TELECOM Digest Tue, 31 Jan 95 19:09:00 CST Volume 15 : Issue 68 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson WAN Compression For Data Networks (Jim Williams) Book Review: "LANtastic Quick Reference" by Talbot (Rob Slade) MCI Bureaucratic Blunder (Richard Wildman) Hidden Features in Panasonic Telephones (Douglas Pokorny) Business/Residential Long-Distance/800 at 12.9 Cents/Minute (Tom Fellrath) Digital PBX Transmission Standards, Devices (Peter J. Kerrigan) CCITT TCAP Message Format (Hari Kalva) The Cost of Technology (James Bellaire) Question About CT2 / Cellular Service (Aries Hackerman) TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: 9457-D Niles Center Road Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 708-329-0571 Fax: 708-329-0572 ** Article submission address only: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu ** Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ********************************************************************** *** * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ********************************************************************** *** Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 20:49:12 -0800 From: routers@halcyon.com Subject: WAN Compression for Data Networks Some general comments regarding compression. First do you know about the Motorola 326X FAST V.34? It has SDC at 28.8 with 85Kb sync thruput, and up to 128 async thruput. Motorola also has a 56Kp DSU/CSU with SDC that has 256Kp thruput on a DDS circuits It also has two TDM ports for ASYNC or SYNC traffic up to 19.2 that allow you to piggy back async on top of your SNA traffic. They sell for less than $1500ea. Most compression is done via software in routers. Most like Cisco partnership with a compression company such as Magnalink. When adding a compression stand alone device to a network ie they fit between the router and the DSU, and are no problem. For more information on compression products contact our FTP site at . Please feel free to examine other leading edge technologies listed in this FTP list. If you have any questions please call me at 1-800-837-4180. Regards, Jim Williams CODEX 3500 SERIES 3512-SDC BANDWIDTH EXPANDER DSU ------------------------------- Overview: Data Communications managers are increasingly faced with requirements for higher data transmission speeds, shorter response time and lower telecommunication budgets as networks migrate from traditional terminal-to-host legacy applications to those supporting LAN internetworking. The Motorola Codex 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander DSU is ideally suited to this changing environment. The 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander provides Synchronous Data Compression (SDC) on HDLC/SDLC framed data in one port while two additional ports support the lower bandwidth requirements of polled, legacy data and/or restoral requirements. The 3512 Bandwidth Expander is an intelligent, high-speed digital access device providing up to four times the available bandwidth using existing low cost DDS-I or DDS-II secondary channel type leased-line facilities. The 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander DSU opens new dimensions in network design, flexibility, productivity and cost reduction by providing benefits such as: * Compression up to 4:1. * Reduction of bandwidth requirements without reducing performance. * Extends the useful life of existing telco facilities and equipment. * Reduction in file transfers and quicker response time. * Flexibility for future applications and network migration. The 3512 Bandwidth Expander DSU is available in standalone and rackmount configuration and offers all the features, performance, functionality and reliability of the 3512 family of digital leased-line DSU/CSU's. Product Highlights: * Transmits Synchronous HDLC/SDLC framed data at rates up to 256 Kbps over 56 Kbps point-to-point digital leased-lines providing cost-effective, superior performance LAN-to-LAN internet- working. * Three Ports Standard. One compression port for transmission speed reaching up to 256 Kbps (Port 3). The two remaining uncompressed ports, each supporting speeds up to 56 Kbps. * Port Two of the 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander supports operation as an intelligent A/B switch for restoral of failed WAN links at rates up to 72 Kbps over analog dial circuits, and up to 256 Kbps over switched digital services (e.g. Switched 56). * Flexibility in network design with support for Point-to-Point and Multipoint Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), port sharing (MSU) and mixed TDM/MSU. High bit rate efficiency provides up to 55.2 Kbps available bandwidth in TDM modes with 56 Kbps service. Mixed compression and TDM is supported. * Integral asynchronous to synchronous conversion of non- compressed data is supported up to 19.2 Kbps. Limited distance modem operation is supported for point-to-point private wire circuits in DDS-I and DDS-II SC modes. Benefits: 1. The 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander provides rapid pay back by providing the bandwidth of more expensive fractional T-1 services over conventional digital services to 56Kbps. 2. The 3512 SDC lets you build networks that support existing applications today with a migration path for future applications to be efficiently absorbed into an existing corporate network. 3. As a three port digital access device, the 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander is a modular and flexible low-end data mux supporting mixed legacy terminal-to-host applications and LAN traffic over a single circuit. 4. The 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander lets you continue your optimum throughput even when your primary digital leased-line fails. The 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander features an intelligent A/B switch for optimum restoral at rates as high as 72 Kbps over analog dial circuits or 256 Kbps over switched digital circuits. Since it is unlikely that throughput demands will diminish or that communication budgets will increase, you should investigate the 3512 SDC Bandwidth Expander. Motorola Codex offers a total solution by providing an economical and cost effective digital service up to 256 Kbps at a fraction of the cost of competing products. The 3512 SDC is simple, reliable and economical. SPECIFICATIONS Service Types * Supports digital data services in the U.S. and Canada conforming to AT&T Technical Reference 62310: Inter-LATA carriers including AT&T (DATAPHONE(r) Digital Service and Accunet(r) Spectrum of Digital Services), MCI (Digital Data Service) and US Sprint (Clearline DDS) as well as service offerings from the Regional Bell Operating Companies and independents Operating Mode * Full-duplex, point-to-point and multipoint; compressed channel point-to-point only Digital Aggregate Interface * DDS-I type facilities: 2.4, 4.8, 9.6, 19.2 and 56 Kbps * DDS-II SC type facilities: 3.2, 6.4, 12.8, 25.6 and 72 Kbps providing primary channel rates of 2.4, 4.8, 9.6, 19.2 and 56 Kbps respectively plus secondary channel Data Format * Synchronous: serial, binary * Asynchronous: serial, binary 6 - 9 bit including parity bit * Compression Port: HDLC/SDLC framed data (NRZ or NRZI coding) Data Encoding * Bipolar, return to zero, alternate mark inversion Port Timing * Network, internal, external or station DSU Timing * Network, internal or external (external for DDS-I only) DTE Port Interface * Front panel selectable EIA 232-D or V.35 on ports I and 2; V.35 on port 3 * 25 Pin DB-25 connector (port 1); EIA 232-D alternate DB-26 subminiature connectors (ports 2 and 3) DTE Port Rates: Ports 1 and 2: * Synchronous: 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6, 14.4, 16.8, 19.2, 21.6, 24.0, 28.8, 32.0, 38.4, 48.0 and 56.0 Kbps 7 * Asynchronous: 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6, 14.4, and 19.2 Kbps Port 3: * Synchronous: 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6, 14.4, 16.8, 19.2, 21.6, 24.0, 28.8, 32.0, 38.4, 48.0, 56.0, 64, 112, 128, 168, 192, 256 Kbps NOTE: Port rates less than 9.6 Kbps not supported in compressed mode * Asynchronous: 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6, 14.4, and 19.2 Kbps NOTE: Asynchronous data not supported in compressed mode Network Management * Network management support by the Codex 9800 and 9300 * Direct LPDA-2 interface to IBM NetView_ with Codex DualVIEW option * Monitoring via Novell NetWare(tm) with WANVisible(tm) NLM * Management Protocols Supported: - Codex Proprietary Protocol - Link Problem Determination Aid (LPDA) Revision 2 (Ports 1 & 2 only; Port 3 in direct mode only) * IBM Software/Protocol Compatibility: - NetView Version 1.3 or later - ACF/NCP Version 4.2 or later - Lines configured for either SDLC or BSC * Network control channel: - Data format: Asynchronous, serial, binary, compatible with Motorola Codex Network Management Systems (NMS) - Data Rate: Selectable 75, or 150 bps - Line overhead in DDS-I derived secondary channel mode: 113, 181 and 800 bps with 9.6, 19.2 and 56 Kbps service respectively Power Requirements: * 3512 SDC Standalone: 110 or 230 VAC nominal; 47 to63 Hz * 3512 SDC Nest Card: 110 or 230 VAC nominal; 47 to 63 Hz -48 VDC * Environment - Operating temperature: 320 to 1220 F. (0 to 500 deg C.) - Non-operating temperature: -400 to 1580 F. (-400 to 700 C.) - Operating relative humidity: 10% to 95% non-condensing * Physical Dimensions - 3512 DSU/CSU Standalone: Height: 2.3 in (5.8 cm) Width: 6.6 in (16.8 cm) Depth: 9.6 in (24.4 cm) Weight: 2.5 Ibs (1.1 kg) - 3500 Mini-Nest Enclosure: Height 7.0 in (17.8 cm) Width 19.0 in (48.3 cm) Length 10.0 in (25.4 cm) Weight (empty) 22 lbs (10.0 kg) * Certification - UL Listed and CSA Certified - FCC Part 15 Class A Compliant - FCC Part 68 Registered - Bell Canada Approved ------------> For further information on prices, warranty extensions, upgrades, and service, please contact: Router Solutions 5527 Preston Fall City Road Fall City, WA 98024 USA 800-837-4180 (USA and Canada) 206-644-6082 (other locations) Fax: 206-222-7622 Email: routers@halcyon.com Please check our FTP site for additional product literature and current prices: ftp.halcyon.com /pub/local/routers ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 13:10:25 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "LANtastic Quick Reference" by Talbot BKLNTSQR.RVW 941206 "LANtastic Quick Reference", Talbot, 1992, 0-934605-78-5, U$14.95 %A David Talbott %C 1580 Center Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505-9746 %D 1992 %G 0-934605-78-5 %I Onword Press %O U$14.95 800-842-3636 %P 164 %T "LANtastic Quick Reference" While LANtastic has made a name as a simple, minimally intrusive, peer-to-peer network for sharing disks and printers, its documentation has become increasingly complex. This book can serve as a reminder of the various command and function options. For basic commands, this may be enough: for more advanced items, it can serve as an introduction to the correct section of the program documentation. The book is divided into three sections: User, System Manager, and Installer. The last is a bit brief, being merely a listing of ArtiSoft network interface card settings, and the command-line switches and options for the basic network drivers. The lack of any mention of NDIS is unfortunate. Ironically, the author seems to be extremely proud of the indexing job on the book. There *is* an index, but it is quite brief, and hardly a selling point. Nevertheless, this book is doubtless well worth the price for those working with and managing LANtastic networks. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1994 BKLNTSQR.RVW 941206 Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca Institute for Robert_Slade@sfu.ca Research into rslade@cue.bc.ca User p1@CyberStore.ca Security Canada V7K 2G6 ------------------------------ From: rich@hpfcla.fc.hp.com (Richard Wildman) Subject: MCI Bureaucratic Blunder Date: 31 Jan 1995 21:45:38 GMT Organization: Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Site This is a sad tale of bureaucratic bungling at its worst. I have been an MCI customer since the initial choose your long distance caller days; we recently had a run in with MCI bureaucracy which has soured us on MCI, and convinced us to change to another carrier. It is truly a case for the books. For some reason, U.S. West or MCI changed the way we were being billed in October. Neither knows why or what happened, and neither will admit to any fault of their own. Rather than receiving our long distance billing on U.S. West bills, MCI begin to bill us separately, úÿ or so they thought. We finally inquired why we were not receiving an MCI bill for long distance calls. Nobody would admit to a thing, but conversations with MCI revealed that they had been sending it to an old address -- one we had not lived at for five years. But the drift of the conversation was that we were at fault for not paying the bill we had never seen. They said they would send the bill to the correct address. No bill came. We got a call from MCI Financial Services in St. Louis giving us warning that the bill had not been paid, and that we would have to deal with a collection agency shortly. We told them we had not seen the bill. Not their problem -- they had sent it. I suggested they send it by registered mail, so that at least we and they would know what's going on. Nope, can't do that -- it is your responsibility to pay the bill -- MCI sends their bills by first class mail -- all that is legally required. I even offered to pay for overnight registered mail. No go. Asked to speak with a supervisor, but I was hung up on. Finally got hold of a young man who seemed inclined to listen to what was going on. Yes, he too thought something did not make sense. For a couple of decades, no billing problems, but all of a sudden, one day, we stop paying our bills. But, sorry, it has been assigned to financial services, and there was nothing he could do -- his hands were tied. Only after a very lengthy conversation did we learn that we could pay the bill by credit card (one time only though) by calling a certain number. We have to rely on MCI having the actual amount of the bill correct, because to this day, we have not seen any billing for the two and half months in question. Given MCI's recent performance, we do not have a lot of faith, but did it anyway, just to get rid of them, and the harassing phone calls. My best guess at what happened traces to a $35 billing mistake made by U.S. West last May. That too required several telephone calls, and a copy of a cancelled check with U.S. West endorsement on the back to convince them a mistake had been made. However, the amount kept showing up on our bill each month until October, because, we were told, it could not come off our bill until they found where the error was made! October was the last month we received a billing from MCI on the U.S. West bill, and it was only for part of the month. So, suspicions are that an error made by U.S. West in finally correcting their bill to us created the problem with MCI, and started the dominoes cascading. If this is true, it still does not explain why MCI has things so screwed up, nor why they would screw over what had been a long-time very good customer for them. And I would not bet two cents that this whole ugly episode if over. It's a brave new world -- Kafka must be smiling. Disgruntled, and no longer an MCI customer. R W - Fort Collins, Colorado ------------------------------ From: drp@cs1.bradley.edu (Douglas Pokorny) Subject: Hidden Features in Panasonic Telephones Date: 31 Jan 1995 15:49:13 -0600 Organization: Bradley University Most Panasonic Telephone/Answering machine combos can have various features turned on and off by pressing the program key followed by several digits on the keypad, and hitting store. (This is done without specifying a memory location for a stored telephone number.) An example of this is the ability to turn on and off the "15-second beep" which occurs when recording telephone conversations. The user's manual which comes with these phones only contain partial lists of these codes. (e.g., they tell you how to turn the beeping on, but not off.) Does anyone know of a comprehensive list of "hidden features" for various models of Panasonic telephones? Douglas R. Pokorny Happily running: drp@camelot.bradley.edu OS/2 3.0 & Workplace Shell MS-Windows NT 3.5 This mesage posted with Linux 1.1 & OpenLook X-Windows OS/2 3.0's SLIP software PC-DOS 6.3 & MS-Windows 3.11 ------------------------------ From: Tom Fellrath Subject: Business/Residential Long-Distance/800 at 12.9 Cents/Minute Date: Tue, 31 Jan 95 12:50:26 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) I just came upon this when investigating ways to cut costs on basic everyday services like telephones. There's a company that offers 12.9 cents per minute on ALL long- distance calling -- both inbound 800's and outbound (1+ calling). When I called them, they told me that this program was available to anyone, be it residential or business phone customers. I don't know what you think of 12.9 cents, per minute, but I was on what I thought was a GREAT business program for my home phone where I was paying roughly 16 cents a minute. By switching to this, my $100 monthly phone bill is going to drop to $80! That's 20 percent savings off what I THOUGHT was a good program. I don't even have to wait until after business hours to get the low rates! This program is 12.9 cents ALL THE TIME, calling to ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. If you want more information, please reply with your fax number. I saved what these people sent me and would be happy to send it along to you. If you don't have any accessibility to a fax machine, please give me your address and I'll send printouts along to you. Take a look! This is the best long-distance program I've ever seen. Tom Fellrath tdfellrath@delphi.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Tom, I am wondering why you did not give us the name of the company and their address/phone/fax number so people could contact them directly. By chance, are you a commission sales agent for this wonderful company with their great program? And do you mean to tell me there are no catches at all? No long term contracts, no monthly minimum requirements? Very interesting ... but why don't you want people to contact them directly? Or are *they* the ones that don't want to be contacted directly? ... most MLM programs are like that. Readers, if any of you get anything from Tom on this, please share it. PAT] ------------------------------ From: pjk@mcs.com (Peter J. Kerrigan) Subject: Digital PBX Transmission Standards, Devices Date: 31 Jan 1995 12:53:00 -0600 Organization: Joe's Bar and Grill I would like to a more sophisticated Voice Mail interface to my Digital PBX (Intertel GMX-152D), than I currently can with an analog port. I really want access to the signaling and call progress info that's available on the digital lines only. Intertel has no clue how this could work (they only know that model X set plugs into model Y port). Do PBX's use generally accepted standards for digital transmission (such as Bellcore's ISDN) or is it roll-your-own? I looked in lcs.mit.edu:/telecom-archives, no mention of digital telephony. Peter J. Kerrigan pjk@mcs.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Digital telphony is an area that does not have the coverage it should have in the archives, sad to say. Maybe I will get some good files on the topic to include there some day. PAT] ------------------------------ From: hari@ctr.columbia.edu (Hari Kalva) Subject: CCITT TCAP Message Format Date: 31 Jan 1995 19:04:49 GMT Organization: Columbia University Center for Telecommunications Research Hi TCAP experts! I am working on a CCITT(White book) TCAP application. I need some help in the TCAP white book message format. I would like to know the purpose of the DIALOG portion of TCAP message. Also, I would like to get a HEXDUMP of WHITE BOOK TCAP message. Thanks in advance, Ajay Vasanadu NewNet Inc. Monroe, CT Please reply to: hari@ctr.columbia.edu ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Jan 95 04:03 EST From: bellaire@iquest.net (James Bellaire) Subject: The Cost of Technology I was looking throught the front pages of the local telco directory for Marion, IN (an Ameritech town) when I came across the price list for "custom services." They charge $7.50 for Caller-ID and offer free *67 per call blocking to all customers. I don't want to get into a discussion of how much your telco charges for Caller-ID or any other service. I was just thinking, how much does it cost them? The cost of offering caller ID to the telco is the software that handles the procedure, the hardware that allows that software to work, memory space for that software to reside, maintainance costs for techs that could be fixing something else if CID were not there, etc. Obviously the marketing idea is to spread the capital and upkeep costs across the user base, so a high price for a new service is expected with prices falling when it is accepted and widely used. So cost plus profit = price charged. Now imagine if CID became a basic service, similar to tone dialing. Every line would be given it "free of charge." Of course the basic rate service may need to be bumped up a little in price, since CID does cost the telco something. An area with a 10% subscription rate would need to charge 75c to all customers to 'break even.' An area with a 5% subscription rate would only have to boost the bill 37.5c. So your non-technical "it rings, I answer it and ASK who is calling" neighbors will subsidize the highly technical "my PC VoiceMail takes all blocked and out of area calls; it even blows a whistle and hangs up when I get the CID of teleslease!" type of phone customer. The cost of the software is another interesting question. The telco gets to pay the price set by the writers. How much did it cost the writers? This is where we can get into lots of numbers, including salary for years in development, benifits paid to the software techs, etc. But I digress ... The cost of an item is the price you are willing to pay. The price of the item is set by the person who owns it. If the owner AGREES to give the item to you an a lower price, or free (the best price except when someone pays you to take it from them) you are lucky. And the old owner gets to write down the price he offered you in his income column. If you don't pay the price, you don't get the item. If you take the item without paying the price, you are a thief. And the old owner gets to complain about losing the price he offered you, not his cost, but the price he would have sold it for. If you wouldn't have bought the item at the owners price, even though you disagree with it, IT DOESN'T MATTER. You are still a thief if you take it. If the old owner claims an outrageous price, above that whith they would normally charge, for a stolen item then they are a thief. It doesn't make the original thief any better of a person. Each person must own his own failings, each company its own reputation. If you don't like the way a company does business, go somewhere else. If you can't, buy stock until you can take over the management. Until then be your own person and do right as you should. If another's wrong makes it ok for you to do wrong to them, then your wrong makes it ok for someone to do wrong to you. If you rob the phone company don't complain when someone robs your house, after all your thief was just stealing from a thief that stole from the telco! Something to ponder as you lie down your head tonight. Goodnight, bellaire@iquest.net James E. Bellaire ------------------------------ From: aries@mis.bppt.go.id (Aries Hackerman) Subject: Question About CT2 / Cellular Service Date: 31 Jan 1995 04:08:20 -0600 Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway Hello all, It's common nowadays that several carriers operate on the same telecom services. For example, cellular operators of CT2 standard. Since I'm a kind of 'newcomer' in providing telecom services (cellular) I'd like to know how it works in the sharing methods between two /more operators. That question relates to these subjects: 1. Operation; 2. Project; 3. Interconnection Agreement; 4. Charging / Billing. Illustrations: 1. Operation: The building and maintenance of the base stations Is it 50 - 50 or other method? 2. Interconnection Agreement: suppose subcribers of other operators use 'our' base stations while those operators do not have agreements with us. What's the common method used to solve this kind of situation? 3. Billing / Charging: in case there are 'flat rate users' and 'pulse rate users'. Please reply to 'aries@asterix.bppt.go.id' since we don't have 'direct' news service, yet. I'm particularly interested in providing CT2 service. Many many thanks in advance! If you have any useful information about CT2, it will be very helpful. Aries ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V15 #68 *****************************