Appendices

Appendix B: Ordering Your ISDN Line

There are two ways to specify your ISDN line configuration to your service provider. One is by using ISDN "ordering codes" in which the user, the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) or Internet Service Provider (ISP) are using common nomenclature to describe elements of service. The other way of ordering service is to use a “building block approach”; where the naming conventions are non-standardized, and the user and provider must establish a set of provisioning options.

Loop Qualification

The first step in ordering (“provisioning”) an ISDN BRI line is to contact your LEC and verify ISDN BRI loop availability in your location. There is a distance limitation of approximately 2 miles (1800Kf) from the BRI loop. Each request for BRI is handled on a case-by-case basis. Once qualified, the LEC requires information on the type of equipment and protocol used. Most ISDN BRI is configured as “voice and data” (due to the fact that the LEC network is primarily analog, and ISDN digital technology converts the digital signal into analog, transports it over their analog lines, and then re-converts it into digital data at the other end) .

As a general procedure when ordering an ISDN BRI (2B+D) line:

1.

Plan ahead; the BRI line order may take four weeks or more to get provisioned.

2.

Contact your LEC representative early in the process toensure ISDN BRI loop availability for

 

your location.

3.

Provide the LEC rep. with your correct address for the BRI service.

4.

Provide the LEC rep. with the type of equipment (e.g., “Multi-Tech MTA128TA External ISDN

 

Terminal Adapter”) and the protocol specifications that it supports. Use the “ISDN BRI

 

(2B+D) Line Ordering Checklist” provided later in this document for the protocol

 

specifications.

5.

Provide the LEC rep. with the type of jack required by the MTA128NT (i.e., “RJ45 male 2-wire

 

U Basic Rate Interface”) .

6.

Wait for notification of installation from the LEC; ask the LEC rep what type of switch is used

 

(AT&T 5ESS and NT DMS-100 are most prevalent).

7.

Ensure availability of an “auxiliary” analog line (if you plan on using the MTA128NT’s “AUX”

 

RJ11 analog connector for a standard telephone connection). Make sure you have a 115 VAC

 

(60 Hz) power outlet near your computer for the MTA128NT’s two-prong outlet-mounted

 

power transformer.

8.

Record all of the information provided by your LEC.

MTA128ST/NT

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