ISDN Product Reviews

Zyxel is known for impressive feature sets plagued by software and production problems, and the 2864I is no exception. An integrated NT1 is not yet available, telephony functions are unavailable, and the modem froze several times in a single evening of testing.

These software problems may have been cleared in the latest (2.04) release, I do not have a Zyxel available to test the latest changes.

The DES encryption and automatic fax printing (via parallel port) are great if you need them.

The POTS jack provides minimal support, with the modem providing a steady tone that's not quite a dialtone, or a pulsed tone when the outgoing line is unavailable.

• Documentation: One general 2864 manual that covers analog and ISDN units and gives protocol, AT commands in depth, 2864I specific information is in PDF format on diskette.
• Protocols
  • ISDN: V.120, sync-async conversion, 56/64K
  • Modem: All analog modem standards, including ZyXel proprietary
• Compression: Modem:MNP1-5
• Security: DES available when calling another ZyXel device.
• Address limitations: N/A
• Usability
  • Configuration
    • User Interface:AT commands only
  • Daily use: Crashes (may have been fixed in 2.04)
  • Subjective speed:
  • Ability to force call:AT commands
  • Display: LED
• Reliability:Crashes
• POTS: minimal
• I/O connections
  • ISDN:S interface
  • Local:Serial, Parallel
  • POTS:One, no extra features