FAQ for isdn4linux Matthias Hessler (hessler@isdn4linux.de) v2.0.97, 11 June 2005 If you are reading this FAQ online, you may consider downloading the whole thing, and reading it offline (much cheaper). To download the latest version of this FAQ in TXT/HTML/SGML format, go to the homepage of this FAQ: . A German translation of the FAQ is available at: . This FAQ answers questions that were frequently asked in the newsgroup de.alt.comm.isdn4linux. It contains questions any user should know about ISDN under Linux using isdn4linux, as well as hints on how to best make use of all the features isdn4linux provides. Version 2 of the FAQ is derived from an earlier version which had become outdated at the time of this writing. To obtain information on old versions of isdn4linux (1997 and earlier) please have a look at the FAQ version 1.3.4. About the format of this FAQ: The main basis of this FAQ is the i4l mailing list (see question ``docu_mailinglist''). I've treated the knowledge gained from reading as public domain, without quoting the author of the original mail. The FAQ is now written in SGML, as this format is flexible to convert into any other form of documenta- tion (though some restrictions apply). The FAQ is now maintained in English since German-speaking people can easily follow the mailing list/newsgroup (or search in the archives). Whoever wants to translate back to German is welcome to do so! The countless links in this docu- ments are not always complete and I'm sure many are no longer correct. I do not have the time to check them all. If you discover a bad link, please let me know (I'll try to install some automatic checking when I have the time). Additions, improvements and other suggestions are always welcome (also correction of typographical errors!), preferably send "diffs" from the SGML version. Thank you very much in advance! Send feedback about this FAQ to: i4lfaq@isdn4linux.de or: hessler@isdn4linux.de. The newest version of this FAQ can be found at: or: . This FAQ is protected by the GNU General Public License (GPL) Version 2; (C) 1999-2002 Matthias Hessler (for version 2.0) Distribution under the terms of the GPL is welcome. However, we offer NO GUARANTEES for the information herein. Please read the GNU General Public License for further details. A printed version is available from Free Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. An electronic version is available from the author. ______________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents 1. general: General information about isdn4linux 1.1 general_i4l: What is isdn4linux? 1.2 general_hardware: What hardware is supported by isdn4linux? 1.3 general_features: What features are supported by isdn4linux? 1.4 general_countries: Which countries are supported by isdn4linux? 1.5 general_docu: Where do I find more documentation, how-to's, helpful tips & tricks? 1.6 general_getlatest: Where do I get the latest version of isdn4linux? 1.7 general_contacts: How can I get in contact with the developers? 2. distrib: Distribution 2.1 distrib_getlatest: How can I get the latest isdn4linux? 2.2 distrib_cvs: How can I access the source from the current development/what is the CVS tree all about? 3. Features 3.1 feature_not: Which ISDN features cannot be offered by isdn4linux? 3.2 feature_data: Which ISDN data transmission modes are supported? 3.3 feature_voice: Has isdn4linux voice support (e.g. answering machine, voice-over-ip gateway for H.323 clients)? 3.4 feature_fax: Can I fax with isdn4linux? 3.5 feature_modem: Can isdn4linux connect to/be called by an analog modem? 3.6 feature_divert: Is it possible to initiate call forwarding with i4l? 3.7 feature_ipx: Can I route ipx/spx over ISDN with Linux? 3.8 feature_2channel: Does isdn4linux support channel bundling? 3.9 feature_diald: Can I combine isdn4linux with diald? 3.10 feature_dod: Does the driver support "dial on demand"? 3.11 feature_sms: Can I send SMS (short messages) to my mobile phone via ISDN? 3.12 feature_btx: Is the German videotex/Btx/Datex-J possible with isdn4linux? 3.13 feature_clock: Can I set the clock of my computer with ISDN? 3.14 feature_dosemu: Can I use isdn4linux under dosemu? 3.15 feature_capi: Is there a CAPI interface available? 3.16 feature_uus: Is UUS (user to user signaling) supported? 3.17 feature_subaddressing: Is subaddressing supported? 3.18 feature_gsmv110: Can I connect from my PDA via GMS cellular phone to isdn4linux? 3.19 feature_reversedcard: Can isdn4linux log ALL actions happening on the ISDN bus (dual mode/reversed card/COLP/...)? 3.20 feature_chargeint: Can isdn4linux hang up just before the ISDN provider would charge me for another unit? 3.21 feature_eurofile: Can isdn4linux download or offer files via EFT (Eurofile transfer)? 3.22 feature_leased: Can isdn4linux handle leased lines (e.g. D64S)? 3.23 feature_pointtopoint: Can isdn4linux work in point-to-point mode as well as in multi-device mode? 3.24 feature_ntmode: Does isdn4linux support running a card in NT mode? 3.25 feature_crossedcable: Can isdn4linux directly connect two ISDN user devices (two ISDN cards) via a crossed cable? 3.26 feature_lcr: Can isdn4linux do least cost routing (LCR)? 3.27 feature_internetdialin: Can isdn4linux be setup such that it dials into the Internet, whenever I call it via telephone? 3.28 feature_future: Which features are planned for the future? 4. docu: Documentation, Howto's, Tips & Tricks, Mailing List/Newsgroup 4.1 docu_first: What documents should I read first? 4.2 docu_website: Where is the official website for isdn4linux? 4.3 docu_abc: Where do I find documentation on the abc extensions? 4.4 docu_newsgroup: Where is the newsgroup for isdn4linux? 4.5 docu_mailinglist: Where is the mailing list for isdn4linux? 4.6 docu_maillistdigest: How can I get a digest of the mailing list for isdn4linux (only one message per day)? 4.7 docu_mailarchive: Is there an archive of the isdn4linux mailing list? 5. hardware: Supported hardware, its specialities, and hardware-related problems 5.1 hardware_support: Which hardware is supported? 5.2 hardware_activepassive: What is the difference between an active and a passive ISDN card? 5.3 hardware_recommend: Which card is recommended by the developers? 5.4 hardware_external: Does isdn4linux support external terminal adapters? 5.5 hardware_cabeling: How should I wire my ISDN cables? 5.6 hardware_irq: Why should I avoid IRQ 12 and 15 for my ISDN card? 5.7 hardware_irqsharing: Can the isdn4linux driver work with shared interrupts? 5.8 hardware_s2m: Which S2M cards are supported? 5.9 hardware_pcmcia: Which PCMCIA cards are supported? 5.10 hardware_smp: Can I run isdn4linux on my multi-CPU board? 5.11 hardware_64bit: Can I run isdn4linux on 64bit hardware with Linux? 5.12 hardware_alpha: Can I run isdn4linux on a DEC Alpha with Linux? 5.13 hardware_sun: Can I run isdn4linux on a Sun workstation? 5.14 hardware_ppc: Can I run isdn4linux on a PowerPC with Linux? 5.15 hardware_maxcards: How many ISDN cards can I put into my computer? 5.16 hardware_hfc: What is special about card with an HFC chip? 5.17 hardware_elsa: What should I know about ISDN cards from ELSA? 5.18 hardware_sedlbauer: What is special about the Sedlbauer card? 5.19 hardware_teles: What should I know about before buying an ISDN card from Teles? 5.20 hardware_fritz: What should I know when configuring a Fritz! card (also known as: AVM A1, Teledat 150, BT Speedway)? 5.21 hardware_avmb1: What is special about the AVM B1 card? 5.22 hardware_hypercope: What is special about the Hypercope cards? 5.23 hardware_icn: What is special about the ICN card? 5.24 hardware_isurf: What should I know about the Siemens I-Surf cards? 5.25 hardware_diva: What should I know about the Eicon Diva cards? 5.26 hardware_crossedcable1: If i4l uses one B-channel then the other one will be blocked (incoming as well as outgoing)... 5.27 hardware_crossedcable2: How can I test whether a a/b cable pair has been crossed? 5.28 hardware_pbx: i4l is connected to the internal bus of a PBX. Any problem? 5.29 hardware_telestrouble: The PNP tools done work with my Teles 16.3 PNP card! 5.30 hardware_elsacabletrouble: On my ELSA card, the LED for the loss of the TEI often blinks. My connections are also often disrupted... 5.31 hardware_elsairq: My ELSA Quickstep 1000 ISA card produces very many interrupts with the HiSax driver. Is this normal or a problem with the HiSax driver? 6. config: General information about Configuration 6.1 config_msn: How should I set up isdn4linux with my MSNs? 6.2 config_hardware: How should I configure my hardware? Is there something special I should know about my ISDN card? 6.3 config_dialout: How should I configure dialout? 6.4 config_dialin: How should I configure dialin? 6.5 config_suse: I can not select my card in yast? 6.6 config_pnp: How do I configure a PNP (Plug and Play) card? 6.7 config_startstop: How can I start and stop the ISDN configuration? 6.8 config_kerneld: Why shouldn't I use kerneld to load the ISDN modules in the kernel as needed? 6.9 config_runlevel: How can I boot Linux sometimes with ISDN, and sometimes without? 6.10 config_manycards: How do I configure more than 1 ISDN card? 6.11 config_manychannels: How can I increase i4l's maximum number of channels? 6.12 config_gsmv110: How do I connect my PalmPilot via GSM over V.110 to my computer? 6.13 config_h323: How do I configure isdn4linux to act as a voice-over-ip gateway for H.323 clients? 6.14 config_point2point: How do I configure a point-to-point connection? 6.15 config_links: What helpful links are there about and around isdn4linux? 6.16 config_misdn: How should I configure the new mISDN driver, and what is so special about it? 6.17 config_kernel26: What has changed with the kernels 2.6.x? 7. trouble: Troubleshooting 7.1 trouble_22memory: I can't start ISDN on my machine with kernel 2.2.x. I get the error messages "init_module: Device or resource busy" and "isdn: Could not allocate device-struct.". 7.2 trouble_littlememory: How can I reduce isdn4linux's memory requirements? 7.3 trouble_debug: How do I get maximum debug output? 7.4 trouble_strategy: My isdn4linux doesn't work! How do I best go about finding the problem? 7.5 trouble_boot: How can I tell whether my ISDN card has been correctly recognized? 7.6 trouble_isdncause: I get an error message like "cause: E1234" (or similar)? 7.7 trouble_e001b: I get an error message with "cause: E001B"? 7.8 trouble_noprotocol: upon startup of HiSax I get the message "Warning - no protocol specified"? 7.9 trouble_euronotsupported: upon startup of HiSax I get the error "kernel hisax: protocol euro not supported"? 7.10 trouble_unknownprimitive: upon connection attempt I get the error "lldata_handler unknown primitive"? 7.11 trouble_notelrings: Neither my telephone nor my fax machine ring when I call them with isdn4linux? 7.12 trouble_guestaccess: Are there sites that offer guest access where I can test my isdn4linux setup? 7.13 trouble_unload: I can't unload my ISDN modules ("isdn: Device or resource busy"), even so I closed all ISDN applications? 7.14 trouble_tcpdump: Why does my tcpdump not work for ip packets going over ISDN ("truncated ip" or so)? How can I get a tcpdump patched for ISDN? 7.15 trouble_locatecrash: My isdn driver crashes my machine! Since I've configured it as a module, the addresses change each time it's loaded. How can I find out where the driver is crashing? 7.16 trouble_lotsdebug: My hard disk becomes very active when isdn4linux run. How can I turn this off? 7.17 trouble_oldhardware: Maybe my hardware is too slow? 7.18 trouble_outofbuffers: I get messages like "HSCX RME out of buffers", "HSCX RFP out of buffers", "HSCX B EXIR 10" in the syslog? 7.19 trouble_noresetinit: After a soft reset, my card does not initialize correctly. 7.20 trouble_noisdnctrl: When attempting to use isdnctrl, I get the error "/dev/isdnctrl: No such file or directory"? 7.21 trouble_noisdnctrl2: When attempting to use isdnctrl, I get the error "/dev/isdnctrl: No such device"? 7.22 trouble_xosview: xosview doesn't show any network activity since installing i4l. 7.23 trouble_unknownhost: When I for example from a W95 box call up a page with Netscape, I only get the answer "unknown host". 7.24 trouble_noroute: Addresses are now found, but now I get "no route to host". 7.25 trouble_nolocalnet: After booting, my local network can no longer be reached. I use the network interface ippp0 with ifconfig 0.0.0.0; the default route points to ippp0. 7.26 trouble_unauthorizedcodechange: When HiSax starts, I get the error messages 'Approval certification failed, unauthorized source code changes'? 7.27 trouble_crcerror: How can I see the number of packets for HiSax with invalid CRC? 7.28 trouble_amproglibtool: When compiling isdn4k-utils I get the error 'AM_PROG_LIBTOOL not found'? 8. msn: Configuration/MSNs 8.1 msn_my1: What is my MSN? What if I don't have any? 8.2 msn_my2: How can I find out how my telephone number is transmitted to the calling party? 8.3 msn_config: How do I configure my MSN? 8.4 msn_max: How many MSNs as a maximum can I use for an isdn card? 8.5 msn_mindialin: How can I minimize usage of MSNs for digital data dialin? 8.6 msn_onlyone: How can I use one MSN for everything? 8.7 msn_buendel: Can I have several NTBAs, all with the same MSN? 9. lan: ISDN4LINUX in a LAN 9.1 lan_config: How can I set up Linux so that other computers in my LAN can access the internet via my Linux computer? 9.2 lan_modemserver: How can I allow the users in my LAN to dial out via the ISDN card(s) in my Linux PC (like a modem server)? 10. dialout: Configuration of Dial-Out 10.1 dialout_config: How do I configure dialout properly? 10.2 dialout_dialmode: When an IP packet should go over the link (which usually triggers a dialout), all I see in the log is: "dial rejected: interface not in dialmode auto"? 10.3 dialout_advanced: What special dialout features are available? 10.4 dialout_permission: How can I allow a normal user to initiate dialouts? 10.5 dialout_manycards: How do I configure dialout with more than 1 ISDN card? 10.6 dialout_fixedchannel: How can I force HiSax to always dial out on a specific B channel? 10.7 dialout_dynip: On dynamic ip assignment, how do I find out which ip address is being used for dialout? 10.8 dialout_bind: A dns query causes bind to dial out. Why does it take about a minute before it is answered? How do I work around it? 11. pap: Authenticate properly (especially with PAP) 11.1 pap_optionauth: When dialing out, I get the message "pppd: peer authentication required but no authentication files accessible." What does this mean? 11.2 pap_requestauth: I cannot establish a connection - it's rejected by the other side. In the log file I find a message that's something like: "sent (0) (LCP ConfReq id=0x1 mru 1500 auth pap magic 0xcd12e9c4" 11.3 pap_rejectauth: I cannot establish a connection - it's rejected by the other side. In the log file I find a message that's something like: "sent (0) (LCP ConfRej id=0x1 auth pap" 11.4 pap_checkpwd: How can I check which password is actually sent to the remote side? 11.5 pap_passwd: I have problems with PAP or CHAP authentication. It does not work although I'm sure I entered passwords etc. correctly. 12. syncppp: Sync PPP 12.1 syncppp_whichppp: pppd, ipppd, syncPPP, asyncPPP .. what is they? Which should I use? 12.2 syncppp_compile: How do I compile isdn4linux with syncPPP? 12.3 syncppp_netinterface: How should I name my network interface? 12.4 syncppp_config: How do I configure isdn4linux with syncPPP? 12.5 syncppp_busy: How can I tell if a connection is unsuccessful (busy)? 12.6 syncppp_logindelay: How can I reduce login delay? 12.7 syncppp_2configs: I want to talk to remote machines which needs different configurations. The only way I found to do this is to kill the ipppd and start a new one with another config to connect to the second machine. 12.8 syncppp_pppbind: How does the (little-documented) "pppbind" command in isdnctrl work? 12.9 syncppp_dynip: I want to use dynamic IP address assignment. How must I configure the network device? 12.10 syncppp_msgetdns: How do I configure ipppd to obtain or provide the nameserver address at dial in? 12.11 syncppp_ipx: How can I do IPX over ipppd? 12.12 syncppp_faster: How can I increase my PPP data transfer rates? 12.13 syncppp_compression: Which compressions can I use with ipppd? 12.14 syncppp_strategy: I can't get a connect. How can I find out where the problem is? 12.15 syncppp_log: How can I get a log for ipppd? 12.16 syncppp_nopppsupport: Starting ipppd I get the error message "this systems lacks ppp support" or "isdn driver is out of date. maybe ippp0 has no syncppp0 encapsulation". 12.17 syncppp_nousabledevice: When I try to start ipppd it says "Can't find usable ippp device" 12.18 syncppp_starterror: When I start ipppd, I only get error messages from the i4l driver. 12.19 syncppp_framesdelayed: I get the message IP frames delayed - but no connection. 12.20 syncppp_noroute: I cannot dial out with isdnctrl dial ippp0. It seems as if the route to ipppd is missing although I did set it (network unreachable). With my old kernel 2.0 everything works fine! 12.21 syncppp_nodefaultroute: After ipppd dials out my default route is gone. 12.22 syncppp_packettoolarge: I often get the error message hscx_empty_fifo: incoming packet too large 12.23 syncppp_slow: The connection with ipppd seems to work, but eventually it crashes or is very slow. 12.24 syncppp_loadproblem: I only have problems with ipppd when the connection is being heavily burdened. Then everything stops. What could be causing this? 12.25 syncppp_mtu: My ipppd works, but I keep getting the message pppd(104): ioctl(SIOCSIFMTU): Invalid argument"? 12.26 syncppp_1stpacket: The first IP packet gets lost on automatic dialout with dynamic IP address allocation. 12.27 syncppp_droppacket: What does the message "No phone number, packet dropped" mean? 12.28 syncppp_leadingzero: Why does my ipppd dial one too many zeros ("ippp0: dialing 0 089XXXXXX...")? I don't have any extensions! 12.29 syncppp_ethfake: My ISDN device is shown with HWaddr and IRQ=0 and base address = 0 when I list it with ifconfig 12.30 syncppp_lzsproblem: I get an error message like kernel check for lzs failed? 13. asyncppp: Configuration Async PPP 13.1 asyncppp_whichppp: pppd, ipppd, async PPP, sync PPP - what are they? Which should I use? 13.2 asyncppp_config: How do I configure async PPP? 13.3 asyncppp_logindelay: How can I reduce login delay? 13.4 asyncppp_fast: How can I increase my transfer rates with PPP? 13.5 asyncppp_log: How can I get a log for pppd? 13.6 asyncppp_suddendeath: Establishing the connection works fine, but pppd crashes just after that (i.e. the first bytes gets through, but then everything stops) 14. rawip: Raw IP 14.1 rawip_whatis: What is Raw IP, when should I use it? 15. ttyI: Configuration of the ttyI* devices (`Modem emulation') 15.1 ttyI_nomodem: Don't the ttyI* devices emulate an analog modem? 15.2 ttyI_dev: Which devices should I use for calls out or calls in? 15.3 ttyI_hdlc: How to I switch the modem emulation from X.75 to HDLC? 15.4 ttyI_uucp: How can I poll with Taylor-UUCP using isdn4linux? 15.5 ttyI_speed: What speed should I set for the ttyI* devices? 15.6 ttyI_max: How many devices are the maximum supported number? 15.7 ttyI_nocarrier: When I dial with "ATD....." I always get a "NO CARRIER". 15.8 ttyI_noincall: My ttyI* device/pppd does not recognize an incoming call. 15.9 ttyI_callphone: Why can't I dial my telephone or fax from the ttyI* devices? 15.10 ttyI_noconnect: I can't get a connection to my ISDN mailbox/BBS. 15.11 ttyI_forcehangup: My modem emulation hangs. How can I force my card to hang up? 15.12 ttyI_channelclosed: During a tty connection, I get a message from the kernel: "teles_writebuf: channel not open". Then no more input is accepted for this connection. 15.13 ttyI_x75uucp: When I use UUCP with X.75, I always get transfer errors! 16. dod: Unwanted dialout on demand 16.1 dod_how: How does dialout on demand work? 16.2 dod_disaster: What is a charge unit disaster? 16.3 dod_causes: What can cause a charge unit disaster? 16.4 dod_off: How can I safely turn off dialout on demand? 16.5 dod_strategy: How can I track down unexplainable dialouts? 16.6 dod_winclient: Can it be that the Win95 machine on my LAN is causing automatic dialouts? 16.7 dod_localdns: I have set up a local DNS name server. Why does it cause unwanted dialouts? How can I find the cause? 16.8 dod_forwarddns: I have set up my name server in 'forward' mode, with one forward address. Now it dials out about every minute? 16.9 dod_sendmail: How can I get sendmail to not initiate any connections without local mail being left undelivered? 16.10 dod_samba: The samba package always triggers dialouts for me. How can I prevent this? 16.11 dod_netscape: How can I get Netscape to quit initiating dialouts when starting? 16.12 dod_rstprovoking: Why should I use the RST-provoking mode/patch? 16.13 dod_closeipconnect: After closing the line, I discover with netstat -nt that IP connections are still open. How can I close these manually? 16.14 dod_onlineoncrash: Is it possible that even with a crashed computer a ISDN connection remains open (and the charge units accumulate)? 17. chargeint: Chargeint 17.1 chargeint_whatis: What does Chargeint? 17.2 chargeint_config: How should I configure Chargeint? 17.3 chargeint_whennot: When does it not make sense to use the chargeint? 17.4 chargeint_correcttime: How can I be sure that the chargeint patch is using the correct time? 17.5 chargeint_nohangup: The connection doesn't end with timeout. 18. 2channel: Channel bundling (MPPP, raw bundling) 18.1 2channel_whatis: What is channel bundling and how can I use it? 18.2 2channel_raw: What is raw bundling? 18.3 2channel_rawconfig: How do I configure raw bundling? 18.4 2channel_rawgoodbad: What are the advantages and disadvantages of raw bundling? 18.5 2channel_mppp: What is MPPP? 18.6 2channel_mpppgoodbad: What are the advantages and disadvantages of MPPP? 18.7 2channel_mpppconfig: How do I configure MPPP? 18.8 2channel_mpppcompile: I tried MPPP but it doesn't work. The ipppd writes in the debug log something like: " ... rcvd (0)(proto=0x3d) c0 00 00 00 80 fd 01 01 00 0a ... sent (0)(LCP ProtRej id=0x2 00 3d c0 00 00 00 80 fd 01 ..." 18.9 2channel_cantlocateippp1: When trying to use MPPP I get the error message "modprobe: Can't locate module ippp1" and "ipppd: ioctl(SIOCSIFMTU): No such device..."? 18.10 2channel_multiplenumbers: How can I set up multiple number when using MPPP? 18.11 2channel_freebchannel: How could I set up isdn4linux to free the second B-channel if a phone call comes in? 19. remote: Pecularities of the remote ISDN device 19.1 remote_win95: How do I configure Windows95 to dial successfully into my isdn4linux computer? 19.2 remote_mac: I'd like to exchange data with a Macintosh (Leonardo card), what do I or the Mac user have to watch out for? 19.3 remote_macpap: A Macintosh with a Leonardo card tries to call in, and wants to negotiate chap md5. How can I switch it to CHAP/PAP? 19.4 remote_cisco: How does isdn4linux work with a Cisco (HDLC) on the other side? 19.5 remote_ispa: What settings does ISPA etc. (DOS, Windows) need to work with the standard settings of isdn4linux? 20. leased: Leased lines 20.1 leased_flatrate: What's the difference between a leased line and a flat rate? 20.2 leased_nosignal: How does establishing and ending a connection work with D64S without signaling? 20.3 leased_hisaxconfig: With i4l, how do I configure my card on a D64 leased line? 20.4 leased_x75: How do I configure X.75 on a D64 leased line? 20.5 leased_splitline: With i4l, can I use one channel as a leased line and the other as a dialup line? 21. dialin: Configuration of a Dial-In Server 21.1 dialin_config: How can I enable others to login via ISDN? 21.2 dialin_manyparallel: How can I allow several people to call in to me at the same time? 21.3 dialin_manycards: When using several ISDN cards, how can I react upon on a call received via a specific ISDN card? 21.4 dialin_analogditalsamettyi: Can I configure a ttyI* device to accept both digital and analog modem dialins? 21.5 dialin_fixedip: How can I assign fixed ip addresses per user who dials in via ipppd? 21.6 dialin_hdlc: Someone would like to dial in to my mgetty with HDLC. Is ttyI1 correct, or do I have to start with ttyI0? 21.7 dialin_autoppp: Is it possible with mgetty to automatically start pppd when LCP frames are received? 21.8 dialin_passwd: How can I have (i)pppd check passwords from /etc/passwd instead of /etc/ppp/pap-secrets when someone dials in? 21.9 dialin_ignored: I keep getting the message "isdn_tty: call from XXX - YYY ignored". Why does isdn4linux (syncPPP) ignore this dialin attempt? 21.10 dialin_async: A SunISDN tries to dial into my i4l system. 22. callback: Callback 22.1 callback_delay: An incoming call is rejected by i4l. i4l then calls back. The reject is not recognized by the other side which keeps on dialing to i4l. 22.2 callback_cisco: Somehow i4l can not callback a Cisco? 22.3 callback_ascend: Callback from an Ascend works only when I set "Active=Yes" in the Ascend menu; but then the Ascend keeps calling me, even when my machine is off. 22.4 callback_banzai: How can I callback a Banzai!? 22.5 callback_microsoft: Does isdn4linux support Microsoft Callback (CBCP)? 23. isdnlog: Isdnlog 23.1 isdnlog_rates: Where do I get the latest rate information? 23.2 isdnlog_servicetype: Can I see the service type from an incoming call in the output from isdnrep? 23.3 isdnlog_callerid1: Why don't I always receive from the German Telekom the number of a caller ("Caller ID")? 23.4 isdnlog_callerid2: Do I receive the Caller ID from foreign calls (German Telekom)? 23.5 isdnlog_spoofcallerid: I've heard that actually two Caller IDs are transmitted? 23.6 isdnlog_betterlogging: Why doesn't isdnlog record the number dialed by my other ISDN devices, since it records the charges? 23.7 isdnlog_reversedcard: How can I get isdnlog to also show the telephone numbers for other ISDN devices? 23.8 isdnlog_rategraphic: How can I display the data transfer rates graphically? 23.9 isdnlog_2callerid: Isdnlog (=2.52) shows for a caller two telephone numbers! Which one is correct? 23.10 isdnlog_soundbusy: I've set up a script to play sound per cat on /dev/sound or some other device. When several events occur, then there is an error: Can't open output file '/dev/sound': Device or resource busy 23.11 isdnlog_noshell: Isdnlog should call a program with redirected output (e.g. play anruf.au 2/dev/null). Why does ISDN tell me Can't start '/usr/local/bin/play anruf.au 2/dev/null' with execvp()? 23.12 isdnlog_blankscreen: When dialing out, the screen goes momentarily black? 23.13 isdnlog_nologging: Isdnlog does not log any incoming call for me? 24. audio: Handling Voice with ISDN 24.1 audio_links: Where can I find helpful links regarding vbox? 24.2 audio_format: What is the format of the audio messages (.msg) vbox plays when it answers a call? 24.3 audio_recordmsg: How can I record my own messages for vboxgetty? 24.4 audio_play: How can I play audio messages locally using /dev/audio? 24.5 audio_convertto: How can I convert audio messages which where recorded by vbox to other formats (i.e. from uLaw to WAV)? 24.6 audio_convertfrom: How can I format WAV for uLaw (for my vbox announcement message)? 24.7 audio_dtmf: How can I improve the recognition of (DTMF) dial tones? 24.8 audio_e0265: My vboxgetty gets a modem timeout, and reports error E0265. 24.9 audio_noanswer: My vboxgetty does not answer any incoming calls. 24.10 audio_nocat: If vboxgetty has recorded a message in a format which can not be played using "cat xxx/dev/audio" how can I still hear the message? 24.11 audio_earlyrecording: At the beginning of a message recorded by vboxgetty, there's often a part of my own announcement? 25. Supported Countries 25.1 country_which: In which countries does isdn4linux work? 25.2 country_certified: Is isdn4linux approved for use by the telecommunications authorities? 26. 1tr6: German Pecularities for 1TR6 26.1 1tr6_eaz: Which EAZ should I use for i4l? 26.2 1tr6_extension: I use 1TR6 on an extension - the extension number has more than one digit (e.g. 206). What is my EAZ? 26.3 1tr6_spv: What is a SPV? 26.4 1tr6_spvdial: Does isdn4linux support SPVs? How? 27. Other countries 27.1 country_austria: Austria: We have neither an MSN nor an EAZ, only a normal plain telephone number. What do we have to use for i4l? 27.2 country_brazil: Brazil: How does our MSN look like? 27.3 country_france: France: How does our MSN look like? 27.4 country_italy: Italy: What does our MSN look like? 27.5 country_netherlands: Netherlands: What does our MSN look like? 27.6 country_northamerica: North America: Can we use isdn4linux in North America? 27.7 country_pakistan: Pakistan: What should we use as MSN? 27.8 country_portugal: Portugal: What should we use as MSN? 27.9 country_switzerland: Switzerland: We have neither an MSN nor an EAZ, just a plain telephone number. What do we have to use for i4l? 27.10 country_uk: UK: What should we use as MSN? 28. misc: Miscellaneous 28.1 misc_standards: Which standards apply to the ISDN protocol layers? 28.2 misc_nonullcable: Can I connect two ISDN devices directly with a kind of "null modem cable"? 28.3 misc_uisdn: Can isdn4linux run in parallel to UISDN? 29. glossary: ISDN specific words which are used in this FAQ ______________________________________________________________________ 11.. ggeenneerraall:: GGeenneerraall iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aabboouutt iissddnn44lliinnuuxx 11..11.. ggeenneerraall__ii44ll:: WWhhaatt iiss iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? isdn4linux is a set of kernel modules which are part of the Linux kernel. It consists of the main module isdn and the actual hardware driver that control some specific card. In addition, the package isdn4k-utils contains utilities to make use of ISDN specific features. 11..22.. ggeenneerraall__hhaarrddwwaarree:: WWhhaatt hhaarrddwwaarree iiss ssuuppppoorrtteedd bbyy iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? Generally, isdn4linux can control ISDN cards that are connected to the PC's ISA or PCI bus. Also a few PCMCIA cards are supported. However, isdn4linux can nnoott make use of any devices connected via a serial or parallel interface (which are called 'terminal adaptors'), with only a few exceptions: the Creatix/Teles S0 box for the parallel port, and the Gazel 128 USB. For more details on which cards are supported see section ``hardware''. 11..33.. ggeenneerraall__ffeeaattuurreess:: WWhhaatt ffeeaattuurreess aarree ssuuppppoorrtteedd bbyy iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? Basically, isdn4linux can receive and transmit data via ISDN in several ways (X.75, HDLC, raw ip, synchronous ppp, asynchronous ppp, V.110). Some of its utilities offer additional features. Two examples are isdnlog, which allows logging of and reaction to ISDN events (including calculating any charges); and vbox, which provides voice answering machine capabilities. For more details see the section ``feature''. 11..44.. ggeenneerraall__ccoouunnttrriieess:: WWhhiicchh ccoouunnttrriieess aarree ssuuppppoorrtteedd bbyy iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? At least all countries which use Euro-ISDN are supported, however some pecularities apply. To find more about your country, check the section ``countries''. 11..55.. ggeenneerraall__ddooccuu:: WWhheerree ddoo II ffiinndd mmoorree ddooccuummeennttaattiioonn,, hhooww--ttoo''ss,, hheellppffuull ttiippss && ttrriicckkss?? Besides this FAQ, take a look at the various man pages and Readme's that come with the isdn4linux package. Then there is the isdn4linux website: . There is also a mailing list on isdn4linux which will give you the most up to date information. To find out more about these great information sources, see section ``docu''. And: check out all the great links listed in question ``config_links''! You may find information in your language, or information specific to your linux distribution. 11..66.. ggeenneerraall__ggeettllaatteesstt:: WWhheerree ddoo II ggeett tthhee llaatteesstt vveerrssiioonn ooff iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? The latest version of the kernel drivers should be found in the Linux kernel. However, sometimes the Linux kernel does not have the latest version or does not yet support your ISDN card. Additionally, you may need to use the isdn4k-util package. In those cases you could try to get the very latest version that is currently in development. See the section ``distrib''. 11..77.. ggeenneerraall__ccoonnttaaccttss:: HHooww ccaann II ggeett iinn ccoonnttaacctt wwiitthh tthhee ddeevveellooppeerrss?? You can contact the isdn4linux developers through the www.isdn4linux.de website. Have a look at . 22.. ddiissttrriibb:: DDiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22..11.. ddiissttrriibb__ggeettllaatteesstt:: HHooww ccaann II ggeett tthhee llaatteesstt iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? There are different ways, depending on your kernel. Unless you are an experienced user of Linux, you should use a recent kernel (=first option). +o You have a recent kernel (at least 2.0.36/2.2.11/2.3.14): Great choice, you have already the current kernel ISDN stuff. Additionally, you just need to get the current isdn4k-utils package from - unless it's already included in your distribution. +o You have an older kernel (before 2.0.36/2.2.11/2.3.14): An upgrade to a recent kernel is HIGHLY recommended. And it is MUCH easier to do a kernel upgrade than to get ISDN to work with your older kernel. Ok, now if you still want to keep your old kernel, here is how to do it: First you have to identify the correct CVS extract for your kernel version (CVS is the version control system the ISDN developers use to develop ISDN4LINUX). Take a CVS snapshot that is dated with about the date when your kernel came out. You find the kernel patches and the old isdn4k-utils packages on or on one of its mirrors (see on how to find mirrors). +o As a developer: If you want to participate in the development of i4l, you can get the very latest stuff via CVS. For this, see the question about access to CVS: ``distrib_cvs''. 22..22.. ddiissttrriibb__ccvvss:: HHooww ccaann II aacccceessss tthhee ssoouurrccee ffrroomm tthhee ccuurrrreenntt ddeevveell-- ooppmmeenntt//wwhhaatt iiss tthhee CCVVSS ttrreeee aallll aabboouutt?? CVS - Concurrent Version System: This is a multiuser/server extension to RCS (Revision Control System). The I4L drivers are developed under CVS, and there is a server (cvs.isdn4linux.de) with a CVS tree to which all developers have access. In addition, Fritz has configured anonymous read-only access to the CVS tree . If you must have the very latest versions, you can get them there, however they may contain more bugs than the released versions!!! Here is how to get the latest version: 1. Create and go to the directory where you want to store i4l ___________________________________________________________________ mkdir ~/cvs; cd ~/cvs cvs -d :pserver:guest@cvs.isdn4linux.de:/i4ldev login ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Log in (asks for a password, enter _r_e_a_d_o_n_l_y) 3. Get the isdn kernel driver stuff (same hierarchy as in the linux source) ___________________________________________________________________ cvs -d :pserver:guest@cvs.isdn4linux.de:/i4ldev checkout isdn ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Get the utility package into the current directory ___________________________________________________________________ cvs -d :pserver:guest@cvs.isdn4linux.de:/i4ldev checkout isdn4k-utils ___________________________________________________________________ If you want to get the latest version for kernel 2.0.x rather than for the latest kernel, then you have to give the additional option `-r': ______________________________________________________________________ cvs -d :pserver:guest@cvs.isdn4linux.de:/i4ldev checkout -r isdn4kernel_2_0 isdn ______________________________________________________________________ 5. After having checked out, further updates can be done by first changing into isdn or isdn4k-utils subdirectory and running ___________________________________________________________________ cvs update -P -d ___________________________________________________________________ Tip: since cvs stores the password on your first login, you don't need to login again when updating. WARNING!! THE NEWEST STUFF SOMETIMES IS VERY INSTABLE OR MAY NOT EVEN COMPILE WITHOUT PROGRAMMING KNOWLEDGE - No newbie questions on this PLEASE! Use the source, Luke! People who want to _c_o_n_t_i_n_u_o_u_s_l_y help develop isdn4linux by writing new drivers etc. can get a real account for full access. In this case write an email to Fritz Elfert fritz@isdn4linux.de 33.. FFeeaattuurreess 33..11.. ffeeaattuurree__nnoott:: WWhhiicchh IISSDDNN ffeeaattuurreess ccaannnnoott bbee ooffffeerreedd bbyy iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? Some ISDN features are device-specific and cannot be activated by isdn4linux for other devices, unless isdn4linux were to falsify the TEI (which would probably confuse the other device). Such device- specific ISDN features are, among others: rejection of a waiting call, caller id on/off, hold, conference calls, differing COLP/CLRP. 33..22.. ffeeaattuurree__ddaattaa:: WWhhiicchh IISSDDNN ddaattaa ttrraannssmmiissssiioonn mmooddeess aarree ssuuppppoorrtteedd?? These low-level formats are possible: +o 56k asynchronous : no +o 64k synchronous : yes +o 128k synchronous : yes (channel bundling - see the question ``feature_2channel'') These level2 formats are possible: +o HDLC +o X.75 +o transparent +o V.110 These encapsulations are possible: +o rawip +o ethernet +o Sync PPP +o X.25 (requires 2.1 or newer) +o cisco and cisco-h +o cisco-hk (=cisco with keepalive; requires 2.1 or newer) +o plus a few specialities: have a look at the man pages. Please note that X.31a is supported as X.25 on top of ISDN, while X.31b is not supported (neither in the B channel, nor in the D channel variation). 33..33.. ffeeaattuurree__vvooiiccee:: HHaass iissddnn44lliinnuuxx vvooiiccee ssuuppppoorrtt ((ee..gg.. aannsswweerriinngg mmaacchhiinnee,, vvooiiccee--oovveerr--iipp ggaatteewwaayy ffoorr HH..332233 cclliieennttss))?? Yes, voice support is included in the current version of isdn4linux. For an answering machine you can either use "vgetty" from Gert Doerings "mgetty+sendfax", or "vboxgetty" from Michael Herold, which is made especially for isdn4linux. The latter is part of the isdn4k- utils package, which can be found on: Also, you can use isdn4linux as a voice-over-ip gateway to let H.323 clients (like Voxilla, Netmeeting) call normal telephones, and/or the other way around. For configuration see question ``config_h323''. 33..44.. ffeeaattuurree__ffaaxx:: CCaann II ffaaxx wwiitthh iissddnn44lliinnuuxx?? +o FFoorr ppaassssiivvee ccaarrddss:: YYeess. Since 2005 the GPL software ivcall is able to send and receive voice calls and faxes even via passive cards. It makes use of the spandsp library which is part of the Asterisk project. You can find it on: An alternative project working on this problem existed (i4lfax) but has not made any progress since 1999. For more info on its status have a look at: Also, an idea exists to extend the new modular mISDN with layer 2 and layer 3 protocols for fax. Once this works (e.g. with the Sedlbauer Speedfax card) then the layer 1 protocol (modulation/demodulation) could be also be implemented via the spandsp library. +o FFoorr ppaassssiivvee ccaarrddss ffrroomm AAVVMM:: YYeess. AVM recently released a binary CAPI 2.0 driver which supports faxing. However, the setup is rather complicated. Get a start on: . Here is a German website which has some nice installation instructions: or or Please also have a look on the mailing list for tips how to do it, and what the consequences/disadvantages are. +o FFoorr tthhee aaccttiivvee ccaarrdd AAVVMM BB11:: YYeess (its firmware has implemented fax as one of its features). Get the newest stuff from: However, it has been reported that setting it up properly is very tricky. Another site which could be helpful is: +o FFoorr tthhee aaccttiivvee HHyyppeerrccooppee PPCCII ccaarrddss HHYYSSDDNN EErrggoo22 aanndd HHYYSSDDNN MMeettrroo44:: YYeess,, aafftteerr uuppggrraaddee wwiitthh aa ssppeecciiaall ffaaxx ccaarrdd. The setup is similar to that of an AVM B1, but may require extra patches. +o FFoorr tthhee aaccttiivvee EEiiccoonn DDiivvaa SSeerrvveerr ccaarrddss ((eexxcceepptt DDiivvaa 22..00PPrroo)):: YYeess. Have a look at README.fax and README.eicon in the isdn/Documentation/isdn directory, as well as: . The Eicon Diva Server cards allow faxing with class 2 commands. +o FFoorr sseemmiiaaccttiivvee ccaarrddss SSeeddllbbaauueerr SSppeeeeddffaaxx++ aanndd SSiieemmeennss II--SSUURRFF 11..00:: YYeess But currently this requires some manual work. Check the mailing list on how to do it (special patch needed). Only class 1 fax commands are supported. You can obtain the patch from: The patch is not needed if your kernel is 2.2.15 or later. You have to enable the kernel option for FCLASS2 (CONFIG_ISDN_TTY_FAX=Y). Also, you need to load the firmware of the card (part of the isdn4k-utils) with ___________________________________________________________________ hisaxctrl 9 ISAR.BIN ___________________________________________________________________ Then initialize the ttyI* interface with: ______________________________________________________________________ ATZ&ES0=1S13=1+FCLASS=1 ______________________________________________________________________ and use a normal Hylafax class 1 config file, where you've replaced non-supported commands (flow control,...) by dummies. For the I-Surf 1.0 also check question ``hardware_isurf''. If you do want to fax now, your best choice is to install an analog fax modem along with your ISDN card. For companies who want to set up a fax server servicing multiple connections you could also have a look at the active ISDN cards. More information for setting up a fax server with hylafax can be found on: on the web site for Hylafax: or on . 33..55.. ffeeaattuurree__mmooddeemm:: CCaann iissddnn44lliinnuuxx ccoonnnneecctt ttoo//bbee ccaalllleedd bbyy aann aannaalloogg mmooddeemm?? Generally: NNOO. It may only work for cards with which you can fax: see question ``feature_fax''. For the Sedlbauer card, you can give the following command on the ttyI*: ______________________________________________________________________ AT&FS14=10S15=0S18=1&E ______________________________________________________________________ 33..66.. ffeeaattuurree__ddiivveerrtt:: IIss iitt ppoossssiibbllee ttoo iinniittiiaattee ccaallll ffoorrwwaarrddiinngg wwiitthh ii44ll?? Call diversion features have been implemented recently. Use the new program divertctrl in conjunction with the HiSax driver. If you make use of capi4linux, then you find a similar program named capidivert at: . For now this is something only for the more experienced user, as so far there is no howto and only little documentation, and it is not automatically included in most distributions. However, it can be used with active ISDN cards. In the Netherlands, the keypad protocol can be used as an alternative. To use it you just dial with the usual dial command from an ttyI device: ______________________________________________________________________ atd*123*0123456789# ______________________________________________________________________ 33..77.. ffeeaattuurree__iippxx:: CCaann II rroouuttee iippxx//ssppxx oovveerr IISSDDNN wwiitthh LLiinnuuxx?? Yes, set up an ISDN interface with encapsulation ethernet, and use IPX framing ETHERNET_II. _m_a_r_s___n_w_e can do the rest (e.g. routing). Also, you can route ipx with ipppd, see question ``syncppp_ipx''. To use pppd for ipx, you have to give it the compile option IPX_CHANGE. However, be careful when using dial out on demand (dod), since frequent ipx broadcasts may cause a dod disaster (see question ``dod_disaster''). 33..88.. ffeeaattuurree__22cchhaannnneell:: DDooeess iissddnn44lliinnuuxx ssuuppppoorrtt cchhaannnneell bbuunnddlliinngg?? The current version of isdn4linux support 2 methods of channel bundling: +o MMPPPPPP (based on sync PPP) +o RRaaww bbuunnddlliinngg (configured by so-called slave channels) Both variants have their own advantages and disadvantages. See section ``2channel''. Bonding (16bit channel) is not supported, since it can not work reliably when the dialup connections have deviating latency. Warning: Channel bundling saves time, but not telephone charges. It is useful only if you really need the extra bandwidth. 33..99.. ffeeaattuurree__ddiiaalldd:: CCaann II ccoommbbiinnee iissddnn44lliinnuuxx wwiitthh ddiiaalldd?? Yes, you can. You have to configure it to use the ttyI* devices to dial out. E.g. like this: ______________________________________________________________________ /usr/sbin/diald /dev/ttyI4 -m ppp [...] ______________________________________________________________________ where [...] stands for further dialout parameters. The recent diald releases contain configuration files for ISDN. See for details. 33..1100.. ffeeaattuurree__ddoodd:: DDooeess tthhee ddrriivveerr ssuuppppoorrtt ""ddiiaall oonn ddeemmaanndd""?? Yes. If a network interface (e.g. "isdn0") is set up, the driver will dial the number. If in addition a hangup timeout (Idle Timeout) has been given (like: isdnctrl huptime