Establishing ISDN Service with Northwest Nexus
----------------------------------------------

Q. How do I order, configure, and use ISDN service?

A. There are four steps to getting started with ISDN service:

	1.  Ordering service from Northwest Nexus
	2.  Ordering ISDN service from a telephone company
	3.  Installing an ISDN line in your home or business
	4.  Purchasing, installing and configuring the ISDN adapter
	
This FAQ describes the first three steps.  Custom FAQs for specific
adapters or classes of adapters are available to help you with the
fourth step.  

We strongly recommend that you obtain and review the other FAQs in this
series; see the end of this document for a list of the available FAQs.


1. Ordering Service from Northwest Nexus
----------------------------------------
Before you order ISDN service from a telephone company or purchase
an ISDN adapter, we strongly recommend contacting Northwest Nexus
to order ISDN service and review the applicable FAQs for the type
of service you desire.  You can avoid much of the traditional pain
and suffering associated with establishing ISDN service if you take 
the time to consult with Northwest Nexus first.

As of this writing, Northwest Nexus provides three ISDN Internet
services:

	- Dial-Up ISDN Service
	  --------------------
	  Same as Premium Dial-Up Service, but delivered via ISDN.
	  This is the type of service you can use to upgrade your
	  current modem connection to the Internet. Dial-Up ISDN
	  connects a single computer to the Internet, using a server-
	  assigned IP address and the PPP protocol.
	  
	  Dial-Up ISDN service is intended to be an intermittent service.
	  A single channel connection may be established for as much as
	  24 hours before the connection is automatically broken.  The
	  connection may be reestablished immediately.  A second channel
	  may be added to the connection when needed, but its use is
	  limited to two hours at a time.


	- Dedicated ISDN 64kbps (one B-channel)
	- Dedicated ISDN 128kbps (two B-channels)
	  ---------------------------------------
	  Suited for connecting a local LAN to the Internet, these
	  services are often used in place of frame-relay connections.
	  Dedicated ISDN service provides a full /24 IP address (formerly
	  called "Class C"), making 254 addresses available for an ISDN
	  router and other devices.  
	  
	  Dedicated ISDN is intended to be an always-connected service.
	  If an interruption in telephone company service, a power
	  failure at your ISDN device, or a Northwest Nexus router
	  causes the connection to be disconnected, it will be
	  reestablished automatically by pending traffic on the client
	  side or Northwest Nexus side.

Additional services are currently in development.  For details of
current services and an online signup form, visit the Northwest
Nexus Web site:

	http://www.nwnexus.com/isdnserv.htm
	
If you do not currently have access to the World Wide Web, call the
Northwest Nexus sales department toll-free at 1 888 NWNEXUS (1 888
696-3987). 	


2. Ordering ISDN Service From a Telephone Company
-------------------------------------------------
In Washington state, ordering ISDN service from your telephone company 
can be a confusing and trying experience.  Northwest Nexus has developed
a close working relationship with U S WEST and GTE service representatives
to make ordering ISDN service simpler and less susceptible to error.

While both telephone companies provide toll-free numbers that connect
you to ISDN service centers, because these centers serve multistate
areas with different ISDN tariffs and practices, ordering service
through those centers may result in your having service that is not
compatible with Northwest Nexus ISDN requirements.  To minimize
difficulty when ordering ISDN service, we recommend contacting the the
telephone companies at the following numbers:

	- If your telephone service is provided by U S WEST:
	
		Mallory Paxton, Seattle				1 800 443-4940
		
	- If your telephone service is provided by GTE:
	
		Advanced Products Group, Seattle	1 800 483-2374
		
These representatives will put you in contact with the person who will
establish your ISDN service.  Review the following information for
details on the parameters of service you must order to ensure a proper
interface with Northwest Nexus ISDN router.  You may want to copy this
information and fax it to the telephone company representative to be 
certain that your line is properly provisioned.


Details for U S WEST ISDN Customers
----------------------------------- 
All ISDN service with U S WEST is classified as "business" service,
whether it is installed in a residence or at a business address.  U S
WEST also has the simplest tariff options for ISDN BRI service:

	- $35/month (plus $5.58 FCC fee and applicable taxes)
	  Local calls charged at 4 to 4.5 cents first minute,
	  1.5 to 2 cents additional minutes
	  Long-distance calls charged at rates set by designated
	  local-distance provider (AT&T, MCI, Sprint)
	  One-time installation charge $85, plus possible charges for
	  necessary inside wiring
	  
	- $63/month (plus $5.58 FCC fee and applicable taxes)
	  No charge for local calls
	  Long-distance calls charged at rates set by designated
	  local-distance provider (AT&T, MCI, Sprint)
	  One-time installation charge $85, plus possible charges for
	  necessary inside wiring

Monthly service with a usage allowance is also available at lower
monthly rates, as are annual contract rates.

If you expect to use your Dial-Up ISDN service heavily, the second
option is probably cheaper in the long run.  Dedicated ISDN service
subscribers must choose the second, flat-rate option.

U S WEST provides a Web page that details ISDN BRI pricing:

	http://www.uswest.com/atwork/interprise/ps_dhs_index.html

Also available is a page that indicates whether ISDN service is
available at your location:

	http://www.uswest.com/atwork/interprise/isdn/slavailability.html
	  
	
	Provisioning Details for U S WEST
	---------------------------------
	Single Line ISDN Service
	NI-1 (National ISDN-1)
	Multipoint
	2 SPIDs
	2B-CSD/V (Circuit-switched voice and data, both channels)
	Data any
	Voice any
	
	If the representative asks, request an RJ-11 jack (see "Installing..."
	below).

Be certain that you write down both of the SPIDs that your U S WEST
representative gives you when your service order is entered.  You will
need these numbers to configure your ISDN adapter.

U S WEST SPIDs currently have the following format:

	nnn nnnnnnn 1111

The first ten numerals are the associated directory number (DN), the
number that you would dial to ring a telephone connected to the POTS
port of your ISDN adapter.  If you had ISDN service installed before
1997, the format of your SPIDs may differ.  And if you're in an area
that is affected by the recent Washington state area-code changes, it's
possible that the DN and SPID may not have the same area code, at least
for a while.  Obtain and review "ISDN and the Washington State Area Code
Changes" for more information.


Details for GTE ISDN Customers
------------------------------
GTE separates its ISDN service offerings into "residential" and
"business" classes. Which service you can obtain depends on GTE's
classification of the service address as residential or business.  GTE's
business ISDN rates are higher than residential; rates also vary by your
location and the type of central office switch out of which you are
served.  To be honest, it's a mess.  You'll need to work closely with
your GTE representative to be certain that you get the service you need.
 GTE has instituted a flat-rate ISDN service, though, that considerably
simplifies pricing for BRI ISDN service.

Fortunately, GTE offers an excellent Web page for determining both the
availability of ISDN in your area and the rates that apply to your
location. You enter your area code and exchange (the first three number
of your local telephone number) and a table detailing the rates is
displayed:

	http://www.gte.com/Isdn/Get/get.html

If ISDN is indicated as being available in your area, click on the your
state abbreviation to see the applicable rates.

In Washington state, the current flat-rate options are priced as follows:

	- Residential Service
	  $76.70/month (includes $3.50 FCC fee; applicable taxes extra)
	  No charge for local calls
	  Long-distance calls charged at rates set by designated
	  local-distance provider (AT&T, MCI, Sprint)
	  One-time installation charge $200, plus possible charges for
	  necessary inside wiring
	  
	- Business Service
	  $131.60/month (includes $5.58 FCC fee; applicable taxes extra)
	  No charge for local calls
	  Long-distance calls charged at rates set by designated
	  local-distance provider (AT&T, MCI, Sprint)
	  One-time installation charge $277.50, plus possible charges for
	  necessary inside wiring

Monthly service with a usage allowance is also available at lower
monthly rates, as are annual contract rates.

	
	Provisioning Details for GTE
	----------------------------
	Single Line ISDN Service
	NI-1 (National ISDN-1)
	Multipoint
	2 SPIDs
	2B-CSD/V (Circuit-switched voice and data, both channels)
	Data any
	Voice any
	
	If the representative asks, request an RJ-11 jack (see "Installing..."
	below).

GTE tends to try to set up BRI ISDN as "AT&T Custom."  National ISDN-1
(NI-1) is a far simpler option for the majority of today's consumer ISDN
devices, and you should insist on it.  The features included in AT&T
Custom are not useful in typical Internet data connections.

Be certain that you write down both of the SPIDs that your GTE
representative gives you when your service order is entered.  You will
need these numbers to configure your ISDN adapter.

GTE SPIDs currently are in the following format:

	nnn nnnnnnn 0101
	
The first ten numerals are the associated directory number (DN), the
number that you would dial to ring a telephone connected to the POTS
port of your ISDN adapter.  If you had ISDN service installed before
1997, the format of your SPIDs may differ.  And if you're in an area
that is affected by the recent Washington state area-code changes, it's
possible that the DN and SPID may not have the same area code, at least
for a while.  Obtain and review "ISDN and the Washington State Area Code
Changes" for more information.


3. Installing an ISDN Line in Your Home or Business
---------------------------------------------------
When your telephone company completes the loop qualification for your
ISDN order, your representative will schedule an installation
appointment. Most installations are straightforward, but there are some
aspects to carefully consider before installation takes place.

	Wiring
	------
	ISDN signals, being digital, are somewhat "noisier" electrically
	than conventional telephone signals.  Nearly all residences and
	many businesses today are wired in a manner that is suitable for
	conventional analog telephone service, but which may pose problems
	for ISDN.
	
	Ideally, there should be a single pair of wires in a separate jacket
	that run from the "demarc," the point at which the telephone company
	terminates its wires, to the jack into which you plug your ISDN adapter.
	If this pair of wires is twisted, so much the better.  This ensures
	that the ISDN signals will not cause "whooshing" or "hissing" noises
	in your regular telephone line.
	
	If you use existing inside telephone wiring for your ISDN line, make
	sure that there are no other jacks connected on the circuit you are
	using for your ISDN line.  Only one U-interface ISDN adapter may be
	plugged into an ISDN BRI line.  
	
	You may choose to have the telephone company installer install new
	wiring that fits above specifications.
	
	Jacks
	-----
	The telephone company installer will give you a choice of jack type
	to install at the point at which you will connect your ISDN adapter.
	Even if the telephone company doesn't do your inside wiring, the
	installer will want to install an inside jack so that they will be
	able to test your ISDN line using their test set.
	
	You may choose either an RJ-11 jack, the same kind that is used for
	regular telephones, or an RJ-45 jack, which takes a wider, eight-wire
	modular plug.  You should choose the RJ-11 jack; most ISDN adapters 
	come with cables that have an RJ-45 modular plug on one end and a
	RJ-11 modular plug on the other.  The RJ-45 plug goes into the
	U-interface jack on the ISDN adapter, and the RJ-11 goes into the
	ISDN line jack the installer installs.  If you choose an RJ-45 jack,
	you'll need to purchase an RJ-45-to-RJ-45 cable.
	
	It's a good idea to label the RJ-11 jack with the letters "ISDN" and
	your SPIDs.  While you won't harm a conventional telephone by
	accidentally plugging it into the ISDN jack, you *will* damage your
	ISDN adapter by plugging it into your regular home or business
	telephone line.
	

Q:  What do I do next?

A.  Obtain and review "Selecting an ISDN Terminal Adapter" (if you
have chosen Dial-Up ISDN service) or "Selecting an ISDN Router" if you
have chosen Dedicated ISDN service.  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
		(the FAQ you are reading)
	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 
	  (general debugging tips)


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]