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Chapter 14
ISDN and DDR
Many types of WAN technologies can be implemented to solve connectivity issues for
users who need access to geographically distant locations. In this chapter, you learn about
the services, standards, components, operation, and configuration of Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN) communication. ISDN is designed to solve the problems of small
offices or dial-in users who need more bandwidth than traditional telephone dial-in
services can provide. ISDN also provides backup links.
Telephone companies developed ISDN with the intention of creating a totally digital
network. ISDN was developed to use the existing telephone wiring system, and it works
much like a telephone. When you want to make a data call with ISDN, the WAN link is
brought up for the duration of the call, and it is taken down when the call is completed;
it’s similar to how you call a friend on the phone and hang up when you finish talking.
Concept Questions
ISDN components include terminals, terminal adapters (TAs), network termination (NT) devices,
line-termination equipment, and exchange termination equipment.
A standard serial router interface will require a terminal adapter as well as an NT1. Routers that
have a BRI S/T interface will require only an NT1 device. Routers equipped with a BRI U
interface can directly connect to the telco without any additional hardware.
There are two ISDN services: BRI and PRI. The ISDN BRI service offers two 8-bit B channels
and one 2-bit D channel, often referred to as 2B+D. ISDN BRI delivers a total bandwidth of a
144-kbps line into three separate channels (8000 frames per second * (2 * 8-bit channel + 2-bit D
channel) = 8000 * 18 = 144 kbps). BRI B channel service operates at 64 kbps (8000 frames per
second * 8-bit B channel) and is meant to carry user data and voice traffic.
ISDN PRI service offers twenty-three 8-bit channels and one 8-bit D channel, plus one framing bit
in North America and Japan, yielding a total bit rate of 1.544 Mbps (8000 frames per second * (23
* 8-bit B channels + 8-bit D channel + 1 bit framing) = 8000 * 8 * 24.125 = 1.544 Mbps). (The
PRI D channel runs at 64 kbps.) ISDN PRI in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world
provides thirty 8-bit B channels plus one 8-bit framing channel, for a total interface rate of 2.048
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Mbps (8000 frames per second * (30 * 8-bit B channels + 8-bit D channel + 8-bit framing channel
= 8000 * 8 * 32 = 2.048 Mbps).
4. What configuration process is needed to implement an ISDN
connection?
You must specify global and interface parameters to prepare the router for operation in an ISDN
environment. Define the ISDN switch type. Configure SPID numbers with LDNs. Configure all
usernames and passwords that will be used during the PPP authentication process. Dialer maps or
dialer profiles should also be identified.
5. What are the major advantages of an ISDN connection?
ISDN can carry a variety of user traffic signals. ISDN provides access to digital video, packet-
switched data, and telephone network services. ISDN offers much faster call setup, using out-of-
band (D, or delta, channel) signaling, than modem connections. ISDN provides a faster data
transfer rate than modems by using the bearer channel (B channel). With multiple B channels,
ISDN offers users more bandwidth on WANs than some leased lines.
When building networking applications, you must determine how ISDN connections will
be initiated, established, and maintained. DDR creates connectivity between ISDN sites by
establishing and releasing circuit-switched connections as needed by networking traffic.
DDR can provide network routing and directory services in numerous ways to provide the
illusion of full-time connectivity over circuit-switched connections.
Vocabulary Exercise
Define the following terms as completely as you can. Use the online curriculum or Chapter
14 of the Cisco Networking Academy Program CCNA 3 and 4 Companion Guide for help.
2B+D In reference to the ISDN BRI service, two B channels and one D channel.
B channel (bearer channel) In ISDN, a full-duplex, 64-kbps channel used to send user
data.
BRI ( Basic Rate Interface) An ISDN interface composed of two B channels and one
D channel for circuit-switched communication of voice, video, and data. Compare with
PRI.
CO (central office) The local telephone company office to which all local loops in a
given area connect and in which circuit switching of subscriber lines occurs.
CPE (customer premises equipment) Terminating equipment, such as terminals, and
modems, supplied by the telephone company, installed at customer sites, and connected to
the telephone company network.
D channel (delta channel) A full-duplex, 16-kbps (BRI) or 64-kbps (PRI) ISDN
channel.
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Focus Questions
A number that some service providers use to define the services to which an ISDN device
subscribes. The ISDN device uses the SPID when accessing the switch that initializes the
connection to a service provider.
2. What is a TA (terminal adapter)?
A device used to connect ISDN BRI connections to existing interfaces, such as EIA/TIA-
232. Essentially, an ISDN modem.
3. What is TE1 (terminal equipment type 1)?
A device that is compatible with the ISDN network. A TE1 connects to a network
termination of either type 1 or type 2.
4. What is TE2 (terminal equipment type 2)?
A device that is not compatible with ISDN and requires a terminal adapter.
5. What is UNI (user-network interface)?
A specification that defines an interoperability standard for the interface between products
(a router or a switch) located in a private network and the switches located within the
public carrier networks. Also used to describe similar connections in Frame Relay
networks.
6. What is the top speed at which ISDN operates?
Both BRI and PRI use one D channel. 16 kbps for BRI and 64 kbps for PRI circuits.
9. The ISDN service provider must provide the phone number and what
type of identification number?
The D channel.
11. The school superintendent asks you to explain what ISDN is. She is
not an experienced networker, but she is a competent manager. Develop an
outline for explaining ISDN to her. Include your opening and closing
paragraphs.
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Varies by student.
12. What are some considerations in order to provide total control over initial DDR
connections?
• How are directory services and routing tables supported across an idle
connection?
• What applications need to be supported over DDR connections? For how many
users do they need to be supported?
• What unexpected protocols might cause DDR connections? Can they be filtered?
The following questions help you review for the CCNA exam. The answers appear in
Appendix A, “Answers to CCNA Exam Review Questions.”
1. At the central site, what device can provide the connection for dialup access?
A. Switch
B. Router
C. Bridge
D. Hub
2. For which of the following locations would ISDN service be inadequate?
A. HDLC
B. SLIP
C. PPP
D. PAP
5. On a router, which of the following commands do you use to set the
ISDN switch type?
A. Router> isdn switch-type
B. Router# isdn switch-type
C. Router(config-if)# isdn switch-type
D. Router(config)# isdn switch-type
6. Which of the following commands can be used to verify DDR
operation? (Choose all that apply.)
A. show dialer
B. show isdn active
C. show isdn status
D. All of the above