Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Digi ISDN BRI ISA products under IMAC Last Update: (7/09/97) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is the latest version of IMAC or Dual IMAC firmware? Version 1.2.4 released 9/29/95. This can be found on Digi's Digi BBS (612) 912-4800 File -> ISDN -> IMAC -> 4001120K.exe Digi FTP (ftp.dgii.com) /firmware/imac/released/4001120K.exe Digi WWW ftp://www.dgii.com/firmware/imac/released/4001120K.exe Running "show version" command reports vers 1.2.3 this is a known bug Previous released was 1.2.2, there was no released 1.2.3 version ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECOMMENDED CHANGE TO ALL IMACs Compression currently in the IMAC firmware (up to and including version 1.2.4) is broken. One problem is that high throughput ISDN links will intermitently drop. The compression algorithym being used in not very good and will also use up buffer space. The resolution has been to disable compression. At command prompt type "set compression /neg=off" this will disable compression. To check type "sh compression" this should come back with negotiation=off (indicating that it is disable). To get it to boot up as disabled you need to add this your startup definitions, type "define startup.0 "set compress /neg=off" ". If you have other startup definitions then this must come first. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is the latest version of IMAC or Dual IMAC manual? Part number 90027100D (Contact Digi Customer Service for a copy) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Does my IMAC/Dual IMAC require an NT1? An NT1 (network terminator 1) is a device which provides an interface between the two-wire twisted pairs used by telephone companies in their ISDN Basic Rate (BRI) network and an end-user's four-wire terminal equipment. Any Digi Intl ISDN product (like the IMAC or Dual IMAC) with a S/T interface will require an extrenal NT1. Any Digi Intl ISDN product with a U interface will already have a builtin NT1. In North America, you have to buy and maintain your own NT1 device. The telephone company offers end-users a U interface. In Europe and Japan, the telephone company provides the NT1, owns it, and offers end-users a S/T interface directly. In North America, some ISDN equipment vendors offer devices which connect directly to the U interface (for example, the Datafire U). If you have one of these devices, you don't need to buy a separate NT1. The U interface can't be built in to the device when it's offered for sale in Europe or Japan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How do I test the Digi IMAC connection to the ISDN switch? At the IMAC command prompt run "sh idp/l1-3" command to find out if there is proper communication to your ISDN provider. It will show which layers are passing or failing to determine where or if a problem exists. Testing of ISDN Layers 1-3: Layer 1 - This is a test to see if we are communicating to the physical layer correctly. With the IMAC, this may mean a proper connection to the NT1 device. imac> sh idp /l1 Layer 1 passes if: Tx_Info_Pattern is INFO3 & Rx_Info_Pattern is INFO4 You should then go to layer 2 and test. If Layer 1 fails : Did IMAC/Dual IMAC boot correctly, any errors on bootup? Check cabling. Use cables that came with Digi or try another. Standard RJ11 phone cable will work. Unplug all cabling, wait few seconds, plugin, and retest. Check NT1. Any error lights. Try another NT1 if possible If still having problems call Digi Tech Support. Layer 2 - This is a test to see if the requested TEI (terminal endpoint identifier) assignment from the switch was successful. The TEI is assigned dynamically, and if passes will assign a number from 64-126. If you reboot or lose the ISDN connection to the switch the TEI will be reassigned. Command : sh idp /l2 Layer 2 passes if: State = Tei Assigned Tei = Number from 64-126 Lap_State = Multiframe Established If you have 2 logical terminal you will see the above fields shown twice. The first time for the 1st logical termal, then again for the 2nd one. Check both because you can have a problem with 1 B channel. You should then go to layer 3 and test. If layer 2 fails : A TEI of 127 (127 is reserverd for the switch) means we are requesting a TEI from the Switch and have not received that yet. Without the TEI, calls are not possible. Causes for waiting TEI assignment: - Switch busy, needed resources - Connection not available yet (customer's switch programming not done yet) Unplug the RJ cables from wall, NT1, and Digi ISDN board, wait a few seconds, replugin, and retest. If still having problems call Digi Tech Support. Layer 3 - This is a test to see if we are getting full service from the ISDN switch. It will check to see if switch type entered during Digi driver configuration is correct. It will also check the SPIDs (typically, only used in the U.S.) against the values setup at the ISDN service provider. These values must match exactly. It is just like a password being approved. Command : sh idp /l3 Layer 3 passes if: State = Active or Established, Awaiting Restart Service = Full, Non Initializing, or Not Determined If you have 2 logical terminal you will see the above fields shown twice The first time for the 1st logical termal, then again for the 2nd one Check both because you can have a problem with 1 B channel If layer 3 fails : Is the switch type entered during driver configuration correct? ISDN Switch Types NI-1 - Pick if switch is National ISDN or the protocol is National ISDN NTI - Pick if DMS100 running Functional pick NI-1 if running National AT&T - Pick if AT&T running Custom pick NI-1 if running National ISDN NET3 - Standard international switch type EuroISDN - Identical to NET3 VN4 - Identical to NET3 1TR6 - ITR6 (Germany) VN3 - VN3 (France) INS64 - INS64 (Japan) AUSTEL - Australian SIGNAPORE - Signapore GENERIC - Generic CCITT/ANSI switch Are the SPIDs (typically, only used in the U.S.) you entered during Digi driver configuration correct? (no spaces, no dashes, just one long number) Otherwise, you must reconfirm this information with the ISDN service provider. If still having problems call Digi Tech Support. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How do I test my ISDN line? If you don't have a remote site to call, then try calling Digi's ISDN Phone number for 1st B channel: 612-988-8328 (do not use dashes when calling) Phone number for 2nd B channel: 612-988-9011 (do not use dashes when calling) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm having problems calling out, what are basic things to check? Treat ISDN call as if you were placing a normal phone call. Local call, just use seven digits. Example: 9886928 Long distance call, 1, area code, phone number. Example: 16129886928 Enter as one long number. No spaces, dashes, or commas New Long distance carrier-add prefix (MCI 10222, Sprint 10333, AT&T 10288) Example: conn 1022216129886928 (This will call number using MCI) Centrex or PBX, you may need to dial a 9 for an outside line. Problems 64k call, try 56k. (Not all areas or the routes support 64k) Problem with 2 channel call, try one channel call Check Datafire termination (turn off if other ISDN devices on S0/ST bus) If all the above suggestions fail, call, fax, or email Digi Tech Support ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm having problems calling in, what are basic things to check? At IMAC prompt run "run config" Go to ISDN Line Parameters -> Check Address field. This should be your ISDN phone number, not the calling side. It must be one long number no spaces or dashes. In the U.S. it is usually the SPID minus any prefix or suffix. Or, you could try leaving the address field blank. If still having problems, write down error and call Tech Support. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Setup IMAC profile with /activation=frame but connection stays up all the time. Fix was to set /idle_timer to some non-zero value to tell the connection how long to wait before timeout. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can't make a call into the IMAC. Get error "No listening profile matched" Make sure you have a proper listening profile to receive the call. Run "list profile /nvram" to list all profiles on IMAC Supplied incoming profiles; listen (one channel) listen2 (two channel call) Check profile parameters are set for /listen=yes and the /number_of_channels set to appropiate value (i.e /number_of_channels=2 for 128k incoming call) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have active connection to IMAC on ethernet backbone but can't see any systems. Ping IMAC but Ethernet lights show no activity. First, Check switch back of IMAC between Thinnet and AUI ports to make sure it is in correct position (nearest port being used) Second, Check or swap BNC terminator or T-connector Third, Check or swap AUI hardware or cabling If all else fails, try swapping out the IMAC box ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calling out getting error "incomplete address" Added # (pound symbol) to end of phone number, then call went active ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would like the ability to have the IMAC when it boots up or if there is a power failure to reconnect to remote site automatically. This can be done by setting up startup definitions. At the imac> prompt you will first need to setup a define statement for the imac to wait a period or time to allow the imac to fully initialize. Then you need to setup a second define statement to tell it to make the ISDN connect using the profile you have setup. Remember to hit return key after entering each line. imac> define startup.0 "set compress /neg=off" imac> define startup.1 "sleep 10" imac> define startup.2 "connect your_profile_name" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calling out getting error "interworking, unspecified" Try adding a 9 to prefix of number when calling out ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calling out getting error "protocol error, unspecified" Try adding a 9 to prefix of number when calling out ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can make a 1 channel call but not 2 what should I try? Check you profile for these 3 parameters. /number_of_channels=2 - should be 2 for two channel call /address="1stnumber" - This may work, otherwise try /address="1stnumber:1stnumber" - if remote has zero or 1 spids /address="1stnumber:2ndnumber" - if remote has 2 spids /channel=b1:b2 - if calling side has zero or 1 spids /channel=b1:b2a - if calling side has 2 spids ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What can I set so it will reconnect if the ISDN line drops Change you calling profile's /persistence parameter to permanent. Example: set profile default /persistence=permanent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------