Nortel BCM 3.7, Manual

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Programming Operations Guide
Appendix C
ISDN overview
This section provides some general information about using ISDN lines on your Business
Communications Manager system. Detailed information about ISDN is widely available through
the internet. Your service provider can also provide you with specific information to help you
understand what suits your requirements.
Information in this section includes:
• “Welcome to ISDN” on page 857
• “Services and features for ISDN BRI and PRI” on page 860
• “ISDN hardware” on page 864
• “ISDN standards compatibility” on page 867
• “Planning your ISDN network” on page 867
• “Supported ISDN Protocols” on page 869
• “ISDN Programming” on page 870
Welcome to ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) technology provides a fast, accurate and reliable
means of sending and receiving voice, data, images, text, and other information through the
telecom network.
ISDN uses existing analog telephone wires and divides it into separate digital channels which
increases bandwidth.
ISDN uses a single transport to carry multiple information types. What once required separate
networks for voice, data, images, or video conferencing is now combined onto one common
high-speed transport.
Nortel Networks endeavours to test all variations of ISDN PRI on Business Communications
Manager; however, due to the number of variations, this is not always possible.
This section includes information about:
• “Types of ISDN service” on page 858
• “ISDN Layers” on page 859
• “ISDN bearer capability” on page 859