Since the Internet has become popular and Internet service providers are sprouting like mushrooms, the average person needs to know about the intricacies of digital communications. This book explains ISDN technology and discusses methods of installing ISDN.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 gives a technical overview of ISDN. It consists of four chapters that introduce the concepts that constitute ISDN, explain information flow in ISDN, discuss its relationships with pre-ISDN communications devices, and present the architecture of ISDN.

In six chapters, Part 2 walks readers through the determination of their ISDN hardware and software needs. The first chapter details the materials needed to connect to the Internet. The next chapter explains the functions and operations of adapter cards. Chapters explaining ISDN modems and Ethernet ISDN bridges and routers follow. These chapters present a variety of different manufacturers’ devices and explain tests that have been done on them and how they fared. The last chapter in this part explains the additional programs needed to get the ISDN device to work with the computer system, to make ISDN voice phone calls, and to connect to an Internet service provider. Again the available programs are compared and contrasted.

Part 3 presents a detailed procedure for installing ISDN on the user’s computer or network.

The authors have taken special care to make the book as nontechnical as possible. In some places, they have even attempted some humor to keep readers interested. They present several case studies to illustrate ISDN networking concepts, and many caveats to help readers avoid common pitfalls. Comparisons are carefully explained. Readers are shown, for instance, why some items cost less than others. The book’s examples, figures, illustrations, index, and references are all appropriate.