ISDN line

[Lt1]

Need a little help here!!! What is needed to be able to use an isdn line. If a new modum is required, how pricey are they?

 

[Kerle]

Well, to access ISDN, you have to have an actual ISDN line from the phone company run to the house - you can get either 64k or 128k - most people opt for the latter, though it's more expensive. You can also get multiples of those two; I know someone that has a 512k ISDN connection in his home because ISDN is all that's available there, but he needs more than 128k.

The cost on that will vary depending on your phone company and how far they'll have to drag the line to your house, but where I live, the price averages around $50 a month.

A good ISDN modem costs between $75-150, and they can easily get to be upwards of $200. Check with your ISP though; the one I work at provides a modem when you sign up with the service.

Also, note that both Cable and DSL are generally faster than ISDN (though depending on where you're at, ISDN can be more stable), and usually cost less. It's still an okay service if it's all you can do though.

 

[bozo1]

Don't forget the ISP cost. Around here, ISDN is about $65/month for the line. Another $45 or so for the ISP. That's for 128Kbps. That price used to only include 100 hours (at 128Kbps, 200 hours at 64Kbps) but now it is for unlimited use but many telcos still limit usage.

 

[Kerle]

Wow, I didn't realize what a deal the ISP I work for offers - we charge $9.95 a month for 64k or $19.90 for 128k - you get as many IPs as you need (I think the limit is 8, but we push that if it's requested), and we throw in the modem for free. There's still the charge for the line, but it's unlimited access, no bandwidth cap or anything...

Of course, I've got a DSL, so it's worthless to me...

 

[Lt1]

Thanks for insight, kerle and bozo, I do not have access to dsl or cable... (live in podunk). I haven't priced ips yet, but the line itself will be about $50/mo. Guess I'll shop around for ISP price and modem. Do you know a way around using a router for two or more computers? Also, would you recommend cat 3 or cat 5 wire?

Regards, Lt1

 

[Kerle]

Cat 5 would be the suggestion from me.

If you're using two computers and don't want a router, in Win98SE and up you can use Internet Connection Sharing. It's pretty simple to set up; the only downside really is that the computer that actually gets the original connection has to remain turned on for the second computer to get it.

 

[bozo1]

Most of the sub-$200 ISDN modems are serial or USB interface only. Cat 3 vs Cat 5 doesn't matter here. Keep in mind that if you use the serial interface, you won't get the full 128Kbps throughput unless you use a high-speed serial card. Standard serial ports top out at 115Kbps. USB would be the way to go. ISDN routers with an Ethernet interface to the computer are usually > $350.

You'd need to use some sort of Internet Connection Sharing software to share this type of setup with two computers unless you go with the more expensive ISDN router. There are models that combine ISDN, 2-4 port switch, and connection sharing like the cable/dsl routers that are available.

 

[Lt1]

Well, looks like the price of speed just went up... for me anyway! Guess the flexibility of adding more stations later is too much to resist.
Do you have advice on which routers to stay away from... I'm just starting to shop around?

Tks, Lt1

 

[calpha]

I'd definitely go with a router. I used to have ISDN and I miss the hell out of it. I just moved to BFE myself, and I"m in a broadband wasteland. Can't get crap, not even ISDN.

I had a Toshiba TR-650 ISDN Router. Toshiba is out of the ISDN business now, but you can find the modems on EGay between $50 and $100. That was a great little router. Everything was set up from a Web Interface. Plus, you could configure it to allow for recieving incoming voice calls, or to constantly stay on. I also had a Cisco 805 series that worked well, but was much more complicated to set up.

That being said, I would really go for a router. If you get the Toshiba like I mentioned above, you'll be on your own to get it set up b/c Toshiba doesn't support them anymore either. But, as long as the router is "working" I guarantee you won't have any problem setting it up. It really is that simple. Plus, with this router, you're very secure as long as you don't open any ports.

 

[Lt1]

Sorry for taking sooo long to back to the keyboard... been away for a couple days. My phone Co. (Ameritech) has provided me with a duel 64k isdn line, but does not provide ISP. However, they did turn me on to: http://thelist.comthelist.com There, you can track down an ISP in your area-- if there is one.

I'm torn between getting a router with at least a 4 port hub and getting a separate router and separate hub. I would like some feed-back on this, but feel that separate componets are the best choice even if I have to dig a little deeper into my pocket.

One more thing... I'm going to attemp to network 3 computers together to share the isdn line. any thoughts on NIC's or other items required woould be welcome.

Regards, Lt1

 

[Kerle]

NICs're cheap; grabbing a $14 Addtron at your local electronics/computer store should be good enough.

Hubs are also cheap - I'd rather get just a router on its own, but you can chain hubs together, so it's not really a limitation either way, really just a matter of what you want to pay for.