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?
A 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 Astricom or your local dealer 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)