Debugging ISDN
--------------

Q.  My ISDN connection isn't working.  What can I do?

A.  Here are some general debugging tips that may help you resolve some
common ISDN problems. After you've tried and checked all these, contact
Northwest Nexus customer service via e-mail at support@nwnexus.com or by
calling toll-free at 1 888 NWNEXUS (1 888 696-3987).

  1. Confirm that the following setup information appears correctly in
     your ISDN adapter:

    - ISDN Telephone Numbers (Directory Numbers)
      You should have two of these numbers entered.  Ascend calls these
      My Num A and My Num B, while Farallon calls them Directory Number
      1 and Directory Number 2.

    - Service Profile Identifiers (SPIDs)
      You should have two of these numbers entered.  Make sure that the
      Directory Numbers match up with the SPIDs:  for Ascend boxes,
      My Num A corresponds to SPID 1, My Num B to SPID 2.  For Farallon
      devices, match Directory Number 1 to SPID 1, and DN 2 to SPID 2.
      
      If you have U S WEST ISDN, your SPIDs must each have 14 numbers,
      and end in 1111.  
      
      If you have GTE ISDN, your SPIDs must each have 14 numbers, and
      end in 0101.

    - Switch Type
      You must set this parameter to "NI-1."  This is really "switch
      software type," but Ascend and Farallon both use the above
      terminology.

      If your device additionally asks for a switch type, choose "AT&T
      5ESS unless you know you are connected to a Northern Telecom
      DMS-100 switch.

  2. Verify that your ISDN adapter is securely plugged in to a working
     electrical outlet. If you have a surge protector, ensure that it
     has not failed.

  3. Check the adapter cables for proper connection. First, confirm that
     the large end of the special RJ-45-to-RJ-11 silver telephone cable
     is connected to the ISDN adapter.  Next, ensure that the small end
     of this cable is plugged into the ISDN jack.  Make certain that
     you have not plugged this cable into one of your home or business
     telephone jacks.  If you have done so, even for a short time, you
     must have your ISDN adapter checked.

  4. Make sure the Ethernet cable or serial cable is inserted snugly into
     the appropriate jack, and is connected to the Ethernet hub or computer
     serial port connector.
     
  5. Check the lights on the ISDN adapter.  Consult your equipment manual
     to ascertain the proper states of the indicators on your device:

    - If the Power LED and the Active LED indicators are lit to a steady
      green, the ISDN adapter should be operational.

    - If the D-channel or WAN LED is flashing, there may be an equipment
      or line problem.

  6. Attempt to reinitialize the ISDN line and terminal equipment by
     turning off the ISDN adapter for a few minutes.  When you turn the
     adapter back on, if you are still experiencing difficulties,
     start from the beginning and reconnect everything.

  7. If you believe that there is a problem with your ISDN line, call
     your telephone company's ISDN repair center to have them test your
     line.  Make sure your ISDN adapter is connected and powered on before
     you call so the test center can attempt to contact your device.
     Have your ISDN directory numbers and SPIDs handy before you call.
     
       For GTE ISDN service, call
     
         GTE National Customer Support Center   1 800 555-6635
           
       For U S WEST ISDN service, call
     
         U S WEST ISDN Business Group           1 800 777-4247
      

  8. If you are still having trouble, call Northwest Nexus customer
     service toll-free at 1 888 NWNEXUS (1 888 696-3987). 	


Q:  Is there more information that might help?

A.  Obtain and review the appropriate "How to Configure..." FAQ for the
ISDN adapter or router you have chosen.  The complete set of ISDN FAQs
includes the following titles:

	ISDN for Home or Business:  An Introduction and Brief Orientation
    	(ISDN basics)
    ISDN Glossary
    	(ISDN-related terms, acronyms and definitions)
	Establishing ISDN Service with Northwest Nexus
		(how to order, install ISDN service)
	Selecting an ISDN Terminal Adapter
		(how to select, overview on install and setup)
	Selecting an ISDN Router
		(how to select, overview on install and setup)
	Configuring Your ISDN Terminal Adapter
	Configuring Your ISDN Router
		(specifics on adapter configuration and software setup)
	Debugging ISDN 
    (the FAQ you are reading)


Q:  How can I stay up to date on ISDN developments at Northwest Nexus?

You can keep abreast of ISDN at Northwest Nexus by subscribing to one of
our ISDN mailing lists, or by participating in our ISDN newsgroup.

Our ISDN mailing lists are low-traffic, one-way e-mail lists that
contain ISDN-related and news, announcements, and tips.

If you're a Northwest Nexus customer, you may join the isdn-interest
list.  If you're not yet a customer, subscribe to isdn-announce.  Both
lists get news of our latest ISDN products and offerings.

To subscribe, send an e-mail message to majordomo@halcyon.com

In the body of the message, include these two lines:

subscribe isdn-interest end

or

subscribe isdn-announce end


Northwest Nexus also maintains a newsgroup for our users to discuss ISDN
issues, share tips, and troubleshoot problems.  Use your browser or a
newsreader and subscribe to

halcyon.isdn



[1Apr97/MJT]