Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 13:04:59 -0400 From: Chris Peltier <CPELTIER@iectech.com> To: "'John T. Farmer'" <jfarmer@sabre.goldsword.com> Cc: "'freebsd-isp@FreeBSD.ORG'" <freebsd-isp@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: RE: ISDN Message-ID: <97Jun23.085457edt.6191@netgate.iectech.com>
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We have experimented with the Courier I modem externals
and found the following:
1) They have a single RJ11 connector for attachment to a phone or
V.32 modem and a single DB25 RS-232 connector (for Terminal
Server, NAS, etc..) Therefore you can take one call X2 or 64K ISDN
and a second call V.32. You can only originate a 128K ISDN call
from this product. You cannot multilink PPP an inbound call yet.
The RJ11 is good because you get a digital quality connection
similar to using a T1 channel bank. Your customers are more
likely to get 28.8 or 31.2 connections then with regular POTS.
2) They do have problems in hunt groups because they expect
their individual Directory Numbers (DNs). You have to set them
up in a series completion hunt group to enforce that. Many Telco
switches (especially the AT&T 5ESS) can't handle more then
6 BRIs in a series completion hunt group.
3) The External Courier I modem has software problems and
somtimes hangs. When this occurs it will not answer calls and
can break the hunt group. Not good.
4) If the external modem is off hook (because it is finishing the
last call and it takes a few seconds to tear down a call)
and a new call comes in (Its ISDN digital so a new call
can come in instantly) then the call cannot be completed,
the hunt group is broken, and from the callers viewpoint it
rings for ever.
The Courier MPI 8s or 16s are much better, having a serial
port for each B channel and special code to allow proper
hunting. Stay away from the External Courier I Modems.
Sincerely,
Chris Peltier
* email: CPELTIER@IECTECH.COM
* voice: 215-257-4917
* FAX: 215-257-4916
John T Farmer wrote,
>
>The notes I was checking about the i-courier were related to the
>external
>"single" unit. If you go with the MP/8-I box, it appears to have 2
>serial
>interfaces on each "modem" card with x2 & v.34bis available on both
>channels.
>
>So, for a simple proof of principle case:
>
>Individual I-couriers 4 x $300 + power strip
> + mounting + cables = ~$1350
>
>The MP/8-I box $2800 + cables = ~$3000
>
>Features wise:
> Individual I-couriers, 4 ISDN, x2, v.34bis users
> at a time (without additional modems)
> MP/8-I box, 4 128k ISDN, 8 64k ISDn, x2, v.34bis
> users at a time.
>
>So, for twice the price, you get a cleaner installation that will
>support
>more users. It's clear that using the individual I-couriers, while ok
>for a testing phase, is not a good long-term solution for x2 support.
>
>John
>
>
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