General LAN-ISDN Information and
Usage Control Guidelines
LAN-ISDN is a dial-up service designed for users who need occasional access to the Internet for information, browsing and e-mail. LAN-ISDN is not ideal for customers who wish to connect servers or remain connected to the Internet for extended periods of time.
How does LAN-ISDN work?
As a LAN-ISDN customer, you will add a router to your LAN and use it to connect to the Internet. Your router will dial up to us via your ISDN line whenever a user on your LAN accesses an Internet application---for instance, viewing a Web site or sending and checking for e-mail. The router will cause the ISDN line to connect, first using a single B channel for 64 Kbps access, and when necessary and if available at your location, it will dial up the second line, for combined speed of 128 Kbps.
We have certified the Netopia ISDN Router 440 and 640, and the Ascend Pipeline 50 and 130 for use with LAN-ISDN.
A Word of Caution
Be cautioned that your ISDN router will dial up most frequently if any of your users have on their desktop applications like PointCast®, Netscape's Netcaster®, Microsoft's Active Channel®, or any automatic stock quotes or news headline updates. These applications periodically poll the Internet and will cause your router to connect to us frequently.
Also, Windows 95, Windows NT and Macintosh LANs by nature send broadcast packets out at various intervals, often causing the router to connect to the Internet. Our Technical Support may have suggestions for addressing this issue.
These issues can result in high ISDN usage fees from your local telephone company.
Controlling Usage
To prevent excess and unnecessary dial-up usage costs, you should:
- Discourage users on your LAN from using desktop applications such as PointCast®, Netcaster®, etc., which periodically poll the Internet.
- Set your router to disconnect after 1-2 minutes of inactivity. Note: Normal Web browsing may seem slow if, while an end user is reading a Web page, the router disconnects and then must reconnect to go to the next link.
- Turn the router off at the end of the workday to prevent accidental dial-ups during off-hours.
When the Time Comes - Choosing a New Service Plan
If your service usage is higher than you are expecting you may find it more cost effective to upgrade to a dedicated access connection. We offer a wide variety of dedicated access services from which to choose, and we'll be sure to help you make a smooth transition. Just contact us at 1-800-827-7482.
|
