In order to use ISDN, you will need the following equipment:
An ISDN line (ordered through your Telco)
A phone chord
An ISDN Terminal Adapter ("modem")
A computer with the proper Internet Applications installed.

An ISDN Terminal Adapter (TA) is used for single computers wishing to connect via ISDN.

Setup: On Windows, ISDN TAs usually use Dialup Networking Software on the computer to make a connection with Cruzio. (This might not always be the case) That means that the ISDN user will create a Dialup Networking connection in Windows OS for their ISDN, configured with the correct username, password, and dialup access number. The computer will send this information to the ISDN TA in order to make the connection. On a Macintosh, it is possible that Remote Access dialer software might be used for the same purpose.

In order to establish a bonded ISDN connection with Cruzio, an ISDN user may enter 1-831-459-9408&1-831-459-9408 into the ISDN connection.

An ISDN Router is used so that multiple computers may be able to use the same ISDN connection. ISDN routers always have a built-in dialer. Therefore, an ISDN router will not use any software on the computer to initiate an ISDN connection. Instead, the ISDN router will need to be configured to dial automatically whenever it receives an Internet request from the computer. All username, password, and phone number information will have to be configured directly into the ISDN router.

Typically, in Santa Cruz, you get your ISDN Line From AT&T.

1.1) Call AT&T at 1-800-4PB-ISDN (1-800-472-4736) to order your ISDN line. Make sure you specify "ISDN Ordering Code Capability Package EZ1" (IOC EZ1). Tell AT&T that you already have an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a 3Com Impact IQ ISDN modem.

1.2) Ask for the order code or order confirmation number. Write it down.

1.3) When your ISDN line is installed, make sure you are given the configuration information for the ISDN line. Specifically, you will need to know the phone numbers and "SPID" (Service Profile Identifier) numbers of the ISDN line. (Your ISDN line can have two phone numbers.) You should also know the "switch type."

1.4) Fill out the Cruzio ISDN Worksheet and mail this to Cruzio after you set up your ISDN hardware.

Cruzio has noticed that sometimes, the switch type specified in the AT&T information does not match exactly one of the options in the ISDN TA, or router.
For example, for an ISDN circuit with:

AT&T Switch Type: National
Protocol: Common

The following ISDN Equipment needed to be configured accordingly :
3Com Impact IQ TA Switch Type: NI1 AT&T 5ESS
Netopia 630 router Switch Type: National ISDN-1 (NI-1)

It is suggested you try either NI1 AT&T 5ESS or National ISDN-1 (NI-1) as your switch type if you are having problems.

If you have an ISDN TA or router that has a 'U' jack, you should be fine to plug the ISDN line directly into the modem.

If you have an ISDN TA or router that has an 'ST' jack only, then your ISDN equipment does not include a built-in Network Termination Device, and you will need to find this component in order to make your ISDN setup work. The ISDN Network Device Termination Cables will plug into Network Termination Device from ISDN modems.

1. Dialup and ISDN customers use an existing phone line that has been set up for you by your Telco.
2. Typically, both are able to use the same type of telephone wire as your phones use.
3. Both require your computer to communicate with a device ("modem" or "terminal adapter") to establish a data connection between your computer and Cruzio.
4. In many circumstances, both are able to use Dialup Networking (in Windows) to authenticate and establish a connection with Cruzio's servers (less true with ISDN routers)
5. Both are able to specify Cruzio's 56k modem pool telephone # (above) to establish an Internet connection with Cruzio.
6. Just like in dialup modems, ISDN modems also respond to initialization string commands.

ISDN differs from Dialup because....

1. ISDN is MORE EXPENSIVE than dialup (or DSL) to setup and to use. If cost is a factor, it is usually better to consider signing up for dialup (or DSL).
2. ISDN is capable of speeds up to 128kbps. An exceptional dialup connection is only capable of speeds up to 53kbps.
3. Your Telco needs to connect your existing phone line to an ISDN (all digital) circuit at the Central Office.
4. ISDN is an all digital circuit. Dialup (and normal phone technology) is a mixture of analog and digital circuits.
5. ISDN is a special digital connection between your house and the Central Office. It is not portable, and cannot be accessed while traveling.
6. ISDN is capable of having voice and data simultaneously on the same phone line.
7. ISDN telephone lines will stop working in the event of a power failure. Analog lines will usually still operate during an outage (if you have a non-powered phone). Some ISDN Terminal Adapters will have a battery backup as a workaround.
8. ISDN is capable of having 2 bonded (64kbps) data channels on one phone #. **A Dialup customer would need 2 phone #'s and a special type of dialup modem in order to bond ("shotgun") 2 dialup connections with Cruzio.
9. You can use your regular [analog] dialup modem to obtain a dialup connection to Cruzio through an [digital] ISDN line if your ISDN Terminal Adapter supports an analog interface. However, you cannot obtain an ISDN connection through a normal [analog] telephone line. Well, you can, but that means you would be ordering ISDN with your Telco!
10. ISDN lines usually come with additional services (like caller ID) that digital lines are known for.