What is ISDN/BRI?
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is the name for a digital telephone service that works over existing copper telephone wiring. Just as compact discs have made recorded music digital, ISDN upgrades today’s analog telephone network to a digital system. There are several types of ISDN, but the most appropriate type for individual computer users is Basic Rate Interface (BRI). Basic Rate ISDN divides the telephone line into 3 digital channels: 2 “B” channels and 1 “D” channel, each of which can be used simultaneously. The B channels are used to transmit data, at rates of 64 kbps or 56 kbps. The D channel does the administrative work, such as setting up and tearing down the call and communicating with the telephone network. With 2 B channels, you can make two calls simultaneously.
