Product Reviews

Originally, ISDN (Integrated Digital Services Network) was perceived as a cost-effective means of connecting remote offices to a LAN. The exponential growth of the Internet has cast it in a new role as the ideal medium for accessing the huge amounts of data available. Unfortunately, setting up ISDN equipment and connections is a more complex process than setting up modems, and this is where ISDN - How to Get a High-Speed Connection to the Internet comes in. This book aims to give the business and home user all the information they need to set up ISDN connections, couched in easy-to-understand, non-technical language.

The authors start off with a brief overview of ISDN and a comparison with current analog technology to show the benefits that can be gained. The next section is divided into four chapters, starting with a deeper insight into ISDN, followed by a closer look at the types of services available, and the hardware, such as terminal adaptors, you'll need. The presentation style is difficult to follow, as the authors flit around the subject, only occasionally giving you information that's relevant and interesting.

The final chapter struggles to

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bring it all together with a step-by-step guide for the perfect ISDN installation. Perfect, that is, if you happen to live in the US, as it quickly becomes clear that this book is aimed specifically at that market.

There are many technologies that are identical on both sides of the pond. Unfortunately, ISDN isn't one of them. Europe has always had a commanding lead in developing ISDN, and for once the US has had to dance to our tune.

Occasional references to a 56Kb standard will have most readers scratching their heads. This was the original US ISDN standard and is currently being phased out.

The Basic Rate Interface (BRI) is the same in all countries, but businesses looking at having a Primary Rate Interface (PRI) installed will be misled by the statement that this contains 24 digital channels - outside North America, PRI can have up to 30 channels. Furthermore, the SPIDs (Service Profile IDentifiers) referred to in the installation instructions are only used for US ISDN variants.

Home users will find nothing whatsoever of value in this book. There's no help here when it comes to ordering an ISDN installation, as only RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies) are listed - trusty old BT doesn't get a look in. This is particularly relevant because US ISDN costs are considerably less than the exalted prices charged in the UK. BT has restructured its charges into a three-tier system and has significantly reduced the initial installation fee, but a closer look reveals that what it gives with one hand it largely snatches back with the other.

The 20-page appendix of Internet service providers is also a waste of paper as, yet again, they are all US-based. Overall, pretty much a waste of time for a UK audience.