Product Evaluation

Hardware

Software

Installation

Configuration

Monitoring

Diagnostics

Conclusion

A Core Competence Product Evaluation

Ok, So What’s Wrong: Diagnostics and Monitoring

In addition to providing configuration panels, the Sportster ISDN 128K Manager utility also includes an excellent set of management tools. One section of the window graphically displays ISDN connection status. A Call Logger facility records detailed information for every call placed, for example: 

02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  ISDN connection to the switch has been lost. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  ISDN connection to the switch has been established. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  ISDN connection to the switch has been established. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Dialing a digital data call to 18005551212. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Will dial second data call to 18005551212. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  The destination is ringing.
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Tones are being turned off.
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Establishing PPP connection to 18005551212.
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Connected digital data call at 64000 bps to 18005551212. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Protocol in use is Point To Point Multi-Link Emulation (TurboPPP).

System diagnostics can be run to check system and card integrity, and can be scheduled to be performed automatically at startup, as a log excerpt illustrates below. A Protocol Monitor is also provided to diagnose those nitty-gritty ISDN problems. 

02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Driver is ready and waiting for the reset command. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Starting TAPI services for Telephony (1). 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Sportster ISDN 128K, v4.04.1. Built Dec 8 1995 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Running diagnos
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  FIFO access test failed.
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Reset received: Re-configure and start the card. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  IRQ = 15  IObase = 200  Switch Type = National ISDN 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  PhoneNumber 1 = 8301234  SPID 1 = 018301234000. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  PhoneNumber 2 = 8301235  SPID 2 = 018301235000. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Installed IRQ 15. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  MAC address is  0.20.69.d0.10.ef 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  The boards eeprom settings are: 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM      Board Type:    U 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM      Data Only:     No 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM      External Ring: Yes 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Voice override enabled. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Accept voice calls as data is disabled. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Beep on data call connect enabled. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Turbo PPP enabled.
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Terminating TAPI services for Telephony. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Physical wire connection to Switch established. 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Starting TAPI services for Telephony (1). 
02/19/96 10:31:51 AM  Sportster ISDN 128K, v4.04.1. Built Dec  8 1995

As with most ISDN products, the Sportster ISDN 128K leaves you on your own for problems that may occur after your call has been connected, such as invalid authentication username or password. The Sportster ISDN 128K web page provides product information and leads you to USR’s support page.

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