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[ Go to March 1997 Table of Contents ]
How To Buy
Service ISDN is a new and unfamiliar world for many users, so a number of modem companies have set up prepurchase support lines or Internet sites with the information you need to get started. These support services provide help and advice throughout the installation process and may even hook you up with the correct phone service provider. Price ISDN terminal adapters are becoming more affordable every day. Expect to pay between $200 and $400 for a basic ISDN TA with a single analog port. Products with enhanced features, such as automatic switching between ISDN and analog connections, can add as much as $300. Internal or External Internal devices, which hook into a free ISA slot, allow you to avoid the speed limitations of your communications ports. External units, which hook into the serial port, cost about $50 more and sometimes include extras such as diagnostic LEDs. You may prefer an external terminal adapter if you will be switching between computers. Drivers Most terminal adapters provide Windows 95 drivers. If you need Windows 3.x or NT drivers, make sure the model you're considering offers them. When people talk about buying an "ISDN modem," what they really mean is an ISDN terminal adapter. Why go ISDN? One reason is to take advantage of its speed for dialing into the Web. ISDN allows your uncompressed digital data to run over twisted-pair copper wires (standard phone lines) at up to 128Kb per second (two 64Kbps B channels combined) One difference among ISDN TAs is the way they handle received signals. For instance, some terminal adapters will add or drop one of the two B channels as needed, allowing you to cut your bandwidth usage and lower your service charges-a feature known as dynamic bandwidth allocation. Multilink PPP support means that the product can combine both B channels for faster data-transfer rates. If you need simultaneous voice and data, make sure the terminal adapter you are purchasing supports that feature. You can also buy an ISDN terminal adapter with a built-in analog modem combined with it. A unit of this type will automatically "fall back" when it encounters an analog line. An ISDN terminal adapter will only work if you can get an ISDN line installed at your site. See the next page to find out some things you need to know when you talk to your local phone company. Copyright (c) 1997 CMP Media Inc.
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