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From: Tony Griffiths <tonyg@OntheNet.com.au>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Re: FreeBSD and ISDN -- final analysis?
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 1997 10:47:28 +1000
Organization: On the Net (ISP on the Gold Coast, Australia)
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To: Matt Behrens <behrensm@river.it.gvsu.edu>
Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:43181
Matt Behrens wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> In my quest to figure out if FreeBSD & ISDN really is possible, I did a
> little research first (even R-ingTFM, believe it or not) :) and have come
> up with two conflicting information sources.
>
> 1. The FreeBSD handbook states that ISDN is possible simply by hooking it
> up to the serial port and using PPP, albeit limited to 115Kbps.
This is ISDN via the back door... In this case, a TA (Terminal Adapter)
is used to convert between a 'standard' sync or async port on the
computer/router/etc. to ISDN. Basically, the TA must do all the hard
work. In some cases, TA's have been made to look like async
Hayes-compatible modems (ie. you talk to them via AT commands) for
computer initiated dialing, etc.
>
> 2. Joerg (my apologies if I mispelled the name, I am a product of the
> American public education system after all) ;) said in a post about a
> month ago that ISDN needed the BISDN package, which was in a state of
> incompleteness due to a need for complete rewrites right now.
This is _true_ ISDN. An ISDN card (Basic Rate Interface {BRI} or
Primary Rate Interface {PRI} ) is part of the computer/router/etc.
Software must understand LAPD/Q.921/Q.931/... to communicate with the
the ISDN switch so that calls can be placed or accepted. Different
kettle of fish altogether to a TA! You also need Synchronous PPP to do
anything useful in terms of network protocols (IP or ???).
I presume the BISDN package is the glue that makes it all hang together.
Tony