This chapter provides an overview of the Cisco 200 for Windows 95 and contains the following sections:
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 is a remote-node product designed to provide transparent access to LAN resources such as databases, hosts, printers, and e-mail through a high-performance Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) connection. The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 can also be used to connect a single desktop PC to the Internet using a high-speed ISDN connection.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 features a Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) workstation driver that supports two of the most commonly used network protocols:
- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), for Internet-type communications
- Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX), for Novell NetWare-type communications
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 connects to routers that support the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and can also be used in a peer-to-peer Microsoft Windows 95 environment.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 contains two main components:
- Software--The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 software includes two disks.
- Hardware--Two hardware options are available for the Cisco 200 for Windows 95:
- Cisco 201--Requires an external NT1 and is used primarily outside North America. The Cisco 201 may be used within North America when another ISDN device, such as an ISDN telephone, shares the ISDN connection with the Cisco 201. Outside North America, the NT1 is often included with the ISDN service by the ISDN service provider.
- Cisco 202--Includes an integrated NT1 and is available only in North America. In North America, the NT1 is not provided by the ISDN service provider and would have to be purchased separately if not included in the package.
- For more information on the different ISDN interfaces for the Cisco 201 and Cisco 202, see Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1: Different ISDN Interfaces for the Cisco 201 and the Cisco 202
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 includes the following features:
- Hardware and software for ISDN connectivity. The hardware is an Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) ISDN Adapter that installs into a desktop PC.
- An optional built-in Network Termination 1 (NT1) interface, which eliminates the need for a separate NT1 device and power supply.
- Support for all major ISDN switch protocols and security features for compatibility with ISDN services.
- Dial-on-demand communications to help control costs when you connect to the WAN.
- A Windows 95 Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) driver for state-of-the-art Windows 95 connectivity.
- IP address negotiation, which allows for pooling of IP addresses and simplifies network maintenance.
- Software compression for faster data transfer.
- PPP support for compatibility with the Internet and other networks.
- PPP multilink support to enable additional bandwidth on demand.
- PPP callback support to control access and toll costs.
- Support for static passwords.
- Support for Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) authentication.
- Support for Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) two-way and one-way authentication.
- An installation utility that runs in Windows 95 to simplify hardware and software setup and initial configuration.
- Support for the Common Application Programming Interface (CAPI) for ISDN version 2.0, profile A to provide compatibility with virtually all application programs developed for the ISDN CAPI.
- An ISDN Connection Manager to monitor, manage, and reconfigure network connections.
- Call logging that allows for statistics and data collection for connection troubleshooting and maintenance.
- A utility for the easy creation of new network connections.
- Integration with ISA/EISA PC platform and operating systems.
- One ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) port using an S/T or U interface.
- The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 is fully compliant with International Telecommunications Union Standardization Sector (ITU-T) recommendations Q.921 and Q.931.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 supports the following ISDN D-Channel protocols:
- DSS1, an international standard ISDN protocol (which is also called Euro-ISDN, E-DSS1, NET-3, or ETSI)
- National ISDN-1 (NI1) in North America
- 5ESS, point-to-point and multipoint (also known as AT&T custom North American ISDN)
Cisco 200 for Windows 95 address negotiation is achieved through Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) emulation and PPP address negotiation.
Software compression speeds up data transfer by allowing the Cisco 200 for Windows 95 to send and receive compressed data.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 supports Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), making it compatible with PPP-compliant networks, such as the Internet.
PPP Callback
PPP callback allows you to allocate the bulk of the connection costs to the central router instead of the Cisco 200 for Windows 95 workstation. This centralizes the billing and can create cost savings.
In addition, PPP callback allows for increased security. The central router will only call back verified users at the telephone number for which they have been configured. (If you are using a laptop or notebook computer and dialing in from more than one telephone number, you cannot use PPP callback because this security measure involves configuring the router to call you back at a single pre-specified telephone number.)
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 uses an ISDN network to deliver information using high-speed telecommunication links. Depending on whether or not you are using PPP multilink, link speeds are as follows:
- 64 kbps over a single B channel (without PPP multilink)
- 128 kbps over two B channels (with PPP multilink)
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 includes caller ID and supports PPP CHAP to ensure a secure network connection. Additionally, the Cisco 200 for Windows 95 supports TACACS+ and Radius authentication.
Using caller ID, the Cisco 200 for Windows 95 checks the ISDN number of the calling device to see if it is authorized to dial in. If the number is not on a configured list of authorized numbers, maintained by the system administrator, the call is rejected. This security feature can be used alone or with CHAP.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 enables dial-on-demand routing. When there is data to send, the connection is enabled. When there is no data to send, the physical connection is temporarily suspended.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 and the connecting router achieve dial-on-demand routing by performing intelligent "spoofing" and filtering to ensure that periodic maintenance packets, such as network broadcasts, do not cause the ISDN line to become active. See Figure 1-2.
Figure 1-2: Dial-on-Demand Routing
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 supports a native Windows 95 Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) driver.
The Cisco 200 for Windows 95 requires a functioning Microsoft Windows 95 desktop PC with an available half-length 16-bit Industry-Standard Achitecture (ISA) slot.
Note To use the Cisco 200 for Windows 95, you do not need a separate
terminal adapter (TA); the Cisco 200 for Windows 95 hardware has a built-in TA.
