A+: ISDN, Hardware & Connections
The telephone network was originally designed to support analog signaling only, which is why an analog (dial-up) modem that sends data to other computers converts digital signals to analog for transmission through the telephone network. The receiving analog modem converts analog data back to digital data.
To make an ISDN connection, your PC (and any other devices that share the ISDN connection) needs a device called an ISDN terminal adapter (TA). A TA resembles a conventional analog modem. Internal models plug into the same PCI, ISA, and PC Card slots used by analog modems, and external models use USB or serial ports. External TAs often have two or more RJ-11 ports for telephony devices, an RJ-45 port for the connection to the ISDN line, and a serial or USB port for connection to the computer.
Setting Up an ISDN Connection
ISDN connections (where available) are provided through the local telephone company. There are two types of ISDN connections, the Primary Rate Interface (PRI) and the lesser Basic Rate Interface (BRI).
A PRI connection provides 1.536Mbps of bandwidth,
whereas a BRI interface provides 64Kbps (single-channel) or 128Kbps
(dual-channel) of bandwidth. BRI is sold to small businesses and home
offices; PRI is sold to large organizations. Both types of connections
enable you to use the Internet and talk or fax data through the phone
line at the same time.
A direct individual ISDN connection is configured
through the network features of Windows with the same types of settings
used for an analog modem connection. Configuring a network-based ISDN
connection is done through the network adapter’s TCP/IP properties
window.
Most telephone companies have largely phased out ISDN in favor of DSL, which is much faster and less expensive.
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