Introduction to ISDN

The Cantata Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) product provides multiple communications tasking (voice, data, compressed),128 Kbps high-speed and high-bandwidth service. ISDN, non-compressed (512 KBps compressed) also provides on-demand service, connects up to eight devices simultaneously, and can be call-managed. The basic configuration is 23+D (Primary Rate Interface) and 30B+D outside of North America.

The ISDN card, in conjunction with the T1 and E1 network interface cards, interfaces to various equipment types supporting the ISDN PRI protocol. These include tandem (Class 4) switches, end office (Class 5) switches, PBXs, and proprietary implementations, not only in North America but throughout the world.

The Cantata ISDN PRI implementation is based on ITU-T Q.921 and Q.931 specifications. Each implemented variant references the appropriate interface document supplied by the equipment manufacturer. The interface document is usually a variant of the ITU-T recommendations.

Since each manufacturer supports different services, the host manages the information to send and receive in specific messages. This lets you access many features and services at the host layer and carry them out using PPL-controlled call control logic.

Each ISDN card supports 32 D channels. Each D channel provides the High Data Link Control (HDLC) communications over T1 or E1 on one timeslot on the span. Each D channel can control up to 19 other spans in addition to the span on which it is located.

The CSP system software ISDN stack supports National ISDN PRI NI 2. National ISDN PRI supports Non-Facility Associated Signaling (NFAS), allowing up to 30 DS1 interfaces and the D channel backup procedure, as well as B channel availability and provisioning. Connection endpoint variants are defined for National ISDN User side and Network side.

The figure below shows an ISDN Point-to-Point Connection with an CSP connected to a central office switch.

Depending upon the provisioning requirements, you can have one D channel per span [Facility Associated Signaling (FAS)], or one D channel managing up to 20 spans [Non-Facility Associated Signaling (NFAS)]. You can control a total of 32 spans using all FAS D channels, or up to 20 spans per NFAS D channel (to a maximum of 64 spans per system). You can intermix both FAS and NFAS D channels on a card with each supporting a different variant. NFAS spans can be configured dynamically during call processing.

You can insert multiple ISDN cards in any line card slot in the CSP. Each has unrestricted access to all timeslots, so you can configure any timeslot in the system as a D channel.

When using NFAS, the D channel on one span controls the B channels on other spans. However, with NFAS a backup D channel is assigned for redundancy on a separate span.

The figure below shows an example of NFAS Controlling three Primary Rate Interfaces (PRI).

The figure below shows an example of NFAS with Backup D Channel Controlling three PRIs.

When using FAS there is a D channel on the same span as a B channel that is controlled by the D channel. The figure below shows an example of FAS on each of three PRIs:

• Euro-ISDN (Includes French and German Delta), JATE (INS 1500), Lucent 4ESS Q.931 PRI, Lucent 5ESS Q.931 PRI (Custom), Northern Telecom DMS-100 Q.931 PRI (Custom), Northern Telecom DMS-250 Q.931 PRI (Custom), and AUSTEL.

After Installing two ISDN cards with their appropriate I/O cards redundancy is provided for all 32 D channels. If the active card fails, or if you remove the card, the standby card takes over the call processing operations. All calls in a connected state are retained while others are purged.

ISDN. Network architecture based on digital transmission, switching, and common channel signaling. Basic configurations include 2B+D called a Basic Rate Interface, and 23+D called a Primary Rate Interface. Outside North America, PRI is 30B+D.

See Integrated Services Digital Network.

PRI. One of two basic ISDN interface configurations providing 23 (30 outside of North America) Bearer channels (64 Kbps data) and 1 Data signaling channel (16 Kbps control and signaling data). Commonly refered to as ISDN PRI or 23B+D interface (30B+D outside of North America).

Digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 1.544 Mbps rate (24 64 Kbps channels)

A digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 2.048 Mbps rate; 30B/2D or 31B/1D (ISDN); non-North American version of T1.

International Telecommunications Union (UN)

Call signaling protocol for setup and termination of calls.

International Telephone Union – Telecommunications sector (UN)

See Programmable Protocol Language.

See Non Facility Associated Signaling.

Data channel. One of two fundamental components of an ISDN interface, it provides a path (16Kbps for BRI, 64Kbps for PRI) for carrying control signals and call data in a packet-switched mode.

Japan Approvals Institute for Telecommunications Equipment