PC-EFTPOS Communication Options

PC-EFTPOS Communication Options V1.02 Abstract This document describes all of the communication options that are available for the PC-EFTPOS product.

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 1 Summary of Features:...1 PSTN DIAL-UP COMMUNICATIONS... 2 Hardware:...2 Software:...2 Features:...2 Cost:...3 Things to organise:...3 Summary:...3 TRAN$END LEASED LINE... 4 Hardware:...4 Software:...4 Features:...4 Cost:...4 Things to organise:...5 Summary:...5 ARGENT LEASED LINE... 6 Hardware:...6 Software:...6 Features:...6 Cost:...7 Things to organise:...7 ARGENT DIRECT... 8 Hardware:...8 Software:...8 Features:...8 Cost:...9 Things to organise:...9 X.25... 10 Hardware:...10 Software:...10 Features:...10 Cost:...10 Things to organise:...11 Summary...11 TCP/IP... 12

Hardware:...12 Software:...12 Features:...12 Cost:...12 Things to organise:...12

INTRODUCTION The PC-EFTPOS system utilises the EFTSRV software to deliver transactions to a modem or similar device for delivery to the host bank. The EFTSRV supports the following communication methodologies: 1. PSTN Dialup using the P66 Modem 2. Tran$end leased Line using the P66 Modem 3. Argent lease line using the P66 Modem 4. Argent Direct 5. X.25 6. TCP/IP Summary of Features: Feature Dial-Up TranSend Argent Argent Direct X.25 TCP/IP Connect 8-12 sec NIL NIL NIL NIL NIL Time Line Speed 1200bps 1200bps 1200bps Upto9600bps Upto 256Kb Upto 100Mb Txn per 34 34 34 150+ 300+???? Minute Cost/month Low Medium Medium Medium High???? H/W cost ~$500 ~$500 ~$500 Zero ~$4000???? Remote Diagnosis NO No YES YES NO YES Note: Tran$end is very rarely used. Telstra now install Argent lines, and it is recommended that all leased line installations use the Argent Direct protocol. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 1

PSTN DIAL-UP COMMUNICATIONS PSTN Dial-up communications is simply a 1200bps dial-up EFTPOS modem that dials the bank when a transaction is requested, and hangs up the phone line when the call is compete. EFTSRV P66 modem Hardware: P66 modem. The only modem supported for dial-up is the P66 modem. The reason for this is that it is a synchronous modem that has been designed for the EFTPOS network. Normal asynchronous modems that run at speeds up to 56Kps do not have the ability to communicate on the EFTPOS network. Standard PSTN dial-up cable. This cable connects the P66 Modem to the phone socket on the wall. Software: The P66 modem is a ROM based system, and the software for the modem is installed by. The EFTSRV software can be configured for dial-up by following the configuration wizard that is on the installation CD. Ensure that the correct bank install is performed as each bank has a different phone number, and message parameters. Features: Typical connection time is approx 8 12 seconds. The PC-EFTPOS system will begin dialing at the ENTER CARD prompt, and therefore the time waiting for connection is usually quite small. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 2

The P66 Modem can handle multiple POS systems on the one phone line. The system can manage up to 32 POS clients, but advise to check with the bank when more than 5 are connected. ( The cost of the phone call to the bank may be high, and the bank may seek an alternative communications option) The P66 modem may be used on a PABX system. Insert the PABX access code followed by a comma (,) at the start of the phone number when configuring the system. The Speed of a transaction on the dial-up P66 modem is exactly the same as the speed on the tran$end leased line. The P66 modem can share a phone line with other equipment, but be warned that other telecommunication equipment may interrupt an EFTPOS transaction and cause the transaction to be cancelled. The P66 modem can process approximately 34 transactions per minute to the bank. Cost: Each store will require 1 P66 modem. Call costs are not charged to the merchant. The call number will be a 1800 number, and the cost will be covered by the bank. The rental of the PSTN line from Telstra will be payable by the merchant.(although the phone line may be shared with a fax or telephone). Things to organise: Ensure that a standard telephone connection is available. Inform the bank that you wish to use PSTN dial-up. The bank will set your merchant records up accordingly. Summary: Advantages Disadvantages 1. Simple Set-up 1. Connection Time 2. Simple relocation. Just use a 2. Not reliable for high volume. new phone line 3. Low cost 4. Simple fault diagnosis PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 3

TRAN$END LEASED LINE This option is very rarely used. Most banks now use the Argent AABP system. A Tran$end leased line is a direct analogue phone connection from the merchant premises to Telstra, and then onto the bank. The line speed of a Transend leased line is 1200bps. EFTSRV P66 modem Hardware: P66 modem. The P66 modem must be used for the Transend network. Aleased line phone cable. This cable connects the P66 Modem to the phone socket on the wall. (Do Not use a dial-up connector here) Software: The P66 modem is a ROM based system, and the software for the modem is installed by. The EFTSRV software can be configured for Tran$end Leased line by following the configuration wizard that is on the installation CD. Ensure that the correct bank install is performed as each bank has a different phone number, and message parameters. Features: There is no connection time per call. The link to Telstra is maintained permanently. The P66 Modem can handle multiple POS systems on the one phone line. The system can manage up to 32 POS clients. The P66 modem can process approximately 34 transactions per minute to the bank. Cost: Each store will require 1 P66 modem. There are NO calls costs. Approximate rental from Telstra is $150 per month. Consult your bank regarding the actual cost and the implications that this option has on your bank charges. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 4

Things to organise: Inform the bank that you wish to use a Tran$end Leased line. The bank will set your merchant records up accordingly, and arrange with Telstra to have a Tran$end leased line installed at your premises. The delivery time on the leased line can be up to 6 weeks. DO NOT organise the leased line directly with Telstra. If you do this, you will pay more, and the bank will not know anything about your setup. Summary: Advantages Disadvantages 1. No connection time 1. Mid-level cost 2. Reliable communications 2. Large lead-time in getting line installed from Telstra 3. Relocating requires assistance from Telstra and the bank. 4. The bank can NOT diagnose faults remotely. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 5

ARGENT TRAN$END EMULATION An Argent Leased line is Telstra s direct replacement for a Tran$end leased line. (see above). The Argent leased line operates in exactly the same way as Tran$end except the communication back to Telstra is via an ISDN OnRamp 2 connection instead of an analogue connection. Note: Argent Direct is a far better option than this service. We do not recommend this service at all. EFTSRV P66 modem Argent TA Telstra OnRamp 2 Hardware: P66 modem. The P66 modem must be used for the Transend network. A leased line phone cable. This cable connects the P66 Modem to the phone socket on the wall. (Do Not use a dial-up connector here) An OnRamp2 ISDN connection. (Supplied and installed by Telstra) An Argent Terminal Adaptor (Supplied and installed by Telstra) Software: The P66 modem is a ROM based system, and the software for the modem is installed by. The EFTSRV software can be configured for Argent/tran$end Leased line by following the configuration wizard that is on the installation CD. Use the Tran$end configuration option for this configuration. Ensure that the correct bank install is performed as each bank has different message parameters. Features: There is no connection time per call. The link to Telstra is maintained permanently. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 6

The P66 Modem can handle multiple POS systems on the one phone line. The system can manage up to 32 POS clients. The P66 modem can process approximately 34 transactions per minute to the bank. The Argent Terminal Adaptor uses the D-channel of the ISDN line. The B channels of the ISDN line can be used for other functions such as spare phone lines, or a data channel to an ISP. Telstra will charge all calls on the B- Channel as timed (including local calls). By default, the ability to use the B- channels is disabled. Contact the bank to enable this feature. Cost: Each store will require 1 P66 modem. There are NO calls costs. Approximate rental from Telstra is $150 per month. Consult your bank regarding the actual cost and the implications that this option has on your bank charges. Things to organise: Inform the bank that you wish to use standard Argent Leased line. The bank will set your merchant records up accordingly, and arrange with Telstra to have an Argent system installed at your premises. The delivery time on the leased line can be up to 6 weeks. Liaise with your bank as to the best option in regard to ordering your Argent line. Your bank account manager will guide you in the most cost-effective way to order the line. Telstra will first install an OnRamp 2 ISDN connection. After this is installed, you should receive an Argent Terminal Adaptor that can then be installed into the EFTPOS system. Follow the hardware installation instructions for installing the Tran$end connection along with the EFTSRV. Advantages Disadvantages 1. No connection time 1. Mid-level cost 2. Reliable communications 2. Large lead-time in getting line installed from Telstra 3. Access to the Terminal 3. Relocating requires assistance Adaptor B-channels from Telstra and the bank. 4. The bank can diagnose faults remotely. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 7

ARGENT DIRECT An Argent Direct connection (often called AABP Protocol) is a direct connection from the EFTSRV to the Argent Terminal Adaptor via an RS232 serial cable. This connection method provides for higher speed and throughput on the Argent ISDN line. EFTSRV Argent TA Telstra OnRamp 2 Hardware: An OnRamp2 ISDN connection. (Supplied and installed by Telstra) An Argent Terminal Adaptor (supplied and installed by Telstra) An RS232 Modem cable (DB25 to DB9) Software: The EFTSRV software can be configured for Argent Direct by following the configuration wizard that is on the installation CD. Use the Argent configuration option for this configuration. Ensure that the correct bank install is performed as each bank has different message parameters. Features: There is no connection time per call. The link to Telstra is maintained permanently. The EFTSRV can handle up to 4096 POS devices. The EFTSRV with a direct Argent Terminal Adaptor can process approximately 150+ transactions per minute to the bank. The Argent Terminal Adaptor uses the D-channel of the ISDN line. The B channels of the ISDN line cannot be used when this solution is employed. The speed of each transaction on the line is increased with this method because the analogue modem has been eliminated. The speed improvement is approximately 2 seconds per transaction. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 8

Cost: Each store will NOT require any additional hardware. There are NO calls costs. Approximate rental from Telstra is $150 per month. Consult your bank regarding the actual cost and the implications that this option has on your bank charges. Things to organise: Inform the bank that you wish to use an Argent Direct Leased line (or the Argent AABP protocol). The bank will set your merchant records up accordingly, and arrange with Telstra to have an Argent system installed at your premises. The delivery time on the leased line can be up to 6 weeks. Liaise with your bank as to the best option in regard to ordering your Argent line. Your bank account manager will guide you in the most cost-effective way to order the line.. Telstra will first install an OnRamp 2 ISDN connection. After this is installed, you should receive an Argent Terminal Adaptor which can then be installed into the EFTPOS system. Follow the hardware installation instructions for installing the Argent Direct connection along with the EFTSRV. Advantages Disadvantages 1. No connection time 1. Mid-level cost 2. Reliable communications 2. Large lead-time in getting line installed from Telstra 3. Very fast transactions 3. Relocating requires assistance from Telstra and the bank. 4. Cheaper than other leased line options. (no modem) 5. The bank can diagnose faults remotely. 4. No access to the B-channels on the OnRamp service through the Terminal Adaptor PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 9

X.25 An X.25 connection is a very high-speed connection to the bank. The X.25 connection allows for up to 256Kb line speed connection to the bank. EFTSRV WanWare Card Telstra Digital Connection Hardware: An X.25 connection (supplied and installed by Telstra) A Wanware X.25 communications card. Software: X.25 configuration is best performed by trained staff. The EFTSRV, and the Wanware X.25 service both need configuration that is unique to each bank. Features: There is no connection time per call. The link to the bank is maintained permanently. The X.25 call basically goes directly to the bank. The EFTSRV can handle up to 4096 POS devices. The EFTSRV with a X.25 can process approximately 300+ transactions per minute to the bank. (Line speed dependant). Cost: Each system will require 1 Wanware X.25 card (approx AUD $4000) There are NO calls costs. Consult your bank regarding the actual cost and the implications that this option has on your bank charges. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 10

Things to organise: Inform the bank that you wish to use an X.25 connection.. The bank will set your merchant records up accordingly. If the bank gives permission for an X.25 connection, they will advise of whom to liaise with at Telstra for the installation of the line. Summary Advantages Disadvantages 1. No connection time 1. High cost 2. Very Reliable 2. Large lead-time in getting line communications installed from Telstra 3. Very fast transactions 3. Relocating requires assistance from Telstra and the bank. 4. Direct connection to the bank. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 11

TCP/IP The TCP/IP protocol is the native protocol used by all ecommerce products. Currently there are NO banks that can accept TCP/IP directly. The TCP/IP solution is currently used by retailers who wish to set their systems up using a Wide Area Network (WAN). The transactions are tunneled through the WAN to an EFTSRV at a headquarter location, and then sent to the bank using one of the more conventional communications options (eg Leased line, X.25 tc) Hardware: TCP/IP requires a PC with a Network interface Card that is capable of TCP/IP. Software: The EFTSRV software can be configured for TCP/IP by following the configuration wizard that is on the installation CD. Use the TCP/IP configuration option for this configuration. Features: There is no connection time per call. The link to the headquarters is maintained permanently. The EFTSRV can handle up to 4096 POS devices. Cost: There are NO calls costs. This option is only valid for a WAN. Costing on a WAN is beyond the scope of this document. Things to organise: Consult with your plans for a wide area network, and we will issue you with an overall implementation strategy for your particular needs. PC-EFTPOS Communications Overview Page 12