ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI User Manual page 52

46 ISDN Connections
Here's a couple of examples:
The same subscriber number can be assigned to a telephone and ELSA MicroLink
ISDN PCI . The telephone will then automatically respond to calls with the 'tele-
phony' bearer capability, while the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI accepts calls with a
'data' bearer capability.
A separate fax machine and a computer with the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI and fax
software (e.g. ELSA-RVS-COM ) both respond to the same number and the 'fax group
3' bearer capability. If the computer is running, it will be quicker than the fax
machine and will accept the call. If the computer is switched off at night, the fax
machine will receive the call for lack of other devices capable of doing so.
Can I Continue Using my Old Equipment, such as my Telephone and Fax
Machine?
Yes, your "old" equipment can also be used on an ISDN connection. You may not be able
to use all of the ISDN-specific functions with them, but any features that were available
on your analog telephone line will generally also be usable on the ISDN connection.
Analog terminal equipment must be connected to so-called a/b ports, which convert ana-
log signals to digital form. a/b ports can be found in PBX systems, as separate a/b adap-
ters, or in some external ISDN terminal adapters such as the ELSA TanGo 2000 or the
ELSA MicroLink ISDN 2 a/b .
What Exactly Is an NTBA?
NTBA stands for Network Terminator for Basic Access. This box is mounted on your wall
by your telecommunications provider, and may have been connected to a telephone sok-
ket left over from an analog line. You may either connect your ISDN terminal devices
(such as the ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI ) to the NTBA, or a PBX system for your telephones,
fax, and other communications equipment.
The telephone socket used by the NTBA cannot be used for analog terminal equipment
once the line has been converted to ISDN.
And What About the Extras?
These are also available under ISDN, of course. They include a number of functions
which increase the simplicity and convenience of telephone conversations in particular,
such as:
call waiting
brokering
three-party service
holding
call forwarding
ELSA MicroLink ISDN PCI