Choices in ISDN

We have reviewed ISDN devices ranging from simple Terminal
Adapters that look very similar to regular analog modems, to LAN modems, to real high-tech
routers loaded with lots of features. Therefore, it was difficult to do a comparison and
say which is the best one. So, instead, we looked for ease of configuration, and the
feature set. We did some transfer tests and found that average transfer rates was around 7
to 10 kB/sec for all the devices on a 128 Kbps ISDN connect.

We noticed that all routers required us to enter the telecom service provider’s
switch type. The options available are based on the country and not on the make of switch.
And India is not it in their list. In many, the alternative was to select "European
countries". Here’s how each of these babies fared in our tests:

Anil Chopra

at PCQ Labs

color="#FFFFFF">3Com Office Connect 3C891

color="#FFFFFF">Datatronics ISDN TA IS128SS

Type:

FACE="Arial" SIZE="2"> ISDN LAN modem width="106" height="54">

Price:

Rs 21,412

Special features:

IP routing and PPTP support; built-in 4-port hub with
cascading of up to 24 ports; two analog telephone ports.

Pros:

Very easy to configure; only requires Web interface for configuration;
good connect speeds.

Cons:

None.

Source:

3Com Asia India Branch Office, 713/714 7th Floor, International Trade
Tower, Nehru Place,

New Delhi 110019. Tel: 6446123 Fax: 11-6233192

Type:

ISDN Terminal
Adapter

Price:

Rs 9,213 height="82">

Special features:

Drivers for both 64 and 128 kbps with multi-link support.

Pros:

Easy to configure; like an analog modem.

Cons:

Insufficient information for configuring in Windows NT or connecting at
128 kbps.

Source:

Aditya Promoters Khemka Centre, 2-5 Nehru Place, New Delhi110019.

Tel: 6223810, 6223811 Fax: 6227979

color="#FFFFFF">Multi Tech MT 128EXT

color="#FFFFFF">D-Link D1-300

Type:

ISDN Terminal Adapter

Price:

Rs13,500

Special features:

Drivers for Win3.x/9x/NT; Multi-link support for 128 kbps
connects.

Pros:

Comprehensive user manual with all AT commands for ISDN; compact in size;
easy to configure.

Cons:

Came with a loose power supply that made it difficult to power up.

Source:

Multi Tech Computers B-26 Bhikaji Cama Place, Somdutt Chambers I, New
Delhi 110 066.

Type:

ISDN Router

Special features:

Remote access server built in; IP and IPX routing support.

Pros:

Easy to configure; accessible through Hyperterminal, Telnet, or Web
configuration utility;

Good transfer rates.

Cons:

None.

Source:

D-Link India, Plot # 5, Kurla Bandra Complex Road, Mumbai 400098.

Tel: 22-6520578

color="#FFFFFF">Ascend Pipeline 50

color="#FFFFFF">Ascend Pipeline 75

Type:

ISDN Router

Price:

Rs44,000 height="66">

Special features:

Many connectivity options: LAN-to-LAN routing, ISP connection,
remote dial-in; RIP-1, RIP-2; IP, IPX routing, DHCP, and DNS; tunneling support.

Pros:

Configurable through Hyper-

terminal, Telnet, or configuration utility; slightly complex to configure due to large
number of options

Cons:

Bulky power supply; no LEDs for ISDN channels.

Source:

Telexcell Information Systems 33 Yusuf Sarai, Green Park Extension, New
Delhi 110 016.

Tel: 11-6517120, 6964070.

height="51">Type:

ISDN Router

Price:

Rs49,000

Special features:

Same features as the Ascend Pipeline 50

Pros/Cons:

Same as the Pipeline 50.

Source:

Telexcell Information Systems 33 Yusuf Sarai, Green Park Extension, New
Delhi 110 016.

Tel: 11-6517120, 6964070.

color="#FFFFFF">Ascend Pipeline 85

color="#FFFFFF">ZyXEL Prestige 100IH

Type:

ISDN Router

Price:

Rs54,000

Special features:

Same as the Pipeline 50 and 75; plus built in 4-port hub and
Secure Access Firewall software.

Pros/Cons:

Same as the Pipeline 50.

Source:

Telexcell Information Systems 33 Yusuf Sarai, Green Park Extension, New
Delhi 110 016. Tel: 11-6517120, 6964070.

Type:

ISDN Router align="right" width="104" height="69">

Price:

Rs 30,300

Special features:

Built in 4-port hub; two analog telephone ports.

Pros:

Very easy to configure; accessible through Hyperterminal, Telnet, or a
Java Configuration Utility.

Cons:

None

Source:

MRO-TEK Post Box # 3203, 14 1st D Main Road, Ganganagar Bangalore 560
032. Tel: 80-3331814, 3331823 Fax: 3333415

color="#FFFFFF">ZyXEL Prestige 128 Plus

color="#FFFFFF">Teldat

Type:

ISDN Bridge/Router

Price:

Rs40,400 height="61">

Special features:

Two analog telephone ports; remote access server; can connect
two LANs through PPTP, IP, and IPX routing.

Pros:

Easy to configure; good transfer rates.

Cons:

None

Source:

MRO-TEK Post Box 

# 3203, 14 1st D Main Road, Ganganagar, Bangalore 560 032

Tel: 80-3331814, 3331823

Fax: 3333415

Type:

ISDN router

Price:

Rs 40,000 height="95">

Special features:

Support for ISDN and analog modem.

Cons: Spanish interface makes it a challenge to configure; complete commands were
unavailable in terminal interface; did not come with configuration software or proper
manuals. Bulky unit.

Source:

Uttara Communications