Topic: Help needed Today [Sun] - Thanks !

[Graham]

Hi All,

I am at a satellite office 15 miles form base. [UK] I have a BT Speedway External ISDN TA connected to the serial port of my SME 5.5 box. Just done the basic install and tried "Test Connection"  from the admin console to no avail. In the BIOS I set both COM1 and COM2 to there actuall port assignments [3F8, 2F8] I get no lights [only power] on the TA ?

Do I need an init string ? How do I test if the TA is being sent a request or responding. I tried a DOS based external modem test program with zero result [Reports no modem for COM1 and hangs on COM2]

Many many thanks !

[Terry Brummell]

Can't you use "minicom" to talk to the modem directly?  I don't know much more about it then that, I have cable here.

Terry

[Graham]

OK - Will try that from the Command Line . . .back soon !

[Graham]

Minicom . . erm . . . can start it from /usr/bin but need to sit down for 30 mins to work it !!!

Any one got a quick test ?

What logs should I be looking at ?


Thansk !

[Graham]

The BT Speedway External ISDN TA Documentation states that the Orange ISDN LED will be lit if ISDN Services are available. It also states that the Green PC LED will be lit when the computer is commnucating with the TA.

I have neither ISDN nor PC lights on when I try "Test Internet Connection" from the server console.

The ISDN guys installed something called an S-Bus Card into the Panasonic Phone system and told me that was the equivalent of an ISDN2e socket. Its labled as S-Bus on the patch panel.

As neither the BT ISDN Team nor the Comms guys are aournd on a Sunday I am a bit stuck . .

WIll report back if I get answers !

[Jeroen]

It could be that the line is configured as a PtP line (no TEI management, this is needed when the line is connected to a Phone System) in this case it will give trouble on your ISDN modem.

Jeroen

[Graham]

Mmm . .thats not very encouraging. I told the phone guys I needed a standard ISDN2e outlet and they said yes - thats what they would provide.

I have spoken to someone with the same TA under Windoze and he told
me that when his PC is off the only light is the power light. The ISDN
light stays off until the PC initialises the TA. Once dialed-up the ISDN
and the PC light are both on.

Do External TA's behave just like external modems ?

How can I test wether its the device or the connection ?

Any advice warmly welcomed !

[Graham]

http://www.thennion.demon.co.uk/ISDN.html

I have just read here that some external TA's will work just like
an Ananlogue modem whilst others need a CAPI driver . . .

I suspect that the Speedway needs this but is there a driver
for Linux ?

I can send this beast back to BT within 14 days and either
purchase the internal version OR another external TA.

Someone said the Hayes ones work straight outta the box ?

Any definitive answer on this ?

[Graham]

I just read this :-

There is also reputed to be an external BT Speedway, this is apparantly a very different beast and is very similar to a winmodem (i.e avoid it).


Here :-

http://www.sweeney.demon.co.uk/ISP_FAQ.htm#ISDN

My BIG lesson - It PAYS to do your Research - I'll be sending the BT
one back tomorrow but need to purchase a TA that definitley works.

www.dabs.com stocks Hayes /  3Com

Anyone have ISDN up and running UK and what are you using ?

Thanks !

[Kees Blokland]

(I used to have isdn) Hayes one works out of the box, guaranteed!

[Graham]

OK Found these recommends and links :-

Its a big jump from £12 to £129 !!!

Any comments ?

Eicon Diva PCI [£11.02 ex VAT]
http://lists.linuxemporium.co.uk/pipermail/lbc/2001-March/001713.html
http://www.sapphiresystems.co.uk/shopping/modems.htm

Asuscom PCI ISDN [£16.50 ex VAT]
http://list.ftech.net/pipermail/gllug/2001-August/011357.html
http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/Info.asp?WPID=1897

Hayes Accura 128K Serial ISDN TA
www.dabs.com Mfr code: 08-15700-72
Quicklinx: RK8WS
45 1-3 days £110.00 [£129.25]

[Kees Blokland]

Hayes Accura 128K Serial ISDN TA
www.dabs.com Mfr code: 08-15700-72
Quicklinx: RK8WS
45 1-3 days £110.00 [£129.25]

Which looks like it is an external one. The SERIAL bit gives it away..

Google Pcworld:
Hayes Accura= 40,00
I also used Elsa Quickstep from pcworld, same sort of price, although they do not seem to list them at the moment.

look at http://www.isdn4linux.de/faq/i4lfaq-5.html for supported hardware.

[Norrie]

Using Asuscom PCI.  Works fine with 5.5.  Also fine with other Linux distros.

N.

[Graham]

Thanks for replies !

Have ordered the Asuscom External from Solwise [£75 inc VAT]

http://www.solwise.co.uk/isdnspec.htm

I like the fact that there are indicator lights which may help future
troubleshooting and besides, the customer is paying

Will report back with findings !

[Graham]

Have now received mentioned ISDN TA :-

Have ordered the Asuscom External from Solwise [£75 inc VAT]

http://www.solwise.co.uk/isdnspec.htm

It does indeed communicate with SME 5.5.

Nice lights !

Link light comes on when asking for IP, then carrier detect
and ultimately Send Data / Receive Data lights.

OK - Now I got the kit I need to get the connection working . . .