October 1997

Arescom, Inc.
46724 Lakeview Blvd
Freemont, CA 94538
Ph: 510-445-3638; Fx: 510-4453636
Web Site: www.arescom.com
Price: $724

RATINGS (1-5)
Documentation: 3.20
Installation:3.20
Features: 4.90
GUI: 4.80

Does your corporation need a highspeed connection to the Internet? Or does it need to provide its “road warriors” a fast connection to the office? Well, if you have ISDN lines, then an ISDN router just might be the way to go. One such router is the Arescom Apex 1100. Specifically, the Apex 1100 is an ISDN-BRI remote access router that can connect to your LAN using either an RJ45 or coaxial connection. The Apex 1100 comes with dial-on-demand and multilink PPP, and gives Ethernet LAN users ISDN line speeds up to 128 Kbps. Security features include IP and IPX packet filtering, PAP and CHAP authentication protocols, and password security.

INSTALLATION
The hardware installation was simple. All we needed to do was connect a network cable and an ISDN line to the router. The software installation, however, was a bit more difficult. While installing Apex Manager, we found we had to choose the IP Master option so that we could detect the router correctly. We chose “static IP,” but that wouldn’t work. Apparently, the default IP address of the router was on a different subnet than our network (Figure 7).

We decided to switch to “IP Master.” (See Figure 8, which shows the Apex Wizard setting up the router using IP Master mode enabled.) However, we soon noticed some strange things happening on our network. For example, when MIS tried to install a new Windows NT workstation, the workstation kept getting assigned a TCP/IP address which was on a different subnet than our network. Thus, this machine could not access anything on our network.

We determined that the ISDN router was acting as a DHCP server and was assigning TCP/IP addresses. Apparently, IP Master mode imparted functionality equivalent to that of a DHCP server. We did find it strange, however, that the ISDN router would take precedence over our office’s DHCP server in assigning TCP/IP addresses. In any case, we left IP Master mode and returned to static TCP/IP mode. But then, even though we followed the instructions on how to use a static TCP/IP address, we were again unsuccessful.

We checked Arescom’s Web site in case there was a patch or some troubleshooting hints. We found that we had an older version of their Apex Manager software, so we downloaded the newer version. We also downloaded the latest firmware and installed it onto the router. At this point, having just loaded all the “latest and greatest” software, we again tried to set up static TCP/IP addresses. But we still had no luck.

We called technical support. After spending an hour or so on the phone with the technical support person, we were told that someone would have to get back to us about our problem. We decided we weren’t going to wait. By the time technical support got back to us with a new procedure, we had tested the router in IP master mode, but this time after we had set up a private network so the router wouldn’t interfere with the rest of our corporate LAN. Although Arescom includes a wizard that is designed to simplify installation of the Apex 1100, we found it very difficult to set up static IP addresses, something that should have been fairly easy. Clearly, the Apex 1100 needs some work in the ease-of-use department.

DOCUMENTATION
The documentation version we had was beta, so it was quite brief. The online help was good, however, and it included a troubleshooting page. As you might guess, we had a special interest in one particular topic: getting static IP addresses to work with the existing corporate LAN and with the LAN’s existing subnet value. The documentation, however, did not address this point in any detail.

FEATURES

• Automatic switch type, SPID (automatic SPID detection covers 95% of ISDN line installations), and line speed detection.
• Static IP routing; IPX routing (available with future feature upgrades); RIP routing (available with future feature upgrades).
• Supports ISDN, PPP, and multiple PPP network protocols.
• Plug-and-Play operation.
• Includes integrated NT1 and two additional analog ports (optional).
• Permits connection multiple analog devices, without requiring more analog lines or ISDN phones.
• Dial-on-demand; bandwidth-ondemand. Diagnostic feature ensures reliable connectivity. Download software and firmware upgrades from arescom’s Web site. PAP and CHAP authentication protocols; password security.

OPERATIONAL TESTING
Changing the configuration was pretty easy. A user-friendly tree-level formatted screen allows you to quickly change your address, ISDN phone numbers, the router’s name, and other settings (Figure We tested the ISDN router using a Teltone ISDN simulator and a Web server with an ISDN modem inside, and the product performed without a hitch.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The unit has several useful LEDs, but lacks LEDs displaying “receive” or “send” when data is transmitted. There is, however, a software status screen which displays packets being received or sent (Figure 10). Now, to return to the subject of setting up static TCP/IP addresses: this procedure should be made simple enough so that an average user could install this piece of equipment.

CONCLUSION
Although we were frustrated by a difficult installation, we did like the Apex 1100. Feature-rich, the Apex 1100 has everything you want in an ISDN router, from security to multipoint PPP. The Apex Manager software, which was complete and user-friendly, made it easy to manage the router. All the same, the product could use some improved installation instructions.