ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI User manual

User Manual
M
ELSA MicroLink
TM
ISDN PCI

No. 20888/0699
© 1999 ELSA AG, Aachen (Germany)
While the information in this manual has been compiled with great care, it may not be deemed an assur-
ance of product characteristics. ELSA shall be liable only to the degree specified in the terms of sale
and delivery.
The reproduction and distribution of the documentation and software supplied with this product and the
use of its contents is subject to written authorization from ELSA.
Trademarks
Windows®, Windows NT®and Microsoft®are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Corp.
All other names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The
ELSA logo is a registered trademark of ELSA AG.
Subject to change without notice. No liability for technical errors or omissions.
Aachen, June 1999
ELSA AG
Sonnenweg 11
52070 Aachen
Germany
ELSA, Inc.
2231 Calle De Luna
Santa Clara, CA 95054
USA

Preface
Thank you for placing your trust in this ELSA product.
With the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI , you have selected an ISDN PC board which supports
all major operating systems. The highest quality standards in manufacturing and strin-
gent quality control are the basis for high product standards and consistent product qual-
ity.
Scope of delivery
Please ensure that the delivery is complete before beginning with the installation of your
ISDN PC board.
KISDN plug&play board
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
KISDN line connection cable
K
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI CD
KProof of license (yellow serial number sticker)
KThis printed documentation
KElectronic documentation (on CD-ROM)
Online services
Our online services (Internet server www.elsa.com) are available to you around the clock
should you have any queries regarding the topics discussed in this manual or require any
further support. In the Support file section under 'Know-how', you can find answers to
frequently asked questions (FAQs). The KnowledgeBase also contains a large pool of
information. Current drivers, firmware, tools and manuals can be downloaded at any
time.

Contents
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
V
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
What does
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI offer?.......................................................... 1
What software can I use?....................................................................................... 2
Installation ..................................................................................................................... 3
First steps................................................................................................................ 3
Installation under Windows 95 and Windows 98.................................................. 5
Installation under Windows NT 4.0........................................................................ 7
Installation under Linux .......................................................................................... 9
Installation under OS/2......................................................................................... 10
Communications software ........................................................................................ 11
ISDN tools............................................................................................................. 11
Are the hardware and drivers correctly installed? .......................................... 11
What's happening on the ISDN line? .............................................................. 13
Testing the CAPI interface (Windows NT only)............................................... 14
ELSA-RVS-COM .................................................................................................... 15
What does
ELSA-RVS-COM have to offer? ..................................................... 15
Setup for ELSA-RVS-COM ............................................................................... 15
The installation wizard for
ELSA-RVS-COM .................................................... 17
Starting
ELSA-RVS-COM ................................................................................. 18
LapLink .................................................................................................................. 19
The 'take two' license...................................................................................... 19
What can LapLink do?...................................................................................... 19
Installing and uninstalling ............................................................................... 19
Workshop ..................................................................................................................... 21
Remote access with LapLink ................................................................................ 21
What is a host, what is a client?..................................................................... 21
Preparing.......................................................................................................... 22
Connection establishment ............................................................................... 26
File transfer...................................................................................................... 27
Internet via Dial-Up Networking........................................................................... 28
Faxing with
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI ................................................................. 30
Faxing over ISDN with
ELSA-RVS-COM .......................................................... 30
Telephone and answering machine...................................................................... 33
Data Transfer ........................................................................................................ 35
Dial-Up Networking under Windows 98 ......................................................... 35
EuroFileTransfer with
ELSA-RVS-COM ............................................................ 39

Contents
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
VI
ISDN Connections ....................................................................................................... 43
Introduction––What Does ISDN Involve? ............................................................ 43
The Basic Package––ISDN with Analog Devices................................................. 47
The Next Step up––For Freelancers..................................................................... 50
Stage 2––For Small Companies........................................................................... 52
Appendix .......................................................................................................................55
Technical Data...................................................................................................... 55
Pin assignments ................................................................................................... 56
Warranty conditions ............................................................................................. 57
Index .............................................................................................................................. 59

Introduction
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
1
Introduction
This plug&play ISDN PC board ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI is the comprehensive ISDN solu-
tion for the PCI bus systems. The board may be used under Windows NT 4.0, Windows
98, Windows 95 Linux and OS/2.
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI upgrades your PC to a com-
plete ISDN communications center with Group 3 fax, answering machine, EuroFileTrans-
fer and Internet access components.
The board is ready for immediate use thanks to the included software with its preconfig-
ured components for all major communications applications.
What does
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
offer?
The following is an outline of the principal features of the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI to
give you a quick overview of its capabilities.
Simple installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI ISDN PC boards are particularly easy to install:
KInsert the board.
KStart your computer.
KInstall the software.
KGo!
Connecting the board to the S0interface
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI permits the connection of a PC to the S0interface of an ISDN
basic rate connection or a PBX (private branch exchange) system.
ISDN operation
The ISDN PC board works via the ISDN interface according to various transmission pro-
tocols at speeds of up to 128,000 bps. The highest data rates are reached with the use
of channel bundling (multilink PPP), e.g. when using NDIS-WAN miniports.
Status displays
Two color-coded LEDs on the mounting bracket of your
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board
permit the monitoring of the ISDN connection and the line to facilitate troubleshooting
of possible system faults.

Introduction
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
2
Applications
The accompanying software enables
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI applications such as:
KAccess to the Internet and online services (e.g. via Dial-Up Network)
KRemote access with a full version of LapLink Professional
KUse of your computer as a convenient fax machine (with
ELSA-RVS-COM)
KAnswering machine function (with sound card and
ELSA-RVS-COM)
What software can I use?
Simply installing the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI with its associated drivers is not enough
to connect your computer with the world. The utilities described below are in part
installed automatically and simultaneously with the drivers, while others have to be man-
ually installed subsequently.
ELSA-RVS-COM
ELSA-RVS-COM
is a communications suite with a wide range of functions. In addition to
fax and EuroFileTransfer,
ELSA-RVS-COM also offers an answering machine. It also pro-
vides you with a virtual COM port.
LapLink
LapLink is a comprehensive program package for data transmission and control of remote
computers. Once a connection has been successfully established, you can exchange data
between two computers, both with LapLink installed.
CAPI interface
A CAPI interface is automatically installed together with the drivers of
ELSA MicroLink
ISDN PCI
. CAPI stands for Common Application Programming Interface and connects
the ISDN adapter to other drivers or application programs that provide, e.g. network
cards for access to the Internet, a modem or a fax machine in your computer.
NDIS WAN
The 'NDIS WAN miniport' driver for Windows is automatically installed with the drivers
for
ELSA ISDN PCI . Under Windows this software provides a network adapter, with
which you can for instance establish a connection to the Internet via the Dial-Up Net-
work. NDIS WAN also permits the use of both B channels for one connection (channel
bundling).

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
3
Installation
This chapter is designed to help you go online in the shortest possible time. You get a
short description of the driver installation for various operating systems.
After installing the driver, the setup program on the CD leads you step-by-step through
the installation and the software tools.
This ISDN card is intended for use on an ISDN basic rate interface. The connection is
made using the supplied RJ45/RJ45 ISDN connector cable.
First steps
This short overview will guide you through the steps for installing the ELSA MicroLink
ISDN PCI
. Please refer to the following chapters for detailed information regarding in-
stallation under the various supported operating systems and if nescessary connecting
the unit to the telephone network.
During the installation process files may be required from the data media used to install
your operating system. Have the appropriate diskettes or CDs ready.
To take advantage of all the functions of the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI under Windows,
the Dial-Up Networking adapter and the TCP/IP protocol are automatically installed un-
der Windows 95 and 98. Please install TCP/IP separately under Windows NT.
A CAPI interface will also be set up on your computer during the installation of the driv-
ers. In the event that you are already using a different version of the CAPI interface, de-
lete the existing CAPI version before installing the drivers for the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN
PCI
. Please refer to the manufacturer's documentation for further information.

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
4

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
5
Make the first move
Safety First! Disconnect your PC from the main power supply before you open the hous-
ing!
Loosen the screws
Remove all retaining screws for the PC housing and pull the cover off.
Remove the blind bracket
Remove the slot bracket of a free slot.
Insert the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board
Insert your
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board in this slot and securely fasten the mounting
bracket. Replace the PC housing and screw it tight.
Connect cable to the ISDN
Connect your
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board to the ISDN network by first plugging the
cable provided into the jack at the board mounting bracket and then plugging it into your
ISDN connector.
Reconnect the power cord to your computer with the power supply and switch the com-
puter on.
Insert
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI CD
Insert your
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI CD into your CD-ROM drive.
Installation under Windows 95 and Windows 98
Windows 95 or Windows 98 installation takes place in the following stages:
KHardware detection and installation of the drivers
KMicrosoft Accelerator Pack (Windows 95, unless you have this already installed)
KISDN configuration
KISDN tools
Almost all the windows appearing on your screen during installation can be confirmed by
clicking on the OK, Finish or Next buttons. The following information shows you exactly
where you will need to take any special steps.
If during installation the required files on the Windows CD are not found, try, for example,
the subdirectory D:\win95, D:\win98 or D:\windows.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
6
Hello Windows, I am your new hardware!
Depending on your Windows version, the hardware detection takes place as follows:
cOnce the driver has been found, confirm with Next to start the installation.
Windows 95 only: installing the Microsoft Accelerator Pack
dIf Microsoft Accelerator Pack 1.1 is already installed on your computer, this point
will be skipped automatically. If not, you will be asked to install it now. Confirm the
request with Yes so that you can use all the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board service
features.
ISDN Configuration: moving on swiftly!
eIf you would like to use your computer as a server, enter one or two of your ISDN
subscriber numbers here (SPIDs are only needed for American D-channel protocols).
If you do not enter any numbers, the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI will respond to all
incoming calls when in server mode.
Tools for the ISDN network
fAfter restarting, insert the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI CD again. If the setup program
does not appear automatically, please start 'autorun.exe' from the root directory on
the CD. Select the point Install ISDN Software in the initial window of the setup
program.
gFollow the instructions of the setup program. Click the Finish button to copy the
ELSA- ISDN tools to your computer.
Windows 95,
Version 4.00.950
Windows 95,
Version 4.00.950 B
Windows 98
aWindows 95 reports
'New hardware found'.
Select 'Driver from disk
provided by hardware
manufacturer'.
Windows 95 starts
'Update Device Driver
Wizard' and selects the
driver for you.
Windows 98 starts
'Update Device Driver
Wizard' and selects the
driver for you. Select the
option'Findbestdriver for
the device'.
bThe ISDN PCI board driver is on your
ELSA MicroLink
ISDN PCI
CD. So change to the root directory of your
CD-ROM drive in the next window (e.g. D:\).
In the following window
activate the option 'CD
drive', lay the
ELSA
MicroLink ISDN PCI
CD in
thedriveand confirmwith
Next.

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
7
That's it!
The following components are installed on your computer following the ISDN installa-
tion:
KDrivers for your
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board and for the Euro-ISDN connection
KCAPI interface and NDIS-WAN miniport
KISDN tools
Test
CONNtest can be used to ensure that the drivers were properly installed and the connec-
tion to ISDN network is functioning correctly. Start the test using Start EPrograms E
ELSAisdn ECONNtest.
Enter the MSN for the S0connection of the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board and start the
test with Next.
CONNtest makes a call to itself and attempts to perform a file transfer.
In the event of problems, the messages returned aid the process of locating the cause of
the error.
Deinstallation
No application may access the CAPI while deinstalling the drivers. First close the corre-
sponding applications, such as the ISDNmonitor.
To remove the drivers from your computer, click Start ESettings EControl Panel E
Network. Select the 'NDIS WAN Miniport Driver' and 'ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI' en-
tries and click the Add/Remove button.
To remove the ISDN tools from your computer, click Start ESettings EControl Panel
EAdd/Remove Programs. Select the 'ISDN Accessories Programs' entry and click on
the Remove button.
Installation under Windows NT 4.0
Before installing the drivers please ensure that you have administrator privileges. An in-
stallation under Windows NT 4.0 is not possible otherwise. The subsequent operation
of the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI is also possible with user rights, of course.
Windows NT 4.0 installation takes place in the following stages:
KInstallation of the drivers, the NDIS-WAN miniport and the ISDN tools
KISDN configuration
KSetup of the RAS service

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
8
Almost all the windows appearing on your screen during installation can be confirmed by
clicking on the OK or Finish buttons. The following information shows you exactly
where you will need to take any special steps.
Hello Windows, I am your new hardware!
aIf the setup program does not appear automatically after you have started
Windows NT, please start 'autorun.exe' in the root directory of the CD. In the initial
window of the setup program, select the point Install ISDN software.
bFollow the instructions of the setup program. Click the Finish button to copy the
drivers and the ISDN tools to your computer.
cAfter the driver installation, the setup program will suggest installing the NDIS-
WAN miniport. This works together with the Dial-up Network and offers the very
easy-to-operate access to online providers while providing the full advantage of
channel bundling. When starting, a help dialog appears which guides you step by
step through the installation.
ISDN Configuration: moving on swiftly!
dIf you would like to use your computer as a server, enter one or two of your ISDN
subscriber numbers here (SPIDs are only needed for American D-channel protocols).
If you do not enter any numbers, the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI will respond to all
incoming calls when in server mode.
Networks with RAS services
eThe RAS services will automatically be installed on your computer if they are not
present already. Please have your original operating system CD/disks ready for this.
fThe RAS setup will start automatically and will suggest integrating 'ISDN1 - NDIS
WAN Miniport' in the RAS services. Confirm the selection with OK. Use the Add
button to integrate the second ISDN channel as well and end the RAS installation
with OK, Next and Finish.
Update Service Pack 3 if it was already on your computer before installing the drivers for
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI (is indicated during booting).
That's it!
The following components have now been installed on your computer:
KDrivers for your
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board and for the Euro-ISDN connection
KCAPI interface and NDIS-WAN miniport
KISDN tools

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
9
Test
CONNtest can be used to ensure that the drivers were properly installed and the connec-
tion to ISDN network is functioning correctly.
Enter the MSN for the S0connection of the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI board and start the
test with Starting Test.
CONNtest makes a call to itself and attempts to perform a file
transfer. In the event of problems, the messages returned aid the process of locating the
cause of the error.
Deinstallation
No application may access the CAPI while deinstalling the drivers. First close the corre-
sponding applications, such as the ISDNmonitor.
To remove the drivers from your computer, click Start ESettings EControl Panel E
Network, and switch to the 'Adapters' tab. Select the 'NDIS WAN Miniport' entry and
click on the Remove button.
To remove the ISDN tools from your computer, click Start ESettings EControl Panel
EAdd/Remove Programs. Select the 'ISDN Card Software Components' entry and
click on the Add/Remove button.
Installation under Linux
ELSA is currently the only manufacturer of ISDN cards that provides a certified Linux
driver.
We cannot describe the full installation at this point due to differences in the individual
distributions, however. In this section, we would like to point out a few important details
for you to observe.
Before installing the driver, ensure that you are logged on as “root“. Otherwise it will
not be possible to install the drivers under Linux. The subsequent operation of the ELSA
MicroLink ISDN PCI is also possible with user rights, of course.
The installation under Linux takes place in the following stages:
KPatch the driver into the kernel
KRecompile the kernel
KISDN configuration
Hello Linux, I am your new hardware!
aTo introduce the new card to the operating system, first create a new configuration
file. Include the following drivers:
–HiSAX
– DSS1 Euro-ISDN

Installation
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
10
– ELSA Cards
If your kernel supports loading drivers as modules, mark this option for the new
entries.
bOnce the kernel has been patched with the new drivers, compile the new kernel.
cEnsure that the new kernel loads the next time you boot the system.
ISDN configuration
dOnce you have loaded the new kernel, you can set the ISDN parameters in the
network configuration. Select the card type 'ELSA QuickStep 1000 PCI'.
Further help
eIf you're not feeling very confident yet with the installation of the drivers, please
refer to the help in your distribution. The files 'ISDNQUICK.html' and 'DE-ISDN-
HOWTO.html' on the included CD contain detailed information on this topic. Current
versions can generally be found on the Web sites of the distributors.
Installation under OS/2
aBefore you start OS/2, insert the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI CD into the CD-ROM
drive. Use the file manager to run the installation file for your product (e.g. from
DRIVER/1000/OS2/ INSTALL.EXE).
bAfter selecting the language for the installation, the window 'ELSA ISDN driver' will
appear. The following settings can be made in this window:
– Confirm the target directory, or change it if you wish to use another.
– Select
ISDNmonitor (recommended). This placed the ISDNmonitor program in
the Startup program group.
cFinally click on Install. The required files will now be copied. Confirm the subse-
quent message with OK and restart your computer. The
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
board is now installed under OS/2.
ISDNmonitor can be used to ensure that the drivers were properly installed after you
have restarted your computer. In the 'ISDNmonitor' window, click on the upper left-hand
corner and the menu item Information. If the program ISDNmonitor does not start, it is
most likely that the CAPI driver was not installed properly.

Communications software
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
11
Communications software
In addition to the Windows drivers, the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI includes a number of
additional drivers and programs necessary to take full advantage of the features of the
ISDN PC board.
This chapter provides a brief introduction to theses programs and gives some guidelines
forinstallation. For further information,access the onlinehelp of thespecific application.
Chapter 'Workshop' provides information on the use of the individual applications in your
daily work.
ISDN tools
The ISDN tools contain a number of small applications to perform the following
functions:
KTesting the hardware and CAPI interface installation
KMonitoring of the status of the S0interface and data transfers
Are the hardware and drivers correctly installed?
CONNtest is a monitoring program designed to check the hardware and driver
installation of your ISDN adapter.
CONNtest attempts to establish a connection and
transfer data to itself via the ISDN adapter.

Communications software
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
12
Windows 95 or Windows 98
Start
CONNtest with Start EPrograms EELSAisdn ECONNtest.
Windows NT
aUnder Windows NT, click Start EPrograms E ELSAisdn EISDNconfig and
go to the 'Test' tab.
bEnter the number of your ISDN connection and start the data transfer.

Communications software
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
13
CONNtest
will verify the correct installation of the CAPI, the D channel and both B chan-
nels of your ISDN connection.
What's happening on the ISDN line?
The ISDNmonitor is an important utility for tracking the movement of data over the
various channels of your ISDN connection. Start the
ISDNmonitor with Start EPro-
grams EELSAisdn EISDNmonitor or always automatically with Windows to have
the latest information on your ISDN line status available at all times.
The status of the S0bus, the allocation of the B channels, as well as data transfers and
charges are displayed when a connection is established. The contents of the display can
be modified under 'Detail' in the Options menu. Additional information can be displayed
using the System menu, such as the version of the CAPI driver.
The displays provide the following information:
S0 Interface
S0Activation Off S0bus is not active
On S0bus is active
TEI Off No TEI assigned
On TEI assigned
L2 Off D channel (Layer 2) not established
On D channel (Layer 2) established
B-channel info (B channels B1/B2)
Con Off B channel not active
Half on B channel requested
On B channel transparent (chargeable)
Tx Off No data sent
On Data sent
Rx Off No data received
On Data received

Communications software
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI
14
Testing the CAPI interface (Windows NT only)
ISDNconfig offers an additional function under Windows NT which can be used to record
CAPI interface events.
aStart
ISDNconfig with Start EPrograms E ELSAisdn EISDNconfig and go to
the 'Options' tab.
bThe Debug Settings button opens a window with the debug output settings.
These logs (also known as traces), are primarily designed to assist the ELSA Support
team in the event of driver and installation problems.
Please note: Incorrect debug output parameters can impair or completely disable the
CAPI interface. Do not change the settings on the 'Options' tab without consulting the
ELSA Support team.