27. Other countries

27.1 Italy: What does our MSN look like?

isdn4linux also works in Italy (ICN card). The MSN must be the phone number with the Italian area code but without the leading 0. For example, if my phone number is 72004681 and my area code is 045, my MSN is 4572004681. Now with the setting AT&E4572004681 isdn4linux works fine.

27.2 Netherlands: What does our MSN look like?

In The Netherlands the MSN includes (as opposed to the German Telekom) also the area code - but without the leading zero.

27.3 Austria: We have neither an MSN nor an EAZ, only a normal plain telephone number. What do we have to use for i4l?

In Austria ISDN lines are by standard installed without MSN (which is different from Germany). That means when somebody calls the installed ISDN number the called party gets signalled a "global call". i4l then says "incoming call without CPN" - "CPN" means called party number. Solution: Set the incoming "MSN" (in reality: none) to "0", then i4l responds to the global call. Otherwise it waits for the signalling of the number you told i4l, and that won't happen (happens only for *additional* MSN). The same applies to the setup of your getty.

On the other hand you should set the outgoing MSN correctly (without area code) -- however, a wrong MSN will be replaced with the correct one by your telecommunications provider.

27.4 Switzerland: We have neither an MSN nor an EAZ, just a plain telephone number. What do we have to use for i4l?

In Switzerland you have to use the last digit of your telephone number as your MSN/EAZ ("6" if you have the telephone number "123456").

27.5 Portugal: What should we use as MSN?

As long as only one telephone number or MSN was applied for, the telephone company sends no caller ID. Therefore the MSN should be set to "0". If more than one MSNs was applied for, then these should be set as usual.

27.6 North America: Can we use isdn4linux in North America?

Unfortunately, European ISDN cards can not be used in North America. In Europe, the telephone company normally makes the network terminator (NTBA) available. In North America the customer has to supply such a device(NT-1) himself! Therefore, most ISDN cards offer an integrated NT-1.

There are also other differences; e.g. in Europe a PRI (Primary Rate Interface) has 30 B channels, in North America only 23. Also the C channel protocol NI-1 is used. NI-1 is related to DSS1 (both are Q.931 Protocols), but both have totally different groups of functions and are therefore not compatible to one other.

However, the firm "Spellcaster" has written an isdn4linux driver for its own cards. More information is available from:

Ian James
Customer Service Manager
SpellCaster Telecommunications Inc.
73 Laird Drive, Suite 206
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4G 3T4
Phone: 1 (800) 238-0547
Fax: (416) 425-0854