ISDN Product Reviews

Motorola's BitSURFR line uses the same basic case as their analog modems, and has the interesting distinction of being sold in both basic black and purple, making it perhaps the first color-coordinated ISDN device.

The POTS jack supports the basic ISDN features, and provides a Caller-ID signal that is compatible with many analog CID boxes. The only feature noticably missing is call transfer.

Software upgrades come every few months- Currently 'Revision J' is available for download and fixes some compatibility and reliability problems. Unfortunately, aborting the upgrade process usually leaves the T/A in an unusable condition.

• Documentation: Includes well written user manuals, some ISDN background.
• Protocols
  • ISDN: V.120, sync-async conversion, 56/64K
  • Modem: No analog modem emulation
• Compression: unknown
• Security: CallerID, has some support for CHAP/PAP in order to bring up second channel transparently.
• Address limitations: N/A
• Usability
  • Configuration
    • User Interface: at@menu provides a screen interface only on true vt100 terminals
    • Remote Configuration: unknown
    • SNMP: none
  • Daily use:
  • Objective speed: 70ms ping, 110Kbps at 2x64
  • Subjective speed: Good
  • Ability to force call: Yes
  • Display: Red/Green LEDs only
• Reliability: The BitSURFR Pro is not considered to be a very reliable device, I encountered several lockups during normal operation, all required a power cycle to clear.
• POTS: POTS service is good, with CID, Call-Waiting, and three-way calling. Call Transfer is noticeably missing. Can be configured to block POTS calls based on Caller-ID.
• I/O connections
  • ISDN: U interface only. No S interface available
  • Local: Serial port, supports SYNC or ASYNC to 230Kbps
  • POTS: Two POTS jacks, with good REN and realistic dialtone.