20 ISDN
Description
This article is from the Amiga Networking FAQ, by Richard Norman with numerous contributions by others.
20 ISDN
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.
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