The invention relates to the representation of ISDN connections, which is independent of the type of connection, in a packet-oriented exchange. By adapting the signaling information, which is transmitted by ISDN connections, in a peripheral adapter, different ISDN connection types can be handled as a standard connection type in the packet-oriented exchange. The adaptation can ensue, for example, with the aid of a conversion table for the useful data references and call identifiers comprising signaling messages. The invention is advantageous in that it involves an uncomplicated representation of ISDN data in the packet-oriented exchange. ISDN connection-related data do not need to be managed in the packet-oriented exchange.