Simline 2 and Simline 6 FAQ
These FAQ do not apply to the original Simline supplied in a cream plastic case prior to October 2000. If you have any questions relating to these earlier units please email us. If you do not find the information that you are looking for in these FAQ, please email us and we will be pleased to assist you.
- What ISDN protocol does the Simline support?
- Do I need a PC host?
- What do the BRI port LED's show me?
- How do I change the default telephone numbers for each port?
- Is there a limit to how many digits I can dial from one port to another?
- What switch type should I use on my Cisco router?
- Does the Simline support SPID's?
- Do I need to use an external NT1?
- What type of cable do I need to connect my Simline to the router's ISDN Interface?
- Some networks expect terminals to retain their TEI after disconnection and some do not, can I set this behaviour on the Simline?
- What will the protocol trace feature show me?
- Does the Simline support channel bonding?
- Can I simulate other network behaviour?
- Can I select particular network call clearing causes?
- Can I test the full operation of just one terminal using the Simline?
FAQ specific to Simline 6
What protocol does the Simline support?
Simline supports the ETSI Euro ISDN protocol,
which is used in most European countries
as well as some non European countries,
Australia and a number of countries in the
Far East.
Do I need a PC host?
PC host is only required if you wish
to change the default settings such as telephone
numbers for each port or to access the protocol
trace function. If you want to use the Simline
without a PC host the default telephone
numbers for each port can be found in the
user guide supplied with the unit.
What
do the BRI port LED's show me?
Each port on the Simline has two bi-coloured
LED's which will give you all the information
you need to confirm successful operation.
On the BRI ports the top left hand LED illuminates
orange when the connected terminal has synchronised
with the network clock. The top right hand
LED illuminates orange when layer 2 is established
(TEI requested and assigned). Both of these
LED's will stay orange until a call is sent
or received at which time they will change
to green to indicate which bearer (B) channel/s
are in use. The top left hand LED going
green indicates B1 and the top right hand
LED going green indicates B2. A separate
LED on the front panel illuminates to show
if phantom power source (PS1) is being provided
and in what mode.
How
do I change the Default telephone numbers
for each port?
Having loaded the Simline configuration
software onto your PC host, connect the
Simline via the serial port. Click on the
appropriate port and select the number tab.
You can enter 20 digits which will be enough
for most applications. If a longer number
is required then you can enter a further
10 digits using the Global Numbers software
tab. This may be considered as a 'dialling
code' for the Simline and it extends the
maximum number of digits available to 30.
Is
there a limit to how many digits I can dial
from one port to another?
In the Simline software under the number
tab for each port you are allowed to enter
20 digits which will be more than enough
for most applications. If a longer number
is required then you can enter a further
10 digits using the Global Numbers software
tab. This may be considered as a 'dialling
code' for the Simline and it extends the
maximum number of digits available to 30.
What
switch type should I use on my Cisco router?
ISDN switch-type basic-net 3
Does
the Simline support SPID's?
Simline does not support North American
protocols or SPID's. This however, does
not prevent it from being used to connect
many popular ISDN terminals such as routers.
Within the setup menu of the router you
will usually have the option to select NET3
or ETSI protocol support, both of which
are versions of the Euro ISDN protocol.
If you select NET3 or ETSI, the Simline
will be compatible and ready for use.
Do
I need to use an external NT1?
The interface ports on the Simline are
delivered as the S/T interface not the U
interface so you do not require an external
NT1.
What
type of cable do I need to connect my Simline
to the router's ISDN Interface?
A straight through patch cable (an Ethernet
patch cable will do the trick).
Some
networks expect terminals to retain their
TEI after disconnection and some do not,
can I set this behaviour on the Simline?
Yes, it is very important to select 'Remove
TEI on PH De-activation' using the 'Global
Settings', 'Global Physical' tab if you
are experiencing any terminal activation
problems.
What
will the protocol trace feature show me?
The protocol trace feature provides a full
'English' decode of the ISDN signalling
(D channel) between the network (Simline)
and each of the connected terminals. When
a new terminal is connected you will see
the information state exchanges which result
in synchronisation between the network and
the terminal. If a terminal deactivates
at any time during or outside a call you
will immediately capture this behaviour
for debug purposes. Once Activation is achieved
you will see layer 2 functions such as terminal
endpoint identification (TEI) being requested
and assigned followed by receiver ready
(RR) exchanges between the terminal and
the network port confirming that both ends
are ready to receive calls. When a call
is made you will see a full decode of the
layer 3 call control messages and all of
the content. For those who understand the
ISDN protocol this information is an invaluable
way to debug any interoperability problems
or protocol errors.
Does
the Simline support channel bonding?
Channel bonding is a function of the ISDN
terminal not the network. Simline allows
all bearer channels to be operational on
all of the basic rate ports so the user
just needs to dial once, twice or more depending
on the number of channels required and the
number of channels available on the Simline.
Can
I simulate other network behaviour?
All networks which use ETSI Euro ISDN basic
call control procedures may be simulated
with the Simline. This includes some European
Networks which drop layer 2 and layer 1
immediately at the end of a call, a feature
that development engineers will find very
useful. Network behaviour adjustments are
possible using the Global Settings 'Global
Timers' tab.
Can
I select particular network call clearing
causes?
Yes, Simline is pre-configured with a range
of telephone numbers that may be dialled
to invoke different network clearing causes
so that a terminal's response to these can
be fully tested. On the protocol trace you
will see the call setup message arriving
from the terminal with the telephone number
dialled and then the response from the network.
All these features are very useful for development,
training and test purposes.
Can
I test the full operation of just one terminal
using the Simline?
Just one terminal may be connected to any
of the ports available on the Simline unit.
Simply use the terminal to dial 4000 and
you will see that the Simline accepts this
call. If you dial 4000 again the Simline
will also accept this second call (as long
as there is a channel available) and it
will place a data loop between transmit
and receive in each of the active channels
so that any data sent by the connected terminal
is returned. The big advantage of this is
that it allows the user to test the full
operation of just one ISDN device and if
it is a video conferencing terminal, the
user will see his own image appear on it's
display.
FAQ Specific to Simline 6
Can
I upgrade my Simline 6 to add the E1 Primary
rate port?
Yes, the Simline 6 is always delivered with
fully populated E1 port. A firmware upgrade
can be supplied by e-mail to unlock the
port. Many customers have taken advantage
of this option as their requirements change
after purchase. Please contact PDS for more
information.
Where
is the E1 port on the Simline 6?
The E1 port on the Simline 6 is located
on the rear panel next to the auxiliary
port. Please note that both E1 PRI (primary
rate) terminals and BRI (basic rate) terminals
now connect using RJ.45 sockets (ETSI specification)
but you must be careful not to connect a
primary rate terminal to a basic rate port
and visa versa.
Does
the Simline 6 E1 PRI port support DDI?
Yes. A range of 1000 DDI numbers may be
dialled when using the E1 port. A base telephone
number with up to 17 digits must be entered
first and this must then be followed with
a three digit number between 000 and 999
which provides a range of 1000 numbers.
Please see the user guide for more details.
Can
I select the channel I wish to use on the
E1 Port>?
Yes. A channel select mode is provided which,
if selected will allow you to use your E1
port base number followed by 3 digits in
the range 001 to 031. The last 3 digits
will determine the channel used so 001 =
channel 1, 005 = channel 5 etc. Please see
the user guide for more details.
Can
Simline 6 simulate leased line operation?
Yes, Simline 6 allows the user to 'nail-up'
B channels on any of its ports while leaving
the other B channel available on-demand.
What
do the PRI port LED's show me?
The two bi-coloured LED indicators on the
rear panel primary rate port (if enabled)
will confirm successful operation at all
3 protocol layers. The top left hand LED
illuminates orange to show synchronisation
at the physical layer (layer 1). When layer
2 is established, the top right hand LED
illuminates orange. If any call/s are made
in to or out of the E1 primary rate port
then the top left hand LED will change green
when the call/s connect (layer 3)