In this 'Spotlight' we feature our range of ISDN products featuring ISDN over Fibre, BRI, Brent, Inverse Muxes and the leading-edge Liberator and Packetband-ISDN products from Transition Networks.
Introduction
There are currently over 20 million ISDN Basic Rate lines and 2 million Primary Rate circuits in use in the world. There are also 56 million narrowband leased lines. And they won't be going away any time soon. Tried and trusted secure applications and terminals which encrypt services such as voice, fax and video nearly always expect to be presented with synchronous, switched connection-oriented communications services.
ISDN is a circuit-switched telephone network system, which also provides access to packet switched networks, designed to allow digital transmission of voice and data over ordinary telephone copper wires, resulting in potentially better voice quality than an analog phone can provide. It offers circuit-switched connections (for either voice or data), and packet-switched connections for data, in increments of 64 kilobit/s. A major market application for ISDN in some countries is Internet access, where ISDN typically provides a maximum of 128 kbit/s in both upstream and downstream directions.
We are proud to offer a range of ISDN products, many from our partner, Transition Networks. The range includes the following:
PacketBand ISDN over IP - The PacketBand-ISDN range offers users the ability to turn an IP or Ethernet network into a virtual ISDN network, placing and clearing calls dynamically across the IP network or “breaking-out” into a real ISDN carrier service. PacketBand uses IP/MPLS networks to deliver “Pseudo-Wires” of clear switched ISDN 64kbps “B” channels. Ideal for applications needing non-compressible data, enabling them to benefit from the commercial advantages of IP networks. Where quality is of concern, PacketBand is also perfect for non-compressed voice, enabling a smooth migration to VoIP technologies for both voice and data. All products within the PacketBand range interface to Ethernet and IP/MPLS networks with support, subject to the usual constraints, for the Public Internet. All have local Ethernet ports with rate limiting and control mechanisms. All support various protocols with timing, jitter and clocking options. The PacketBand-ISDN range is unique. It delivers clear/transparent switched ISDN “B” channels across packet networks so any type of traffic can be transported, including video-conferencing, encryptors, codecs, faxes, modems and of course voice. The range includes:
The PacketBand-ISDN-1B which delivers switched, transparent, synchronous, ISDN data services across asynchronous packet networks.
The PacketBand-ISDN-P which delivers transparent switched PRI ISDN synchronous data services across asynchronous packet networks for PRI interfaces, and finally...
The PacketBand-ISDN-B-4/8 which delivers transparent switched ISDN data services across packet networks. All ports are locked with central, or network clocks, providing a fully synchronous environment across asynchronous networks.
Liberator – is a very flexible product, not easily “pigeon-holed” to an application or specific market. Designed as a flexible ISDN cross-connect mux, conversion, simulation and routing unit. Liberator has been deployed into many different applications and countries. If you need to switch or convert between BRI, PRI, E1 or T1, have a number conversion or translation requirement, need to route to different ports on any number of criteria then Liberator will most probably be able to help.
Brent Converter - Designed specifically for the Brent encryptor, the Converter performs many roles such as converting between ANSI and ETSI BRIs; converting PRIs (perhaps from video MCUs etc) into BRIs for Brents and ensuring the second and same dialled DDI number on the PRI is routed to the same Brent.
Databand Inverse Multiplexers – are based on a core aggregation or bonding technology, dialling and establishing multiple ISDN “B” channels into a single cohesive N*64kbps virtual leased line. The leased line backup products monitor different types of circuits and establish a backup path using multiple ISDN channels. This normally happens so quickly and reliably that end-users are unaware there has been any break in service or network problem. Ideal for critical applications and for carriers needing to provide Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
The DataBand CSI and ISU range connect high speed serial data devices together using multiple ISDN calls, in effect dialling a high-speed “leased line” between non-ISDN devices. It is ideal for use with video-conference units, MCUs, encryptors (such as KIVs) or any high-speed serial device that needs bandwidth on demand. It aggregates or inverse multiplexes multiple ISDN channels from multiple ISDN PRI interfaces into N*64kbps V.35, RS530, X.21/V.11 and E1 ports.
To complete the family we've also developed the ISDN BRI Fibre Optic Modem which is an ISDN over fibre modem that enables basic rate ISDN interfaces to be extended over multi-mode fibre optic cabling. The units are ideal for sensitive data applications that require the use of fibre and have been designed to transport a single ISDN Bri interface over multi-mode fibre optic cabling.
