[KLUG Members] ISDN

[Richard Zimmerman]

> Does anyone know if the quality of one's phone lines will affect one's
speed
> with ISDN?  I can get a 21-24k connection with a modem, and I want ISDN,
but
> I'm not sure if I get it, I'll get the full 128k.

   ISDN is a digital circuit so it's an all or nothing deal (read it works
or it doesn't). ISDN in Indiana has a 400 hour tariff. The first 400 hours
are FREE then you are charged 2.5 cents per minute PER CHANNEL! Running the
full 128K over 400 hours equates to 5 cents a minute. ISDN in Michigan
allows you all the time you want but charges you a PER CONNECTION per
CHANNEL fee. If your ISDN line is crappy (it *IS* in our Warren, MI office)
you might connect 2-5 times a day! Five times a day PER CHANNEL @ 17 cents
per connection (read 34 cents per 128k connection) and a bad line can add up
quick!

   Also, Verizon is wonderful to deal with on ISDN, no problems there, but
Ameritech in Michigan will give you gray hair!

   In both of our offices we are using an Intel 8100 ISDN router (required
by uu.net) and have had no issues with them.

> And, to make this post legitimate with KLUG, how does this affect linux?

   Our office here in Elkhart, IN where I'm based uses a Linux box on the
ISDN line. I simply inserted a second network card and assigned it to the
public Internet IP address and told the box to route traffic out it. It was
fairly simple to setup and get working. It's what we use to this day. I have
the ISDN router control when the ISDN line connect / disconnect to save the
"hours" for daytime use.

   Hopes some of this helps.

   Richard

> adam
> --
> Adam Bultman
> adam_bultman@bigfoot.com

Richard Zimmerman                                     richard@knbpower.com
Information Systems Manager                      ke4rit@earthlink.net
K&B Transport, Inc.
Elkhart, Indiana                     Advanced SKYWARN weather spotter

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