The Integrated Services Digital
Network or ISDN was developed to provide digital services
over existing telephone wiring. These services can include voice,
data and video. ISDN was intended to be the replacement for the
standard analog phone system of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone
Network). ISDN standards define the hardware and call setup schemes
for end-to-end digital connectivity. It is a dial-up service that is
widely used not only in the US but internationally. There are two
basic type of ISDN; Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate
Interface (PRI). BRI is the slower of the two and is an alternative
to dial-up modems. BRI provide 2 x 64Kbps Bearer (B) channels for
voice and data and a 16Kbps Delta (D) channel for control and
signaling information. This gives a total of 144Kbps for BRI ISDN.
PRI typically runs over a T1 physical carrier and provides 23 x
64Kbps B channels and 1 x 64Kbps D channel (for a total of
1.544Mbps). PRI is considered an alternative to dedicated standard
leased lines. This exercise will serve as a study guide to help
reinforce your understanding of basic ISDN terms and devices to
which they relate.
Tools /
Preparation:
Before beginning this lab you should
read the Networking Academy Second Year Companion Guide, Chapter 11.
You should also review the Semester 4 On-line chapters on ISDN.
Compete in teams or work alone. The following is a list of
resources:
Semester 4 Online ISDN chapter and
glossary
Second Year Companion Guide,
Chapter 11 and glossary
The following terms are related to
ISDN technology. Define these terms, acronyms and abbreviations
using your existing knowledge, the 2nd year companion guide, the
online curriculum and the ISDN web site listed. Use the diagram on
the first page to relate these terms to devices and connections in
the ISDN network.