What all is needed for ISDN 128k?

[Red]

A friend is going to get ISDN out in the country because he can't get cable or DSL. An ISP is offering $27.99 / month for 128k ISDN, and all they say is required is an "ISDN Modem" ... I looked on ebay and I see some modems for $10 and stuff, but is that all that is needed?? Because I see ISDN routers and stuff for sale too. He has two computers in his house on different floors so... help me!

1. Altough 128k isn't blazingly fast, will he able to use both computers on the internet at the same time?

2. How would this work? Does he need two ISDN modems for each computers? And two routers? Or maybe just one modem and one wireless router?

3. If it's too much of a hassle to network the two computers on ISDN, can he simply buy two ISDN modems for each computer and only allow one to be connected at a time?

4. US Robotics TA Pro modems on ebay say that you can use ISDN and talk on the phone at the same time. Does this work on any ISDN service and does it hurt the bandwidth at all? Thanks!

Thanks. This ISDN stuff is weird and hard to find info on.

 

[Confused]

ISDN doesn't use a "Modem" it uses "TA".

Using a USB/PCI ISDN TA, you can use something like Internet Connection Sharing in Windows to share/use the internet on both, or you might be able to find a cheap ISDN router (but probably not a wireless one, you'd need to add an Access Point to it) on Ebay as people are upgrading to Cable/DSL


Confused

 

[Red]

Ok... any help with the other questions? I see an ISDN router on ebay for $10. Does it work like a regular ethernet hub where I have to run network cables to each computer? Or does the ISDN router work over the phone lines? I'm not sure how these things work.

 

[Confused]

It works like a standard router does, you run an ethernet cable to everything connected. However if you want to talk wirelessly, you'll probably need to get yourself a Wireless Access Point, as there will be no ISDN routers with wireless built into them (like newer, broadband/adsl routers have)


Confused

 

[Linflas]

Any possibility he can get IDSL? I had IDSL back when I couldn't get cable modem or DSL and it was ok. IDSL is a bit faster than IDSN at 144/144.

 

[Red]

Ok, so looking at ebay prices, would this setup work to wireless connect two computers using ISDN, or am I missing something?

1. US Robotics Pro TA ISDN modem ($30) connected to:
2. Wireless Access point ($30) connected to:
3. Two wireless NIC cards ($20 x 2 = $40)

$100

 

[Confused]

Links to the auctions?

If the USR modem has more than 1 ethernet output, and the phone line is going to be near one of the computers, connect it via an ethernet cable,


Confused

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If you don't plan on using voice, get IDSL. IDSL is ISDN, except it connects to a DSLAM instead of the voice network. The advantage of this is that it's an always on connection, and UNLESS YOU GET A CENTREX LINE ISDN HAS PER MINUTE CHARGES. Centrex lines run about $300/mo. IDSL does not have per minute charges.

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
If you don't plan on using voice, get IDSL. IDSL is ISDN, except it connects to a DSLAM instead of the voice network. The advantage of this is that it's an always on connection, and UNLESS YOU GET A CENTREX LINE ISDN HAS PER MINUTE CHARGES. Centrex lines run about $300/mo. IDSL does not have per minute charges.

The ISDN provider we were talking to said since he able to call a local number (not national access) the total price is $27.99 for unlimited access... he said the nationwide access only gets 170 minutes per month and it has per minute charges after that. Is that what you're talking about?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Unless it's changed recently, all calls (even local) will have a per minute charge from the telco.

 

[Red]

The USR modem has a power connection, two phone jacks, a USB connection, a serial connection, and a thing that looks like ethernet that says "ISDN"

 

[halik]

heh i was expecting off-the-topic smartass/finace related replys... dang it

 

[nanaki333]

i remember ISDN. my stepfather worked for MCI and had 128kbps ISDN for $35/month unlimited use, this was when 33.6 was the most used thing and 56k was just surfacing. it rocked! now i have crummy DSL. did you read the fine print in the contract and offer to make sure it isn't 27/month plus usage? a lot of ISDN providers charge you by the minute used. it tends to get a tad pricey.

 

[Red]

Ok, I'm really confused?? A local ISP is telling me they charge $28.99 per month for 128k ISDN and all you have to do is buy an ISDN modem/TA.

I called my local phone company (Cincinnati Bell) and they said they charge $273/month for ISDN and charge 3 cents per minute for internet usage?

Are these services the same thing????

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: Red
Ok, I'm really confused?? A local ISP is telling me they charge $28.99 per month for 128k ISDN and all you have to do is buy an ISDN modem/TA.

I called my local phone company (Cincinnati Bell) and they said they charge $273/month for ISDN and charge 3 cents per minute for internet usage?

Are these services the same thing????

The ISP is telling you that they'll allow you to connect to them at 128K over ISDN but you still have to pay the phone company for the actual ISDN line.

IDSL is the better option if it's available.