Lab 5.1.3 ISDN terms and devices - overview

Estimated time: 45 min.

Objectives:

  • To Review ISDN related acronyms and terminology
  • Relate ISDN terms to specific devices

Background:

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

Web Site Resources:

Notes:

Step 1 - Define the following ISDN terms

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.

ISDN Term Definition and Acronyms Related Terms/ Devices/Examples
2B+D    
BRI    
DCE    
DDR    
DTE    
LAPD    
NT1    
NT2    
PPP    
PRI    
R Reference point    
S Reference point    
T Reference point    
U Reference point    
SPID    
T1    
T3    
TA    
TE1    
TE2