ISDN FAQ
How fast is ISDN?
Each of the 2 available channels, phone lines, are capable of providing 64Kbps of bandwidth, giving a total bandwidth of 128kps.
Can I talk on the phone and be online at the same time?
Yes, but only if you use one channel for your Internet connection. Because ISDN uses two channels, or phone lines, one channel can be making a data call and the other can make a voice call.
Is the 3Com Lan Modem using both channels?
On the face of the Office Connect modem are two lights, B1 and B2.
- If the B2 light is lit when the modem is connected then it is using both channels.
- If the B1 light is on and occasionally the B2 light comes on, then the modem is set to only use B2 when needed
- If only the B1 light is on and and B2 never comes on, then the modem is set to only use the one channel.
By default the modem is configured to only use one channel.
How to change the way the modem uses the channels?
Enter the configuration page at 192.168.1.1 in a web browser and click the "ISP Wizard" link on the left.
- Bandwidth Allocation:
- Use one B channel - Only uses one channel
- Add second B channel as required - Keeps the second channel open until the modem threshold exceeds 60%, by default.
- Use two B channels - Always uses both channels.
How do I change when the B channel kicks in?
Enter the configuration at 192.168.1.1 in a web browser. On the main page image map, click on "Data Call Parameters". Use the option "Connect/Disconnect threshold for the second B channel:" default is 60%. I believe that lowering the number will make the second channel available sooner.
How to change the connection idle timeout?
Enter the configuration at 192.168.1.1 in a web browser. On the main page image map, click on "Data Call Parameters". Use the option "Disconnect an outgoing automatic data call after how long of an inactivity period?" Default is 30 seconds. Below that option is "Disconnect an outgoing manual data call after how long of an inactivity period?" Default is 900 seconds (15 minutes).
