tlug: ISDN

["J. David Beutel" <jdb@example.com>]

I'm getting a phone line for my new apartment in Tokyo, and
looking for advice on analog versus ISDN, and ISDN info.
Is there a Japan ISDN FAQ?

I guess my cheapest option is to buy a used analog line for about
JPY50,000, use my 28.8k modems on it, and then resell it in a few years.
Since I won't be doing much work from home, it's viable.  But,
I'm used to having another analog line for voice.

I've heard that the ISDN basic rate interface is two 64k B-channels
for data or voice, plus one 16k D-channel for out-of-band data.
Is it the same in Japan?  How do the usage rates compare (including
ISPs, e.g., TWICS)?  How much is BRI, and can I resell it later
like an analog line?  Is "Always On/Dynamic ISDN" available?

For hardware, I've heard of routers which will establish data connections
on one or both B channels based on bandwidth demand, and also provide
two analog jacks.  Then, there are ISDN modem cards, but can Linux
handle them?  (I might use Linux on my desktop as a router to my laptop..)
And, I'd need another interface anyway to use an analog phone and fax?
There are 2 physical layer standards, "S/T" and "U"?  Which ones are used
in Japan?  Would the same hardware work well in the US?

Thanks in advance.

--
David Beutel      "Oh freddled gruntbuggly!  Thy micturations are to me
jdb@example.com          As plurdled gabbleblotchits in a lurgid bee..."

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