ISDN2e requirements

BT ISDN

ISDN2e will work with most desktop PCs and Apple Macintosh computers provided they are either fitted with an ISDN PCI card or connected to a suitable Terminal Adapter.In either case,the connection must be correctly configured.The recommended minimum PC specification is a 486DX processor running at 100Mhz, or an Apple Mac with a 68040 processor.

ISDN PCI cards (like an internal modem) or Terminal Adapters (like an external modem) are available from BT and other suppliers. ISDN PCI cards cost from around £50 and Terminal Adapters from £100. You should ensure that your Internet Service Provider supports ISDN access and tell them you will be using ISDN2e. They may provide ISDN connections through a different same dial-up number to analogue connections. If so, you will need to reconfigure your dial-up software to dial the correct number.

To use an Apple Mac with ISDN2e you will need a Mac compatible ISDN PCI card or Terminal Adapter. You may also require additional software for dial-up applications such as Internet access or remote access. Please consult your Apple Mac supplier.

If you would like to use analogue phones, faxes, answering machines, etc, you will require one or more terminal adapters with analogue ports. These are available from BT and other suppliers.

If you are connecting LANs (groups of PCs linked together by a hub device) together using ISDN2e you will need to connect the LANs to an ISDN device such as a router at each end of the ISDN2e line. If using a router, the WAN port should connect to the ISDN2e line and the U interface should to the hub device.

If you wish distribute calls around the office and use facilities such as call transfer and call pick-up, you will need a digital PBX. These systems are also called ISPBX's, switches, switchboards or digital phone systems. You can buy them from BT and other suppliers.