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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

Demonstrate your knowledge of these concepts by answering the following questions in

the space provided.
1. What additional equipment do you need to establish an ISDN link for
the WAN?

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.

2. What are the most common uses for ISDN?

Remote access, remote nodes, and small office/home office.

3. Which type of ISDN service will you use for your project, BRI or PRI?
What are the differences between the two?

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.

6. Briefly describe DDR.

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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DDR (dial-on-demand routing) Establishes and releases circuit switched connections

as needed.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) A communication protocol offered by
telephone companies that permits telephone networks to carry data, voice, and other
source traffic.
LAPB (Link Access Procedure, Balanced) A data link layer protocol in the X.25
protocol stack. LAPB is a bit-oriented protocol derived from HDLC.
LAPD (Link Access Procedure on the D channel) An ISDN data link layer protocol
for the D channel. LAPD was derived from LAPB and is designed primarily to satisfy the
signaling requirements of ISDN basic access. Defined by ITU-T Recommendations Q.920
and Q.921.
NT1 (network termination type 1) A device that connects four-wire ISDN subscriber
wiring to the conventional two-wire local loop facility.
NT2 (network termination type 2) A device that directs traffic to and from different
subscriber devices and the NT1. The NT2 is an intelligent device that performs switching
and concentrating.
PBX (private branch exchange) A digital or analog telephone switchboard located on
the subscriber premises and used to connect private and public telephone networks.
PRI (Primary Rate Interface) An ISDN interface to primary rate access. Primary rate
access consists of a single 64-kbps D channel plus 23 (T1) or 30 (E1) B channels for voice
or data.
Q.931 A protocol that recommends a network layer between the terminal endpoint and
the local ISDN switch. Q.931 does not impose an end-to-end recommendation. The
various ISDN providers and switch types can and do use various implementations of
Q.931
Reference point A specification that defines the connection between specific devices,
depending on their function in the end-to-end connection.
Signaling In the ISDN context, the process of call setup used, such as call
establishment, call termination, information, and miscellaneous messages, including setup,
connect, release, user information, cancel, status, and disconnect.
SOHO (small office/home office) A small office or home office consisting of a few
users requiring a connection that provides faster, more reliable connectivity than an analog
dialup connection.
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Focus Questions

1. What is a SPID (service profile identifier)?

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?

128 kbps for BRI interface, T1 speed for PRI interface.

7. How many B channels does ISDN use?

For BRI interfaces, 2 B channels; 23 B channels for PRI interfaces.

8. How many D channels does ISDN use?

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 provider must provide SPIDs and an optional LDN.

10. Which channel does ISDN use for call setup?

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?

• Which sites can initiate connections based on traffic?

• Is dial-out required to SOHO sites? Is dial-out required for network or

workstation management? Which sites can terminate connections based on idle
links?

• 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?

CCNA Exam Review Questions

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. A large concentration of users at a site

B. A small office
C. A single-user site
D. None of the above
3. Protocols that begin with E specify what?

A. Telephone network standards

B. Switching and signaling
C. ISDN concepts
D. This is not used with ISDN.
4. If you want to use CHAP for authentication when using ISDN, what
protocol should you select?
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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