December 1997

ISDN 2000AF

Merge Technologies Group, Inc.
211 Gateway Road West, Suite 201
Napa, CA 94558-6274
Ph: 707-252-6686; Fx: 707-252-6687
Web site: www.mergetech.com
E-mail: [email protected]

With the rising popularity of ISDN, as well as its widespread use internationally, we see new ISDN products all the time. But how to evaluate all these new products? It can be a challenge, especially considering the complexity of the various ordering codes for ISDN, not to mention all the various protocols. This is where an ISDN simulator can come in handy. It can let you concentrate on the product you’re studying, not the usual complications that crop up whenever you work with ISDN. Another benefit from using an ISDN simulator is that it saves you money, particularly if you’re in an area where you must pay for ISDN service by the minute.

The ISDN simulator we evaluated was Merge Technology’s ISDN 2000AF FLASH Memory Emulator, a device with multiple-protocol emulation. The “FLASH” refers to the 2000AF’s Flash memory, which allows you to download upgrades and enhanced protocol libraries.

An added convenience is the 2000AF’s software, Protocol Analyzer. This software allows you to observe, save, and print trace information; adjust filter settings; and modify the settings of the 2000AF. You can configure the 2000AF for stand-alone operation or computer-controlled operation. This capability of the ISDN 2000AF allows you to use it as a mobile demonstration tool or as a dedicated bench-top development and diagnostic tool.

SPECIFICATIONS
Total Ports (Lines)
Two ISDN Basic Rate Interface (2B + D) lines for end-to-end emulation.

Interfaces At Each Port
U (2B1Q) and S/T (ASI bipolar) interfaces at each line.

Connectors
4 each RJ-45.

Maximum Devices
6 (4TE + 2NT).

U Indicators
Frame Sync, Near End Bit Error, Far End Bit Error, Local Activation, NT-1 Activation, Power, Embedded Operation Channel.

S/T Indicators
Receive INFO State, Transmit INFO State, Q Bits, S Bits.

Other

• Speech, 3.1 KHz Audio, 7 KHz audio, Circuit Mode Data, and D Channel Packet Code Data.
• Point-to-point and point-tomultipoint configurations.
• In-band tones and primary line power to six terminating devices.

INSTALLATION/DOCUMENTATION
Installation was simple. We removed the packaging, connected the handheld portable device to the main unit, and then connected ISDN product(s) to the port(s) on the unit. To avail ourselves of the 2000AF’s advanced functions, we installed the Protocol Analyzer, a Windows program that shipped with the 2000AF. Installing this software program was very easy — it was just one diskette.

The documentation was very good. It described how to access features with step-by-step instructions, and it contained many screenshots of the software displays. In addition, the manual explained some of the basics of ISDN.

FEATURES

• Simulates National ISDN-1, AT&T Custom, DMS-100, and ETSI signaling protocols.
• Supports auto-initializing terminals (SPIDs), including AT&T custom.

Captures and displays or prints packet headers, call control messages, and information elements.

• Monitors physical layer status and control parameters.
• Monitors and traces data link layer protocol operations.
• Isolates and fine-tunes packet operations like automatic TEI assignment, multiple frame establishment, and receiver ready/not ready conditions.
• Monitors and traces network layer call control functions.
• Confirms every detail of ondemand, circuit-switched call control procedures by observing messages and information elements.
• Tests and demonstrates features unique to your product using switchspecific messages.

OPERATIONAL TESTING
We tested the ISDN simulator using a pair of U.S. Robotics ISDN modems. We connected to a Windows NT 4.0 machine running Microsoft Internet Information Server and were able to download Web pages at lightning speed. We also hooked up a pair of ISDN phones and were able to call from one phone to the other with no problem. We found that voice and Circuit Mode Data (CMD) connections were supported on either B Channel, while the D Channel Packet Handling Function (PHF) simulated X.25 Packet Mode Data (PMD) calls.

SPIDs/Protocols
One nice feature of the 2000AF is that it comes with predefined Service Profile IDs (SPID). The predefined SPIDs auto-initialize Directory Numbers and assign Service Profiles that permit multiple call appearances, caller-ID, unlimited call types, and other services.

The FLASH memory capability of the ISDN 2000AF allowed us to easily enter custom Service Profile Identification (SPID) numbers or download new protocols. On the network layer, this unit supports National ISDN-1, AT&T 5ESS Custom, Northern Telecom DMS-100, and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) call control, including codesets 0, 5, 6, and 7, and NETwork ESCape message types.

Display Screen/Printer
We liked the 2000AF’s display screen, which reported the different status conditions. For example, it indicated when the unit was being restarted. It also displayed the ISDN phone numbers for the two ports. The 2000AF also has a printer option. If you take advantage of this option, you can more easily test, debug, and monitor various conditions.

Handheld Device
We used the handheld device to change various parameters on the ISDN simulator. It hooks right into the serial port of the 2000AF, and we were able to quickly and easily modify various settings. The hand-held device has arrow keys which allowed us to scroll through the screen until we found the option we wanted to select. It’s only about a 3-inch wide display, but we were impressed with the ability to scroll through the various menu screens to look at or modify settings.

Protocol Analyzer
The 2000AF comes with software called Protocol Analyzer for Windows, or PAW for short. Setting up the software was pretty straightforward. We were able to change the ISDN switch type from a simple drop-down box. The PAW software, a very powerful and useful utility for tracking and monitoring, lets you set up trace and filters. Software-based LED lights change color as data passes through the simulator, making it easy to monitor various conditions. Both the U and S/T interfaces can be monitored from this screen .

CONCLUSION
With the 2000AF, you can emulate end-to-end, real-time ISDN-BRI calls. In addition, you can perform complete call handling without a PC, without a switch or PBX, and without ISDN lines. By obviating the use of “live” ISDN lines, the 2000AF saves money. It also saves time, by taking the variables associated with real ISDN telephone lines out of the loop.

This product is a perfect tool for trade shows or other mobile demonstrations. It can also facilitate the development and testing of ISDN products. We particularly liked the product’s handheld device, which gives you everything you need to set up and control the 2000AF. With this handheld device, you needn’t lug a computer to wherever you need to demonstrate an ISDN product.