, can do ISDN Fax and normal Fax plus call bumping.
Highly recommended.

 

[DSTA]

Yup, Eicon or AVM for an internal card -- or one of the many fine ISDN routers (I'd pick up a cheap used Cisco if I did not have a Linux box doing the routing for me).

But one suggestion: perhaps it would be wise to have the actual ISP contract and technical specs on hand before making a purchase. Might well be you need a couple of ISDN phones or a little PBX as well, and if the prices on the (beautifull, I kinda envy you ) island turn out too high, you can always order from one of the many European IT hardware shops.

 

[rockhard]

DSTA - You have a point there. My experience is with European DSS1 type ISDN which usually comes nice and simple with a box with RJ45 ISDN Port(s) and 1 or two analogue ports for your phone which is mounted on the wall somewhere.
Checking with Telephone company before you do anything is essential like you say.
Maybe in Cyprus the ISP is who you deal with?
I know here in the UK you get ISDN from the telephone company, then get the actual internet access from the ISP and just connect via dial in.
Could be totally different in Cyprus, yeah?

Nestle - You really need to speak to someone in Cyprus on this to get it right or you could end up stabbing in the dark with our advice.

 

[DSTA]

rockhard Heh, you're spoiled in the UK . I've been using Euro ISDN since 95 here in .de an all I ever got from the phone company was a monthly bill and an NTBA (Network Termination for Basic Access, ie the litlle box you can plug the ISDN kit into).

BTW, I was thinking ISP because Nestle said something about a 128k ISDN internet connection. Is that dedicated internet access?!

Basic consumer service in Germany is two 64k lines you can use for voice or data and some (usually 3) phone numbers you can map to equipment on the ISDN bus. If you can get that plus flat fee internet access in Cyprus, then you'll really really want a card or router that does "call bumping" as a computer connection.

 

[rockhard]

Yeah were spoiled but i'd still prefer ADSL
It sux though how slow even ISDN took off over here as i was only able to get ISDN where i live in 2000 :/
My current service gives me 2x RJ45 ISDN sockets and 2x analogue sockets.
I have two ISDN phone numbers and two analogue phone numbers, though i can only use any two at one time.
For £25 a month i get the box on the wall and line rental.
ISP costs me £14.95/month for unlimited free call net access @ 64k.
Im just waiting for unlimited 128k to come out over here in the next few months then im going to start using the call bumping which will be cool

How does call bumping work?
I know that one line will be temporarily disconnected when an analogue call is initiated from your phone but what happens if someone tries to ring you?

 

[Nestle]

Thanks for your help !!
In Cyprus I believe it works in the same way like in the UK since the telephone company (the one and only) is the one that arranges for the ISDN and then you can choose an ISP for the internet access.

I think it is two 64k lines .. or something. This is what they say at an ISP website:
"To connect to Internet via ISDN you need an ISDN line. The ISDN line provides 2 channels of communication that can be used either isolated (for example, one for the phone line and one for the Internet connection) or simultaneously (for example 2 phone lines or two lines for internet connection) at each specific moment.
According to which service you need you can get a single link access to CYTANET at 64Kbps or multi link access to CYTANET at 128kbps."

This is what i found at the telephone company site: link

In any case i will wait until I get home and call them. I wanted to buy the modem from the US because most computer parts are much cheaper here, but it seems that ISDN modems are not much cheaper since ISDN is not very popular in the states (almost anybody can get ADSL or Cable, so why bother with ISDN)

Thanks for your advice !!