Telos ZephyrExpress - Manual (Page 179)

11-12 APPENDIX
Pacific Bell 800-4PB-ISDN (800-472-4736) http://www.pacbell.com
For questions or assistance 403-944-8130
SNET 800-420-4736 http://www.ntplx.net
Stentor (Canada) Fax server 800-578-4736, document #200 has list of local ordering numbers.
403-944-8130 (questions/assistance).
Southwestern Bell 800SWB-ISDN (800-792-4736) http://www.sbc.com
US West Fax server 800-728-4949 http://www.uswest.com
Small business 800-246-5226
For questions or assistance 206-447-4029
*You may need to call this number more than once to find someone who can arrange for
fast installation for remotes. Be sure to explain that you are a broadcaster.
Details, Details
In order to communicate accurately what it is you need, we think you should be familiar
with the vocabulary used to describe ISDN. As with anything, for best results, it helps to
know what you are talking about. For an in-depth glossary of terminology see manual
appendix or visit Telos System’s web site at http://www.zephyr.com
IOC Capability Packages
More and more telcos are using ISDNOrdering Code (IOC) capability packages for ISDN
ordering. If your telephone company uses these you need only tell them you need IOC
package “S”.
Protocols
In a perfect world, all ISDN terminal equipment would work with all ISDN
lines, without regard for such arcana as 5ESS, DMS100, CSV/CSD, SPIDs, etc. Unfortu-
nately, the ISDN “standard” has been evolving for the past years and has only recently
begun to settle down.
At their central offices, the telephone companies use either AT&T 5ESS, Northern Tele-
com DMS100, or Siemens EWSD switching equipment. While each will work with
ZephyrExpress, there are some differences which need to be taken into account when
lines are ordered and used. Each has a “protocol” – the language the user equipment and
the telephone network use to converse (on the D channel) for setting up calls and the
like.
There is a standard protocol which all switches may provide, called National ISDN 1
(NI-1). This protocol was standardized and specified by Bellcore, the technical lab jointly
owned by the phone companies. However, both AT&T and Northern Telecom had
“custom” versions of ISDN which predated the NI-1 standard and some switches have
not been upgraded to the new format.
There is also a newer NI-2 and NI-97 standards, but they are designed to be compatible
with NI-1 for all of the basic functions.