Operation Manual

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4 The Application Programming Interface COMMON ISDN API 2.0
4 The Application Programming Interface COMMON ISDN
API 2.0
4.1 General Information
What is CAPI?
Common ISDN API (CAPI) is a standardized software
interface that allows ISDN applications to operate ISDN
adapters connected to BRIs and PRIs. Applications that
build on this interface use uniform methods and do not
have to be adapted to the particular characteristics of
various manufacturers’ hardware. Thus such applications
are independent of future extensions or modifications in
the hardware. CAPI makes such changes transparent to
the application. ISDN hardware manufacturers also benefit
from this standard, since it makes all kinds of applications
compatible with their products.
Common ISDN API contains an abstract definition of the
ISDN services which is independent of any given ISDN
provider’s network or any given manufacturer’s ISDN
adapter. It provides an interface that is easy for
applications to use, and unified access to the various
communications services in ISDN, such as data and fax
transmission, telephony or video conferencing.
Advantages of CAPI
Common ISDN API has come to be an internationally
recognized standard. This development is due to the
numerous advantages offered by the uniform interface:
manufacturer independence and the resulting investment
security; a wide variety of compatible applications for all
kinds of operating systems and ISDN protocols, etc.
ISDN (the Integrated Services Digital Network) is attractive
for more and more companies because it facilitates fast
and reliable transmission of data in any form.