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Completing ISDN Calls 7-5

Introducing ISDN
ISDN defines a digital architecture that provides integrated voice and data capability using the
public switched network. This topic describes the basic capabilities that ISDN offers.
ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. It refers to a collection of standards that
define a digital architecture that provides integrated voice/data capability, utilizing the public
switched network. The ISDN standards define the interface specifications. Prior to ISDN, many
telephone companies used digital networks within their clouds, but used analog lines for the
local access loop between the cloud and the actual customer site. Bringing digital connectivity
via ISDN to the local loop has many advantages, including the following:
The ability to carry a variety of user-traffic feeds. ISDN provides access to all-digital
facilities for video, telex, packet-switched data, and enriched telephone network services.
Much faster call setup than modem connections by using out-of-band (D, or delta, channel)
signaling. For example, ISDN calls can often be set up and completed in less than a second.
Much faster data transfer rate using bearer (B)- channel services at 64 kbps per channel as
opposed to common modem rates up to 56 kbps. With multiple B channels, ISDN offers
users more bandwidth on WANs (for example, the two B channels of a basic rate interface
equal 128 kbps) than they receive with a leased line at 56 kbps in North America or
64 kbps in much of the rest of the world.
In general, ISDN has become the transport of choice in many parts of the world for applications
using remote connectivity and access to the Internet. Even with the challenges of digital
subscriber lines (DSL) and cable modems, ISDN continues to grow, outpacing these newer and
faster technologies with the number of channels installed. Market analysts predict this will be
the case at least until 2004.
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What Is ISDN?
Voice, data, video, and special services
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ISDN Standards and Access Methods
ISDN specifies two standard access methods, Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate
Interface (PRI). This topic describes the ISDN standards and the two access methods.
Work on standards for ISDN began in the late 1960s. A comprehensive set of ISDN
recommendations was published in 1984 and is continuously updated by the International
Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), which groups
and organizes the ISDN protocols according to the following general topic areas:
Protocols that begin with E recommend telephone network standards for ISDN. For
example, the E.164 protocol describes international addressing for ISDN.
Protocols that begin with I deal with concepts, terminology, and general methods. The
I.100 series includes general ISDN concepts and the structure of other I-series
recommendations; I.200 deals with service aspects of ISDN; I.300 describes network
aspects; I.400 describes how the User-Network Interface (UNI) is provided.
Protocols that begin with Q cover how switching and signaling should operate. The term
signaling in this context means the process of the call set used. Q.921 describes the ISDN
data-link processes of the Link Access Procedure on the D channel (LAPD), which
functions like Layer 2 processes in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference
model. Q.931 specifies OSI reference model Layer 3 functions.
Q.931 recommends a network layer between the terminal endpoint and the local ISDN switch.
This protocol does not impose an end-to-end recommendation. The various ISDN providers and
switch types can and do use various implementations of Q.931. Other switches were developed
before the standards groups finalized this standard.
Because switch types are not standard, when configuring the router, you will need to specify
the ISDN switch to which you are connecting. In addition, Cisco Systems routers have debug
commands to monitor Q.931 and Q.921 processes when an ISDN call is initiated or terminated.
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Standards from the ITU-T
ISDN Standards
Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. Completing ISDN Calls 7-7
ISDN specifies two standard access methods, as follows:
BRI: Two 64-kbps B channels plus one 16-kbps D-channel service. BRI operates with
many Cisco routers.
BRI is sometimes written as 2B+D. This interface provides two B channels at 64 kbps and
an additional 16-kbps D-signaling channel.
The B channels can be used for digitized speech transmission or for relatively high-speed
data transport. Narrowband ISDN is circuit-switching oriented. The B channel is the
elemental circuit-switching unit.
The D channel carries signaling information (call setup) to control calls on B channels.
Traffic over the D channel employs the LAPD data-link protocol level. LAPD is based on
High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC).
PRI: In North America and Japan, PRI offers 23 64-kbps B channels and 1 64-kbps D
channel (a T1/DS1 facility).
In Europe and much of the rest of the world, PRI offers 30 B channels and a D channel (an
E1 facility). PRI uses a data service unit (DSU) and/or channel service unit (CSU) for
T1/E1 connection.
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BRI and PRI are used globally for ISDN.
ISDN Access Options
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Establishing an ISDN BRI or PRI Call
To establish an ISDN call, the D channel is used between the router and the ISDN switch, and
Signaling System 7 (SS7) signaling is used between the switches. This topic describes the
process of establishing an ISDN call.
The figure shows the sequence of events that occur during the establishment of a BRI or PRI
call, as follows:
1. The D channel between the router and the ISDN switch is always up. When the call is
initiated, the called number is sent to the local ISDN switch. The D channel is used for call
setup, signaling, and termination; that is, the call control functions.
2. The local switch uses the SS7 signaling protocols to set up a path and pass the called
number to the terminating ISDN switch.
3. The far-end ISDN switch signals the destination over the D channel.
4. One B channel is then connected end to end. The other B channel is available to a new
conversation or data. Both B channels can be used simultaneously.
Note ISDN is the protocol that is used between the endpoints and the local service provider ISDN
switch. Within the service provider network, the ISDN call is treated as just a 56- or 64-kbps
stream of data and is handled the same as any other stream of data or voice.
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BRI and PRI Call Processing
Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. Completing ISDN Calls 7-9
ISDN Functions and Reference Points
ISDN functions are implemented as hardware devices while reference points are interfaces
between devices. This topic describes the ISDN functions and reference points.
To access the ISDN network, you must use customer premises equipment (CPE) that performs
specific functions to connect properly to the ISDN switch. Vendors can create hardware that
supports one or more functions because the ISDN standards may be defined in two ways: as a
device or as hardware functions. These hardware functions represent a transition point between
the reference point interfaces. To select the correct CPE, you must be aware of what functions
are available and how the functions relate to each other. The table defines the customer
premises ISDN device types and their functions.
Acronym Device Type Device Function
TE1 Terminal endpoint 1 Designates a router or ISDN telephone as a device having a
native ISDN interface.
NT-2 Network termination 2 The point at which all ISDN lines at a customer site are
aggregated and switched using a customer switching device.
(Seen with an ISDN PBX.)
NT-1 Network termination 1 Converts the four-wire BRI signals from an S/T interface into
two-wire signals of a U interface used by the ISDN digital line.
TE2 Terminal endpoint 2 Designates a device such as a PC or router requiring a TA to
adapt communication for BRI signals.
TA Terminal adapter Converts EIA/TIA-232, V.35, and other signals into BRI signals.
In Europe, the NT-1 is CPE equipment that is owned by the Post, Telephone, and Telegraph
(PTT).
To connect devices that perform specific functions, the devices need to support specific
interfaces. Because CPEs can include one or more functions, the interfaces they use to connect
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ISDN Functions and Reference Points
Functions are devices or
hardware.
Reference points are
demarcations or interfaces.
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to other devices that support other functions can vary. As a result, the standards do not define
interfaces in terms of hardware, but refer to them as reference points. A reference point defines
a connection type between two functions. In other words, reference points are a series of
specifications that define the connection between specific devices, depending on their function
in the end-to-end connection. It is important to understand these interface types because a CPE
device such as a router can support different reference types, which could result in the need for
additional equipment.
The reference points that affect the customer side of the ISDN connection are as follows:
R: References the point (connection) that is between a non-ISDN compatible device and a
terminal adapter.
S: References the points that connect into the NT-2, or customer switching device. It is the
interface that enables calls between the various types of CPE.
T: Electrically identical to the S interface, it references the outbound connection from the
NT-2 to the ISDN network.
Note The electrical similarities between the S and T references why some interfaces are labeled
S/T interfaces, because although they perform totally different functions, the port is
electrically the same and can be used for either function.
U: References the connection between the NT-1 and the ISDN network owned by the
telephone company.
Note In the United States, the end user is required to provide the NT-1. In Europe and other
countries, the telephone company provides the NT-1 function and presents an S/T interface
to the customer. In these configurations, the customer is not required to supply a separate
NT-1 device or integrated NT-1 function in the terminal device. Be sure to order your
equipment such as router ISDN modules and interfaces accordingly.
Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. Completing ISDN Calls 7-11
Determining the Router ISDN Interface
You can physically configure Cisco routers with different ISDN options, which dictate what
additional external equipment, if any, is needed to run ISDN. This topic describes the different
ISDN interfaces.
Not all Cisco routers include a native ISDN terminal, nor do all of them include interfaces for
the same reference point; therefore, you must evaluate each router carefully. To select a Cisco
router with the appropriate ISDN interface, complete the following:
1. Determine whether the router supports ISDN BRI. Look on the back of your router for one
of the following:
If you see a connector labeled BRI, you already have an ISDN BRI. With a native
ISDN interface already built in, your router is a TE1. If your router has a U interface, it
also has a built-in NT-1.
If you do not see a connector labeled BRI, and you have a nonmodular router (a
fixed-configuration router that does not permit the replacement or addition of
interfaces), then you need to use an existing serial interface. With non-native ISDN
interfaces such as serial interfaces, you need to obtain an external terminal adapter
(TA) device and attach it to the serial interface to provide BRI connectivity. If you
have a modular router it may be possible to upgrade to a native ISDN interface
providing you have an available slot.
2. Determine whether you or the service provider supplies NT-1. An NT-1 terminates the
local loop to the central office (CO) of your ISDN service provider. In the United States,
for example, the NT-1 is the responsibility of the customer. In Europe, the service provider
typically supplies the NT-1.
3. If you must supply the NT-1, make sure your router has a U interface; if not, you must
purchase an external NT-1.
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Cisco ISDN BRI Interfaces
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Caution Never connect a router with a U interface into an NT-1. It will most likely damage the
interface.

Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. Completing ISDN Calls 7-13
PRI technology is somewhat simpler than BRI. The wiring is not multipoint; there is only a
straight connection between the CSU/DSU and the PRI interface.
Multipoint refers to the ability to have multiple ISDN devices connected to the network, all of
which have access to the ISDN network. As a result, there is arbitration at Layer 1 and Layer 2,
allowing multiple devices to access the network without collisions or interruptions between
devices that need to share the ISDN network. PRI does not require this arbitration.
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Cisco ISDN PRI Interfaces
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ISDN Switch Types
You must configure your router to identify the type of switch it will be communicating with,
which depends in part on the country the switch is in. This topic describes the different types of
ISDN switches.
ISDN service providers use a variety of different switch types for their ISDN services. Services
offered by the national PTT or other carriers vary considerably from country to country or
region to region. Just like modems, each switch type operates slightly differently, and has a
specific set of call setup requirements. As a result, before you can connect your router to an
ISDN service, you must be aware of the switch types that are used at the CO. You must specify
this information during router configuration so the router can place ISDN network-level calls
and send data. Following is a sample of countries and the ISDN switch types that you are likely
to encounter in your provider ISDN cloud.
Country Switch Type
United States and Canada AT&T 5ESS and 4ESS; Northern Telecom DMS-100
France VN2, VN3
Japan NTT
United Kingdom Net3 and Net5
Europe Net3
Some service providers program their switches to emulate another switch type. Therefore, it
might be necessary to configure a router to match the emulated switch type for proper
operation.
In addition to learning about the switch type that your service provider is using, you may also
need to know what service profile identifiers (SPIDs) are assigned to your connection. In many
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ISDN Switch Types
Many providers use many different switch types.
Services vary by region and country.
Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. Completing ISDN Calls 7-15
cases, such as when configuring the router to connect to a DMS-100, you will need to input the
SPIDs.
SPIDs are a series of characters, which can look like telephone numbers, that identify you to
the switch at the CO. After it is identified, the switch links the services you ordered to the
connection. Remember, ISDN is typically used for dialup connectivity. The SPIDs are
processed during each call-setup operation.