Configuring Boards for Running PPP over ISDN

To run the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) over Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) on a Novell router, you must use an ISDN board driver that is compliant with the Common Application Program Interface (CAPI) standard. A CAPI-compliant driver is able to communicate with CAPIMGR, which then communicates with the WHSMCAPI driver. The WHSMCAPI driver converts CAPI ISDN signaling into PPP signaling. Finally, the WHSMCAPI driver provides a WHSM (WAN Hardware Specific Module^TM ) interface with the PPP Data-Link layer (PPPTSM.NLM). The relationship of these modules is shown in Figure 2 .

Figure 2
Modules Required to Run PPP over ISDN

Because the structure shown in Figure 2 contains two separate drivers, two boards must be configured, one for the CAPI-compliant driver and one for the WHSMCAPI driver. This section does not explain how to configure a board for the CAPI-compliant driver, because it is configured just like any other physical WAN board. However, the WHSMCAPI board is not a physical board. Instead, it is a software entity that is used to represent one or more CAPI ports as one or more WHSM interfaces. The WHSMCAPI driver can also be applied to many different physical ISDN boards using different CAPI-compliant drivers. With NIASCFG, you can configure several ports that have the same parameter settings using just one screen. However, each port's configuration is shown as a separate board under Network Interfaces .

Refer to the Novell Labs WWW location http://labs.novell.com/infosys/mastr_06.htm. for more information about the following topics:

• Selecting WAN hardware based on performance
• Determining whether to run PPP over a CAPI-compliant WAN interface
• Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of running PPP over ISDN
• Getting the most current Novell-certified boards and drivers

How to Configure Boards for Running PPP over ISDN

Before you begin, you must configure a physical WAN board.

To configure a WHSMCAPI board, complete the following steps:

1. Load NIASCFG, then select the following parameter path:

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing > Boards

2. Do one of the following:

   If you are configuring a new WHSMCAPI board:

   • Press Ins to display the list of available drivers.
   • Select the WHSMCAPI driver.
   • Enter a name for the new board.

     The WHSMCAPI Configuration menu appears.

   If you are changing an existing WHSMCAPI board configuration, select that board.

3. Select CAPI Board Options .

   If you are configuring a new board, the following message appears:

   Should NIASCFG automatically load the CAPI driver?

   If you are changing the configuration of a CAPI board that was previously configured with NIASCFG, a screen containing configuration information for that board only is displayed. To reconfigure the board, proceed to Step 3.c .

   1. Select Yes or No .

      NOTE:  If possible, always select Yes to load the CAPI driver using INECTFG.

      Select No if your system has a CAPI board that has already been configured for another product using LOAD commands in the AUTOEXEC.NCF file. A screen containing information about all available CAPI boards is displayed. Select the board you want to use.

      This screen displays the following information for each board: CAPI controller name, number of ports, port speed, manufacturer, and version. Select a board that is likely to have some ports available for use by PPP. This board does not necessarily have to be currently used by another product. If no drivers are displayed, you must load the board driver at the console or restart the router.

      Select Yes if you want to use a CAPI board that will be configured for the first time through NIASCFG. A list of available CAPI drivers is displayed. Select the driver that you want to use.

      When a driver is selected, a screen showing the associated board's hardware configuration is displayed.

   2. Press Esc after configuring the hardware parameters to return to the WHSMCAPI Board Configuration menu.

   3. Enter a value for the Number of CAPI Ports parameter.

      This number indicates the number of ports that will be made available to PPP on this controller.

   4. If you are using a third-party driver that has its own configuration utility, select Driver-Specific Configuration to start the utility.

      A menu with driver-specific parameters is displayed. Configure these parameters as needed. If the driver configuration requires a board name, use the name entered in Step 2 .

      Refer to the online help or the documentation included with your interface board for information about the configuration of driver-specific parameters. For information about the Eicon* driver-specific parameters, refer to the README files included on the Novell product CDs.

   5. Press Esc until you return to the Internetworking Configuration menu; save your changes when prompted.

   6. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, you must first configure a PPP network interface for this board as described in Setting Up in the NetWare Link/PPP documentation.

      After configuring a network interface, you can make the changes take effect by restarting the router or selecting Reinitialize System . If you want to configure other parameters, do so now, then restart the router or reinitialize the system when you are finished.