Methods and apparatus for performing primary rate interface (PRI) B-channel direct connectivity in an integrated services digital network (ISDN) communications system

A method for providing connectivity through an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) communications system including a program controlled switch with at least one Primary Rate Interface (PRI), to a specific B-channel on a specific PRI from a location remote from the switch, comprising the steps of:

• (a) defining a signal to indicate that a call to said switch using said signal is for invoking a direct connection via said switch to a specific B-Channel on a PRI from a location external thereto;
• (b) returning a dial tone from said switch to said location external upon receipt of a call to said switch using said signal;
• (c) providing said switch, via data input from said location external following receipt of said dial tone, data including at least a specific B-channel identifier and a specific PRI identifier;
• (d) collecting said specific B-Channel identifier and said specific PRI identifier provided to said switch;
• (e) routing said call via said switch to the PRI identified by said collected PRI identifier;
• and
• (f) setting up the call via said switch to the specific B-Channel identified by said collected B-Channel identifier to thereby provide connectivity to the specified B-channel.

A method for verifying modem functionality using an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) communications system, including a program controlled switch with at least one Primary Rate Interface (PRI), wherein each of a set of modems are connected to said switch via specific B-Channels on said at least one PRI, comprising the steps of:

• (a) associating each of a set of modems in a modem pool with a specific B-Channel on said at least one PRI;
• (b) providing direct connectivity via said switch to a specific B-channel on a specific PRI to thereby enable modem functionality to be verified via the direct connection thereto;
• and
• (c) utilizing line side equipment subtending said switch to input to said switch the identity of the specific PRI and specific B-Channel to be directly connected to.

A method for verifying modem functionality using an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) communications system, including a program controlled switch with at least one Primary Rate Interface (PRI), wherein each of a set of modems are connected to said switch via specific B-Channels on said at least one PRI, comprising the steps of:

• (a) associating each of a set of modems in a modem pool with a specific B-Channel on said at least one PRI;
• (b) providing direct connectivity via said switch to a specific B-channel on a specific PRI to thereby enable modem functionality to be verified via the direct connection thereto;
• and
• (c) utilizing externally located equipment that interfaces with said switch via said switch trunk over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to input to said switch the identity of the specific PRI and specific B-Channel to be directly connected to.

Apparatus for providing connectivity to a specific B-channel on a specific Primary Rate Interface (PRI) in an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) communications system, comprising:

• (a) a program controlled switch with at least one Primary Rate Interface (PRI);
• (b) line side equipment subtending said switch for providing data thereto including a predefined access code for invoking a direct connection to a specific B-Channel on a switch PRI, a specific B-channel identifier and a specific PRI identifier;
• and
• (c) a program module associated with said program controlled switch for translating said predefined access code to invoke said direct connection to the specific B-Channel identified by said B-Channel identifier on the specific PRI identified by said PRI identifier.

Apparatus for providing connectivity to a specific B-channel on a specific Primary Rate Interface (PRI) in an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) communications system, comprising:

• (a) a program controlled switch with at least one Primary Rate Interface (PRI);
• (b) means for signalling said switch from a location external thereto to invoke a direct connection to a specific B-Channel on a switch PRI by calling a predefined switch Directory Number (DN);
• and
• (c) dial tone generation means for returning a dial tone from said switch to said location external whenever said predefined switch DN is called.