Select a Terminal Adapter (TA)
Now that you have your ISDN line, you will need a terminal adapter (TA) to connect your ISDN line to your computer.
Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop computer? (Click one)
External Types
External terminal adapters should work with Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Macintosh systems. Because it works like a modem, there are no operating system restrictions. All you need is an available COMM (modem) port.
You should be careful when purchasing an external TA because they will claim to give you speeds of up to 64K. However, many external TAs cannot convert synchronous 64Kbps data into 57.6Kbps asynchronous data. These TAs can only communicate in asynchronous mode at 38.4Kbps. The GIGANET server does NOT support 38.4Kbps asynchronous connections.
However, some external TAs will convert the 64Kbps synchronous data which the Internet server understands into 57.6Kbps asynchronous data which your modem port on your computer understands. Your computer serial port does not support synchronous data transfer and the GIGANET system does not support asynchronous connections. Therefore, the TA acts as a translator.
Finally, please note that with an external TA your maximum speed will be 57.6Kbps. The speed attained is 57.6Kbps because that is the closest speed down from 64Kbps that a serial port can understand.
Internal Types
Internal terminal adapters go inside your computer like any other expansion card. The installation process involves opening your computer case.
You should also note that some cards are available for a variety of BUS types. You will need to know what type of BUS you have for expansion cards. Common types are ISA and PCI for Windows and Nubus, PDS, or PCI for Macintosh.
The type of internal TA card you should buy, depends on your operating system: Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Macintosh. Driver software for the TA card is usually included.
Would you like more information about External TAs or Internal TAs? (Click one)
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External Types
External terminal adapters should work with Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Macintosh systems. Because it works like a modem, there are no operating system restrictions. All you need is an available COMM (modem) port.
You should be careful when purchasing an external TA because they will claim to give you speeds of up to 64K. However, many external TAs cannot convert synchronous 64Kbps data into 57.6Kbps asynchronous data. These TAs can only communicate in asynchronous mode at 38.4Kbps. The GIGANET server does NOT support 38.4Kbps asynchronous connections.
However, some external TAs will convert the 64Kbps synchronous data which the Internet server understands into 57.6Kbps asynchronous data which your modem port on your computer understands. Your computer serial port does not support synchronous data transfer and the GIGANET system does not support asynchronous connections. Therefore, the TA acts as a translator.
Finally, please note that with an external TA your maximum speed will be 57.6Kbps. The speed attained is 57.6Kbps because that is the closest speed down from 64Kbps that a serial port can understand.
PC Card (PCMCIA) Types
PC card (PCMCIA) terminal adapters go inside your computer like any other PC card. These TAs are usually PCMCIA Type II cards, so your laptop must have at least one open Type II slot.
The type of TA card you should buy, depends on your operating system: Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Macintosh. Driver software for the TA card is usually included.
Would you like more information about External TAs or PC Card TAs? (Click one)
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GIGANET Recommends:
NEC Aterm IT45 or ATerm IT55
Features:
- We have tested both the IT45 and IT55 using Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and Macintosh systems with no problems.
- The IT55 will not work at 128K. It will connect, but data transfers extremely slowly. We believe the problem lies in the asynchronous-synchronous conversion producing too many errors when connecting at 128K.
- Can be purchased with or without an internal DSU.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is ATQ0V1X3$N1=1
- Estimated price without DSU: 30,000 yen; with DSU: 44,000 yen.
For More Information:
E-mail: aterm1@mxa.meshnet.or.jp
Homepage: http://www.meshnet.or.jp/aterm/ (Japanese only)
NTT MN128
Features:
- We have tested this TA using Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and Macintosh systems with no problems.
- It includes disks with settings files for Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and Macintosh systems.
- The MN128 will work at 128K. We have only been able to get a good 128K connection on Windows 95. Very new Macintoshs might work. Windows 3.1 will not work.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is AT&F&Q5$S12 (or AT&F&Q5$S12S172=1 for 128K)
- Estimated price without DSU: 56,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 0120-128064
Fax: 0120-128194
Homepage: http://www.sphere.ad.jp/te-tokyo/ or http://www.bug.co.jp/topics/mn_sup.html (both Japanese only)
Tested But Not Recommended:
NTI TA777
Features:
- We have tested this TA using Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and Macintosh systems and it works.
- You canNOT use normal dial-up software for Windows 95 and Macintosh systems.
- Does NOT have standard ATDT and ATH0 commands!
- Requires special scripts to work with Windows 3.1
- Requires manual login to work with Windows 95 and Macintosh.
- Estimated price without DSU: 38,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-5351-1535
Fax: 03-5351-1518
Homepage: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/asahinet/ta777-j.html (Japanese only)
Should Work But Not Tested:
Omron FW6420
Features:
- We have not yet received a model for testing.
- Can be purchased with or without an internal DSU.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-5543-3191
Homepage: http://www.omron.co.jp/
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GIGANET Recommends:
Windows 95
Zeal R246c
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 systems with no problems.
- Installs easily and uses a COMM port like an internal modem.
- Available in ISA models only.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is AT$M6
- Estimated price: 10,000 yen.
For More Information:
Fax: 03-5722-7316
E-mail: sup@po.zeal.co.jp
Homepage: http://www.zeal.co.jp/e0000.html
Suntac TS64DS
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 systems with no problems.
- Includes Windows 95 driver disk.
- Available in ISA models only.
- Only works with Windows 95.
- Estimated price: 25,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 0120-863810
NTT AT-64ST
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 systems with no problems.
- Installs easily and uses a COMM port like an internal modem.
- Available in ISA models only. Identical to Zeal R246c above.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is AT$M6
- Estimated price: 12,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: (044) 220-2031, Fax: (044) 220-2088
Homepage: http://www.ntt-at.co.jp/products/introduce-a.html (Japanese only)
Elmic Surf2Surf
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 systems with no problems.
- Includes Windows 95 driver disk.
- Available in ISA bus and PC98 bus models.
- For Windows 3.1 it only works with Internet Chameleon settings.
- Estimated price: 37,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 0120-045690
Homepage: http://www.elmic.co.jp/ (Japanese only)
Macintosh
CSS TimeLiner
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Macintosh systems with no problems and even works at 128K.
- Includes Macintosh driver disk.
- Available in Nubus (Mac II series, older PPC), PDS (LC series), and PCI (newer PPC) models.
- Only available internal card for Macintosh.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is AT&F!V3 (or AT&F!V4 for 128K)
- Estimated price: 60,000 yen for PCI and Nubus; 42,000 yen for PDS.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-5489-7411
Fax: 03-5489-7169
Homepage: http://www.css.co.jp/ (Japanese only)
Windows 3.1
Zeal R246c
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 systems with no problems.
- Installs easily and uses a COMM port like an internal modem.
- Available in ISA models only.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is AT$M6
- Estimated price: 10,000 yen.
For More Information:
Fax: 03-5722-7316
E-mail: sup@po.zeal.co.jp
Homepage: http://www.zeal.co.jp/e0000.html
NTT AT-64ST
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 systems with no problems.
- Installs easily and uses a COMM port like an internal modem.
- Available in ISA models only. Identical to Zeal R246c above.
- The "init string" to use with GIGANET service is AT$M6
- Estimated price: 12,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: (044) 220-2031, Fax: (044) 220-2088
Homepage: http://www.ntt-at.co.jp/products/introduce-a.html (Japanese only)
Tested But Not Recommended:
Elmic Surf2Surf
Features:
- We were not successful with this TA on Windows 3.1 systems.
- Includes Windows 3.1 driver disk that requires Internet Chameleon.
- The setup software failed to install correctly with the English copy of Internet Chameleon.
- Available in ISA bus and PC98 bus models.
- Estimated price: 37,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 0120-045690
Homepage: http://www.elmic.co.jp/ (Japanese only)
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GIGANET Recommends:
Windows 95 and Macintosh
Ratoc REX-9560
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 and Macintosh systems with no problems.
- Includes Windows 95 and Macintosh driver disks.
- Estimated price: 40,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 06-633-8263
Fax: 06-633-8295
Homepage: http://www.rexpccard.co.jp/ (Japanese only)
BUG Linkboy D64K
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh systems with no problems.
- Includes Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh driver disk.
- The Linkboy D128K model will be out soon and we expect it to work as well.
- Estimated price: 50,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-3486-6710
Fax: 03-3486-6702
Homepage: http://www.bug.co.jp/ (Japanese only)
Logitec LPMTA128
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95 and Macintosh systems with no problems.
- Includes Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh driver disk.
- Requires Internet Chameleon to use with Windows 3.1.
- Estimated price: 40,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-3486-6710
Fax: 03-3486-6702
Homepage: http://www.logitec.co.jp/goods/pcmcia/lpm-ta.htm (Japanese only)
Windows 3.1
BUG Linkboy D64K
Features:
- We have tested this TA on Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh systems with no problems.
- Includes Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh driver disk.
- The Linkboy D128K model will be out soon and we expect it to work as well.
- Estimated price: 50,000 yen.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-3486-6710
Fax: 03-3486-6702
Homepage: http://www.bug.co.jp/ (Japanese only)
Should Work But Not Tested:
Panasonic TO-TAC128
Features:
- We have not yet received a model for testing.
- Includes Windows 95 and Macintosh driver disks.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-3834-2921
Fax: 03-3834-3986
Homepage: http://media.mei.co.jp:8005/p3/ (Japanese only)
Omron FW6420C
Features:
- We have not yet received a model for testing.
- Includes Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 driver disk.
For More Information:
Tel: 03-5543-3191
Homepage: http://www.omron.co.jp/
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Now, move on to Step Three, signing up with GIGANET |
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If you already have a GIGANET account, move on to Step Four, connecting everything |
