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Glossary
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A
AC15
A signalling system used for linking two pieces of telecommunications equipment (e.g. two telephone systems) over a distance.
Account Code
A way of attaching a "tag" to a call record. This might be used to indicate that the call is to be charged to a particular account or to indicate the outcome of a call (a sale was made, a brochure requested etc.) Call Management systems can then produce reports listing all calls with the same account codes. Account codes can be attached to incoming and outgoing calls, and it can be made mandatory for an extension user to enter an account code before a call is made.
ACD
Automatic Call Distribution
An automated system for answering, queuing and distributing incoming calls to a number of agents. Popular in call centres, ACD systems also provide statistics, such as the number of calls waiting, average length of call queue etc, which can be incorporated into historical reports or displayed in real time on electronic wallboards.
Adapter
A device that (1) enables different sizes or types of plugs to mate with one another or to fit into an information outlet, (2) provides for the rearrangement of leads, (3) allows large cables with numerous wires to fan out into smaller groups of wires, or (4) makes interconnections between cables.
Ad Hoc Cabling
Cabling scheme where different types of cabling components from different vendors are linked together to form a cabling system.
ADSL
Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line
A broadband technology that delivers high data transfer speeds over existing phone lines. Can reach speeds up to 2 mb.
ADSL+
Super Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line
Speeds greater than 2 mb.
Alpha Tagging
The assignment of an alpha-numeric name to a facility. For example when called by an extension your phone can display the name of the caller rather than the extension number. When an incoming DDI call is received a name can be shown which relates to the number that was dialled, enabling one person to answer calls in a variety of different ways, e.g. in the names of different companies.
Analogue Device
A device that can be attached to an ordinary analogue telephone line, such as a telephone, fax machine, cordless phone, answering machine, modem etc.
ARS
Automatic Route Selection. A technique where the telephone system looks at the digits being dialled to make an outside call and automatically routes the call via an alternate route. Best possible cost efficiencies for outgoing or inter site calls.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
List of 128 characters, specified in set order. Each character is numbered according to its position in the list.
Asymmetrical Duplex
Asymmetrical Duplex Data flows in both directions at the same time however at different speeds.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
A transmission and switching technique capable of supporting voice, video and data (Multimedia) communications It is unique in that each piece of information is addressed and is of the same length. This allows very high-speed communications.
Auto Attendant
An automated answering system that uses prompts to direct callers to the correct department or extension - e.g. "For Support press 1".
B
Backbone(s)
The part of a premises distribution system that includes a main cable route and facilities for supporting the cable from the equipment room to the upper floors, or along the same floor to the wiring closets.
Bandwidth
How much you can send through a connection. Usually measured in bits per second. A full page of English text is roughly 16,000 bits. A fast modem can move about 57,000 bits per second whereas full-motion, full screen video would require some 10,000,000 bits per second, depending on compression. The more bandwidth your connection has, the faster the data travels along it.
Baseband
A form of modulation in which data signals are coded directly onto the transmission medium without frequency division.
Basic Rate
Abbreviated to BRI (basic rate interface) or ISDN2. An ISDN circuit providing 2 x 64 kbit/sec bearer channels for use by data or speech and one 16 kbit/sec control channel. Two independent calls can be carried at the same time on one BRI circuit.
Baud
The number of signal transitions per second. Used for modems.
BER
Bit Error Rate
The ratio of received bits that are in error (relative to the amount of bits received); usually expressed as a number referenced to a power of 10; e.g. 1 error in 10 5 bits - also referred to as a BER of 10 -5.
Bit
Binary Digit
A bit is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value, either 0 or 1.
BlackBerry
A handheld device made by RIM (Research In Motion) that competes with another popular handheld, the Palm , and is marketed primarily for its wireless e-mail handling capability.
BLF
Busy Lamp Field
Visual indication of the status of lines or extensions through Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
Bluetooth
A Personal Area Network (PAN) technology operating at 721 Kbit/s in the 2.4 GHz radio band.
BRI
Basic Rate ISDN2
Access to the public switched network comprising of two 64 kbit channels and 16 kbit signalling – Basic rate.
Bridge
A device that interconnects local or remote networks no matter what higher level protocols (such as IPX or TCP/IP) are involved.
Broadband
Broadband is the common term for a high bandwidth internet connection.
Building Backbone Cable
A cable that connects the building distributor to a floor distributor. Building backbone cables may also connect floor distributors in the same building.
Bulletin Board
An electronic version of a notice board. Users can access the bulletin board to obtain information. When applied to voicemail systems it indicates a system of menus that allow the caller to navigate to the information he wants, for example to find out what films are showing at a cinema.
BYTE
Unit of memory, enough to store one character.
C
Cabling
A system of telecommunications cables, cords and connecting hardware that can support the connection of information technology equipment.
Call Barring
The prevention of calls to certain destinations, e.g. overseas calls or calls to premium rate numbers may be barred.
Call Forwarding
A feature of telephone systems, call forwarding allows incoming calls to be diverted automatically to a different number, for example a mobile phone or a home office.
Call Logging
Data recorded about calls made or received through a telephone system. This data can then be used for reporting.
Call Management
The use of specialist software to analyse and report on call records which are output from a telephone system and recorded on computer disk. The results can identify misuse, allocate costs to departments and verify the adequacy of resources.
Call Park
A call can be parked by one user and then retrieved by another. Particularly useful when loudspeaker announcements are made, e.g. "Telephone call. Joe Smith dial 811". If Joe goes to any phone and dials 811 he will get the call that has been parked there for him.
CAPEX
Capital Expenditure
Carrier
Telephone service provider.
Category 3
For cable and connecting hardware products with transmission characteristics specified to 16 MHz, typically used to support digital transmission of 10 Mb/s.
Category 5 (CAT5)
For cable and connecting hardware products with transmission characteristics specified to 100 MHz, typically used to support digital transmission of 100 Mb/s and above.
Category 5e
This is an enhanced version of Category 5, with additional parameters specified to enable parallel transmission with full duplex across the four pairs. Enhanced Category 5 specifications for cable and connecting hardware products with transmission characteristics specified to 100 MHz, intended to support digital transmission of 1000 Mb/s.
Category 6
For cable and connecting hardware products with transmission characteristics specified to 250 MHz, used to support digital transmission of 1 Gbp/s and above.
Category 7
For cable and connecting hardware products with transmission characteristics specified to 600 MHz. Category 7 is a cable standard only and will require a new connector standard to fully exploit transmission at the above frequencies.
CCM
Call Centre Management
CCU
Central Control Unit
The box or cabinet housing the central equipment that controls the telephone system.
CEM
Customer Experience Management
Software solutions that improve the effectiveness and performance of employees within customer service and contact centre environments. Performance management and eLearning packages which identify individual learning needs and offer immediate eLearning solutions to enhance the customer's experience.
Centrex
A generic name for a feature offered by some Public Network Operators. Users have individual direct exchange lines but calls between users are free of charge and calls can be transferred between users. A limited set of features is provided to give something that approximates to a virtual telephone system.
Circuit
A two-way communications path between electronic devices.
CLI
Calling Line Identity
The network will transmit the telephone number of the call originator to the recipient. One of the key ISDN features, CLI displays the phone number of the caller on the answering phone's display. CLI alpha tagging also shows the caller's name and company. CLI is the enabling feature of many computer telephony integration applications.
Client
A software program that is used to contact and obtain data from a server software programme on another computer, often across a vast distance. Each client programme is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of server programme, and each server requires a specific kind of client. A web browser is a specific kind of client.
CLIP
Calling Line Identity Presentation
A service that provides a called party with the Calling Line ID of the caller. Usually a paid-for option.
CLIR
Calling Line Identification Restriction
Would stop your own CLI being presented to the called party.
Collapsed Backbone
A star-configured backbone system supported by a single root device – often a high-speed switch.
Collision Detection
The act of detecting when an Ethernet collision has occurred.
COLP
Connected Line Presentation
A service which provides the caller with the identity of the person he has connected to. For example you may dial 01234 567890 but that number may be diverted to another. COLP will provide you with the identity of the person you have actually connected to. The identity is typically the telephone number of the connected party. This is a paid-for service from the network provider and compatible equipment is required to make use of it.
Connector
A device that allows you physically to connect and disconnect copper wires or fibres in cable to equipment or to other wires or fibres. Copper wire and fibre optic connectors must often join transmission media to equipment or cross connects.
Conferencing
The joining together of more than two telephone users in a single call. Typically a call will be established between two persons, one will then hold the call, call a third party and then press a button to join all three parties in one call.
Contact Centre
A progression of the call centre merging customer calls with other media such as internet and email in conjunction with CRM applications. A unified approach to customer contact improving customer service levels leading to increased customer acquisition, satisfaction and retention.
Convergence
The merging of voice and data hardware solutions such as the server based PBX. More efficiency and cost benefits becoming available through convergence. In addition Voice switched Over IP is driven by convergent technology.
COS
Class of Service
CPS
Carrier Pre-selection
Carrier Pre-Selection uses network access technology, so voice traffic originating from your site will be routed directly to your chosen network with no need for prefix codes. The "selection" of the preferred provider is done automatically at point of entry (the local exchange) to the public voice network.
CRM
Customer Relations Management
Generic term for applications designed to streamline interactions with customers. CRM software allows call centre agents to access a customer's service history from the back-office customer account packages. Small businesses are waking up to the advantages of CRM solutions that integrate with their PCs. The Internet, Email, IVR, voice and interactive TV have sparked a seismic shift towards web-enabled call centres, opening up a new dimension in offering good service.
CSMA/CA
Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance
A system used by Wireless LANs to warn other stations of an intended transmission, and hence prevents a collision.
CSMA/CD
Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection
A system used in Ethernet where a station listens for the presence of a carrier before attempting to send, and detects the presence of a collision.
CTI
Computer Telephony Integration
The term used to describe the linking of the telephone system with a computer or network. The classic CTI application is "screen popping", which uses CLI to identify the caller and display his/her database records on the screen before the call is answered. CTI also enables calls to be made directly from a contact management package by simply clicking the call button. There are two types of CTI: first party CTI, a standalone solution that requires each PC to be connected to a telephone, and third party CTI, a multiple terminal solution requiring a single link between the telephone system and the network.
Customer Service Mode
Used in voicemail to indicate a service where the caller hears a menu of choices from which he can choose by pressing buttons on his phone. These choices might transfer him to an extension, group of extensions, or the operator, enable him to leave a message or listen to information, or may offer him other menus.
Cut-through
A type of LAN switch which forwards incoming frames without storing and without error-checking.
D
DASS II
UK ISDN signalling protocol.
DC5
A signalling system used to communicate between two adjacent pieces of telecommunications equipment, for example between a telephone system and a router or multiplexer or between two co-located telephone systems. For communication over longer distances DC5 can be converted to AC15.
DCTE
Data Circuit Terminating Equipment
DCP
Digital Control Protocol
DDI
Direct Dialling Inwards
A key ISDN feature is the ability to assign individual phone numbers (DDI Numbers) to extensions and departments, enabling callers to dial them directly without having to go through the operator.
DECT
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephony
DECT cordless handsets provide wireless communications within an office or company premises. The handsets can be fully integrated with the company phone system, allowing users to make, take and transfer calls securely as they move around the premises.
Delayed Ringing
A feature often used to provide an overflow if the switchboard operator is busy or absent. Incoming calls are sent to the operator but other extensions have delayed ringing, so they will start ringing if the call is not answered after a pre-set time.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Allows each device on the network to acquire its own unique IP address in order for it to communicate correctly with other devices.
Dial Up
A communications link that connects a terminal and a computer via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
DISA
Direct Inward Station Access
Provides callers with single-digit access to extensions or ring groups.
Distributor
The term used for the functions of a collection of components (for example, patch panels, patch cords) used to connect cables.
DPNSS
Digital Private Network Signalling System
A private networking standard developed by BT and other PBX suppliers which allows full feature access to be provided between PBXs in private networks. 2mb circuit which can provide up to 30 digital circuits for network telephone and data systems
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line
DSL provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. Typically, the download speed of DSL ranges from 128 kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/s depending on DSL technology and service level implemented.
DSLAM
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplex
A network device, usually at a telephone company central office, that receives signals from multiple customer Digital Subscriber Line connections and puts the signals on a high-speed backbone line using multiplexing techniques.
DSP
Digital Signal Processing/Processor
A silicon device that uses sophisticated signal manipulation procedures to enhance its quality.
DSS
Direct Station Select
A button on a terminal that can be used to directly dial a person or extension associated with that button.
DTE
Data Terminal Equipment
Such as PC, printers, terminals.
DTMF
Dual Tone Multi Frequency
Signalling which is the basis for the operation of pushbutton telephone sets. Dialled numbers are transmitted as tones rather than electronic pulses. This is particularly useful for access to supplementary services (e.g. voicemail and auto attendants).
E
E+M
Another name for DC5
EDGE
Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution
A faster version the Global System for Mobile (GSM) wireless service designed to deliver data at rates up to 384 Kbps and enable the delivery of multimedia and other broadband applications to mobile phone and computer users.
EMC
Electromagnetic Compatibility
The ability of electrical and electronic equipment to co-exist without unacceptable interference.
EMC Directive
The European Directive containing legislation to support the application of rf emission, conducted disturbance and noise immunity standards.
EMI
Electromagnetic Interference
Encryption
A method used to secure data that is transferred over the Internet by scrambling it in such a way that only the intended recipient of the message can read its contents.
Equipment Cable
A cable connecting equipment to a distributor.
Equipment Room
The room in which voice and data common equipment (for example, a Mitel switch & Cisco Switches) is housed, protected, and maintained.
Equipment Subsystem
The part of a premises distribution system that includes the cable and distribution components in an equipment room and that interconnects system-common equipment, other associated equipment, and cross connects.
Ethernet
A common method of networking computers in a LAN. A local-area network (LAN) protocol developed by Xerox Corporation in cooperation with DEC and Intel in 1976.
Euro ISDN
A name for ISDN as defined by the relevant European ETSI standards.
Extranet
An Intranet that is accessible to computers that are not physically part of a company's own private network, but that is not accessible to the general public - for example, to allow vendors and business partners to access a company web site.
Extension Lock
A facility to prevent unauthorised phone use. An extension can be locked by entering a code and unlocked by entering a password. When locked the phone is subject to call barring, perhaps restricting it to internal and emergency service calls only.
F
Fast Ethernet
A version of Ethernet operating at 100 Mbit/s over twisted-pair and optical fibre cabling.
FDDI
Fibre Distributed Data Interface
An industry standard fibre optic LAN with a data rates of 100 Mbit/s.
Fibre Optic Cable
A fibre optic cable in which individual optical fibres are formed into a cable for primary use in side building.
Fibre Optics
The technique of conveying lights or images through glass or plastic fibres. Incoherent fibre optics will transmit light but not an image; coherent fibre optics will transmit both and should actually be called "aligned fibre optics" because the fibres are all the same length and are held in a constant spatial relationship.
Fibre Optic Connectors
Connectors designed to connect and disconnect either single or multiple optical fibres repeatedly. Fibre optic connectors are use to connect fibre cable to equipment and interconnect cables.
Fibre Channel
A high-speed system bus, specified to support data transfer between hosts, host-to-storage device, and channel-to-LAN.
Firewall
A security system that prevents computers on a network from communicating directly with computers on another network. Instead, all communication is routed through a proxy server, which determines whether a particular message or file may pass to or from the host.
Flow Control
A mechanism used to manage the frame/packet transfer rate between devices on a network. Often accomplished by source “throttling”.
Frame
A Data Link Layer (Layer 2) message used within LANs.
Frame Relay
Data network ideally suited to "bursty" traffic.
Full-Duplex Transmission
Transmission over 2 channels in both directions simultaneously.
G
GAP
General Access Protocol
Gateway
A hardware or software set up that translates between two dissimilar protocols, for example AOL has a gateway that translates between its internal, proprietary eMail format and Internet eMail format. Another meaning is to describe any mechanism for providing access to another system.
Gigabit Ethernet
A version of Ethernet operating at 1,000 Mbit/s over twisted-pair and optical fibre cabling.
10 Gigabit Ethernet
A version of Ethernet operating at 10,000 Mbit/s over optical fibre. Operation over twisted pair cabling is also under study.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format
One of the two most common file formats for graphic images on the World Wide Web.
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service
A packet -based wireless communication service that promises data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users
Group Ringing
A group of extensions is rung by dialling a number. The group may be set as a ring group, in which case all of the extensions ring at once, or it may be set as a Hunt Group, in which case the system will find a free extension in the group to take the call.
GSM
Global System for Mobiles
A digital mobile telephony system that is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world.
GUI
Graphical User Interface
A program interface, such as Microsoft Windows, that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages. A GUI will usually feature basic components such as a pointing device (mouse or trackball) to allow you to select objects, icons (small pictures) that represent commands, a desktop area, where icons are grouped, and a menu for the user to select a command from.
H
Half-Duplex Transmission
Transmission in either direction but not both directions simultaneously.
Hiper LAN
A wireless LAN protocol developed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) akin to 802.11. There are two types of Hiper LAN, both operating in the 5GHz band. Hiper LAN/1 provides data-rates up to 20 Mbps and Hiper LAN/2 data rates up to 54 Mbps.
Host
Any computer on a network that is a repository for services available to other computers. It is common to have one host machine provide several services, such as SMTP (eMail) and HTTP (Web).
Hosting/Hosted IP Telephony
This means that a reseller/supplier "host" all of the hardware infrastructure (I.e. Telephone PBX) in a secure central site and provide customers with access to this over a IP network. No hardware telephone system is required on the customer site.
HTML
HyperText Markup Language
Horizontal Cable
A cable connecting the floor distributor to the telecommunications outlet(s).
Horizontal Runs
The part of the premises distribution system installed on one floor that includes the cabling and distribution components connecting the riser backbone or equipment wiring to the information outlet.
HSCSD
High Speed Circuit Switch Data
Circuit-switched wireless data transmission for mobile users at data rates up to 38.4 Kbps, four times faster than the standard data rates of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication standard in 1999.
HTTP
HyperText Transfer Protocol
Hub
The core of a star topology network or cabling system.
Hunt Groups
A means of finding a free extension to take a call. Calls are directed to a Hunt Group and will search for a free extension to take the call. Various hunting types are available, First Free or Terminal Hunting will search for the first free extension in the group, so this person gets most of the calls. Circular or UCD (Uniform Call Distribution) Hunting will share calls equally over the group.
Hybrid Cable
An assembly of two or more different types of cable units, cables or categories covered by an overall sheath. It may be covered by an overall shield.
I
ICT
Information & Communications Technology
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IIM
Intelligent Infrastructure Management
Intercloset Cables
Cables that connect telecommunications closets.
Internet
The Internet is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
Intranet
A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software that you would find on the public Internet, but which is only for internal use.
IP
Internet Protocol
The standard for sending the basic unit of data, an IP datagram, through the internet. IP uses packet switching techniques to send data in small chunks (packets).
IP ADDRESS
Just as a physical address identifies a particular building on a particular street an IP address identifies a particular device on a particular network. An IP address is made up of two halves one half designating the network and the other half a device on that network.
IPT
IP Telephony
The use of IP signalling methods to send voice traffic across a data network. Voice signals are broken down into packets and reassembled at the receiving end. This eliminates the need for separate voice and data networks by converging all traffic on one network.
IP Gateway - VoIP Gateway
A gateway for an existing telephone system, which converts normal circuit-switched telephony traffic into IP for transmission over a data network, such as a private data network between two sites.
IP VPN
Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network
IPX
Internetwork Packet Exchange
A networking protocol from Novell that interconnects networks that use Novell's NetWare clients and servers.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network
ISDN is a dial up digital public network for voice and data communications with charges based on line rental and usage. ISDN provides a number of advanced telephony services, such as CLI and DDI, which form the basis of today's advanced telephony applications. It is available in two forms: Basic Rate ISDN2e (2 channels) and Primary Rate ISDN30e (30 channels).
ISDN30
Provision of up to 30 exchange lines on fibre optic cable allowing connection of DDI, CLI etc.
ISO
International Organisation for Standardisation.
ISP
Internet Service Provider
Allows you to connect to the Internet.
IT
Information Technology
A term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms.
IVR
Interactive Voice Response
IVR systems automate routine transactions, such as requests for literature or information by using voice recognition or phone keypad operations.
J
Jacket
The flexible covering of a cable, used to protect the colour-coded conductors inside.
JavaScript
A programming language that is mostly used in Web pages, usually to add features that make the page more interactive. When it is included in an HTML file it relies upon the browser to interpret the JavaScript. When it is combined with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and later versions of HTML (4.0 and later) the result is often referred to as DHTML (Dynamic HTML).
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group
JPEG is most commonly mentioned as a file format for image files. JPEG format is preferred to the GIF format for photographic images as opposed to line art or simple logo art.
Jumper
A cable unit or cable element without connectors used to make a connection on a cross-connect.
K
Keyphone
A telephone for use with a particular make and model of telephone system which incorporates features allowing it to communicate with the telephone system and display information, typically by means of lights, buttons and visual displays.
Key System
A telephone system designed for all extensions to answer incoming calls. The distribution of all incoming calls across a business or team.
Kilobyte
A thousand bytes (Usually 1024 bytes).
KBPS
Kilobytes Per Second.
L
LAN
Local Area Network
A computer network limited to the immediate area, usually the same building or floor of a building.
LAN Interconnection
Using ISDN an organization can connect LANs at different locations into a WAN (Wide Area Network) on a dial up basis, without the need for a permanent, expensive, leased data link.
LAN Telephony
The convergence of voice and data on a LAN, eliminating the need for separate voice and data networks within an organization.
Latency
The amount of end-to-end delay in a network path or channel.
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display
A display panel found on many phones capable of showing text prompts or messages.
LCR
Least Cost Routing
The process that provides customers with cheap telephone calls. Within a telecoms carrier, an LCR team could choose routes from between twenty to over one hundred suppliers for national and internal numbers on a weekly or even daily basis to maintain a competitive cost base and acceptable call quality. The LCR team also has to take route and call quality into account. The quality of route to a destination can vary considerably between suppliers and even from week to week from the same supplier.
LDAP
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
Leased Line
Lines such as a telephone line or fibre optic cable that is rented for exclusive 24/7 use from your location to another location. The highest speed data connections require a leased line.
LED
Light Emitting Diode
A semi-conductor device used as an indicator lamp. Typically these are incorporated into buttons allowing visual indication of calls, voicemail messages and status of other lines and extensions.
Live Call Screening
A facility available on some voicemail systems which allows someone who has diverted his calls to voicemail to listen to a caller leaving a message and pick up the call if he wants to.
Loud Ringing Bell
An audio warning device to alert someone that a call is ringing. It may simply be an extension bell to a telephone or it could be a set of bells around the building so that anyone can pick up the incoming call.
M
MAC
Moves, Adds and Changes
Mailbox
A reference to the location where voicemail messages for a particular user are stored.
MAPI
Messaging Application Program Interface
Mb
Megabyte
A measure of computer processor storage and real and virtual memory, a megabyte (abbreviated Mb) is 2 to the 20th power bytes, or 1,048,576 bytes in decimal notation.
MPD
Meter Pulse Detection
A BT service for their analogue lines, to allow a subscriber to accurately establish the charge of a telephone call. To a subscriber, it was a Meter Pulse received by monitoring equipment down their telephone line. To BT, it was a Charge Unit recorded on the subscriber's meter in the local BT exchange. During a call, the first pulse would be transmitted the moment the call connected. Subsequent pulses would be transmitted at time intervals thereafter, the interval depending upon the telephone number dialled and the time of day. Hence, the more expensive the call, the shorter the time interval (and therefore the more Meter Pulses), and vice-versa. No new supply or additional supply of Meter Pulsing has been provided since the end of December 1998.
Modem
Modulator-De Modulator
MPLS
Multi Protocol Label Switching
A data-carrying mechanism which emulates some properties of a circuit-switched network over a packet-switched network. It can be used to carry many different kinds of traffic, including IP packets, as well as native ATM, SONET, and Ethernet frames.
MSN
Multiple Subscriber Numbering
An optional feature of ISDN2 lines allowing up to 10 telephone numbers to be assigned to a single line so that devices connected to that line can be called individually. Can be used to produce a limited version of DDI.
Multicast
A point-to-group message transmission within a network.
Music on Hold
An audio signal that is played to a caller on hold to reassure him that he has not been cut off. Typically music, it may be interspersed with advertising messages or could be simply a reassuring beep played every few seconds.
N
NAT
Network Address Translation
Allows the internal network structure of an organisation to use its own private range of IP addresses. Any traffic destined for the outside world will be translated into a real IP address for communication on the internet.
Network
Any time you connect two or more computers together so that they can share resources, you have a computer network.
NGN
Non Geographical Number
The United Kingdom dialling code (08XX, 09XX) is defined by OFCOM as Special Services: Higher Rate. When originally introduced, it was to be charged at no more than BT's standard national rate. A non-geographic number does not relate to any particular location in the United Kingdom like a standard geographic (01 or 02) telephone number does.
NIC
Network Information Centre
Generally, any office that handles information for a network. The most famous of these on the Internet was InterNIC, which was where most new domain names were registered until that process was decentralized to a number of private companies. Also means "Network Interface Card" which is the card in a computer into which you plug a network cable.
Night Service
Most telephone systems have at least two operating modes, Day Service and Night Service. These are typically used to route incoming calls to a different destination and to apply call barring to prevent unauthorised use of the phones by security or cleaning staff.
NTS
Number Translation Services
The service of routing a telephone call with a non-geographic number beginning with 07, 08, or 09 to a hidden geographic or mobile number.
O
Octet
A grouping of 8 data bits. Sometimes referred to as a Byte.
OFCOM
Office of Communications
The independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
Open Source Software
Software for which the underlying programming is available to the users so that they may read it, make changes to it, and build new versions of the software to incorporate those changes. There are many types of Open Source Software, mainly differing in the licensing term under which (altered) copies of the source code may (or must) be redistributed.
OPEX
Operating Expenditures
OSI
Open System Interconnection
Overflow Group
A feature often used to provide an overflow if the switchboard operator is busy or absent. Incoming calls are sent to the operator but other extensions have delayed ringing, so they will start ringing if the call is not answered after a pre-set time.
P
PABX
Private Automated Branch Exchange
Allows central control of incoming call via a single operator.
Packet
See Datagram.
Packet Switching
The method used to move data and voice around a network. In packet switching, all the data is broken up into chunks - each chunk has the address of where it came from and where it is going. This enables chunks of data from many different sources to co-mingle on the same lines and be sorted and directed along different routes by special machines along the way. In this way many people can use the same lines at the same time.
PAN
Personal Area Network
Standards being developed by IEEE 802.15 based on radio (Bluetooth) technology.
Parallel Port
Port in a PC used for the connection of external equipment such as a printer, scanner etc.
Patch Port
Cabling connection point. This is typically the part of a structured network cabling system (cat 5) that enables switching of services either voice or data to RJ45 sockets.
PBX
Private Branch Exchange
(Also called PBX, Private Business eXchange or PABX for Private Automatic Branch eXchange) - a telephone exchange that is owned by a private business, as opposed to one owned by a common carrier or by a telephone company.
PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association
PCN
Personal Communications Network
A wireless phone service similar to cellular telephone service but emphasizing personal service and extended mobility.
PDA
Personal Digital Assistant
A term for any small mobile hand-held device that provides computing and information storage and retrieval capabilities for personal or business use.
Portable Document Format
A file format that has captured all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that you can view, navigate, print, or forward to someone else.
Permanent link
The transmission path between two mated interfaces of generic cabling, excluding equipment cables, work area cables and cross-connections.
Piconet
A single Bluetooth wireless personal area network containing up to 8 active devices.
PMS
Property Management System
Hotel / Motel "Front of House" software package.
Point of Presence
A Point of Presence usually means a city or location where a network can be connected to, often with dial up phone lines.
Portal
Usually used as a marketing term to describe a web site that is or is intended to be the first place people see when they are using the Web. Typically, a Portal site has a catalogue of web sites, a search engine or both. A Portal site may also offer Email and other services to entice people to use that site as their main "point of entry" to the web.
POT(S)
Plain Old Telephone (Service)
Power over Ethernet
The provision of up to 12 watts of dc power over Ethernet twisted-pair cabling, specified by IEEE 802.3af. Also know as PoE.
PPP
Point to Point Protocol
Successor to SLIP Provides router-to-router and host-to-network connections over both synchronous and synchronous circuits.
Predictive Dialling
A third party CTI application, predictive dialling removes all dialling responsibilities from an agent. Once a call has been completed the software automatically dials the next number on the agent's call list.
PRI
Primary Rate ISDN
(ISDN30e) provides up to 30 "B" channels, giving users 30 lines that can be used for any combination of voice, data and video.
Primary Rate
An ISDN circuit providing (in Europe) up to 30 x 64 kbit/sec bearer channels for use by data or speech and two 16 kbit/sec control channels. Up to 30 independent calls can be carried at the same time on one Primary Rate.
PRIVATE CIRCUIT
Point to Point private communications link. (Not switched).
PROTOCOL
A set of rules and conventions by which two computers pass messages across a network. Two devices require a common protocol in order to communicate.
PSDN
Packet Switched Data Network
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network
Exchange lines provided by a network provider.
Public Network Interface
A point of demarcation between public and private network. In many cases the public network interface is the point of connection between the network provider's facilities and the customer premises cabling.
Pulse Dialling
Also known as LD (loop-disconnect) dialling. A method of dialling where the telephone is alternately disconnected and connected to signal to the exchange. For example if a digit 5 is dialled this could be signalled by sending 5 disconnection pulses. The frequency and length of the pulses and the number of pulses for each digit can vary from country to country. This dialling method is now mostly superseded by tone dialling.
Q
QoS
Quality of Service
Used to define the level of service and control the transmission of different types of traffic (voice, data, video).
QSIG
The protocol for networking telecommunications systems from different manufacturers.
Quad Fibre Cable
A type of fibre optic cable that has four single cables enclosed in an extruded jacket of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with a rip cord for pulling back the jacket to access the fibres.
R
Rack
A vertical or horizontal open support, usually made of aluminium or steel, that is attached to a ceiling or wall. Cables are laid in and fastened to the rack.
RAID
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (formerly Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks)
A way of storing the same data in different places (thus, redundantly) on multiple hard disks. By placing data on multiple disks, I/O (input/output) operations can overlap in a balanced way, improving performance. Since multiple disks increases the mean time between failures (MTBF), storing data redundantly also increases fault tolerance.
RAS
Remote Access Server
Resistance
The property of a conductor that determines the current produced by a given potential difference. It impedes the flow of current and results in the dissipation of power as heat. Resistance is measured in ohms.
Riser(s)
The term used to describe a space utilized by backbone cabling to house communications cabling and other building services. This space should preferably be specified, or allowed for, at the time of the building design.
RMON
Remote Monitoring
Part of SNMP.
ROI
Return on Investment
Router
A special purpose computer or software package that handles the connection between two or more packet switched networks. Routers spend all their time looking at the source and destination addresses of the packets passing through them and deciding which route to send them on.
RSVP
Resource Reservation Protocol
A protocol used to support QoS for different types of traffic in a network. Part of TCP/IP.
S
SAN
Storage Area Network
A special network designed to interconnect multiple storage devices at high speed. Fibre Channel is often used.
S Bus
Device used to connect data terminals such as video conferencing units to ISDN lines.
Screen Popping
The initialising and presentation of database information selected using the CLI. Reduces the time spent searching for customer service history etc.
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface
A special network designed to interconnect multiple storage and peripheral devices to computers at high speed and over limited distances.
SDH
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
A synchronous transmission system used for telecommunications worldwide, operating up to many Gbit/s.
Serial Port
Port in a PC used for the connection of external equipment such as an external modem. Also used for connection of call-logging, CTI, etc.
Server
A computer, or software package, that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on other computers. The term can refer to a particular piece of software or to the machine on which the software is running. A single server machine can have several different server software packages running on it, thus providing many different services to clients on the network.
SHDS
Short Haul Data Service
Sheath
A common term for the collection of twisted pairs of multipair cables.
SIMPLEX
Flow of data in one direction only.
Single-Fibre Cable
A plastic-coated fibre surrounded by an extruded layer of plastic encased in a synthetic strengthening material, and enclosed in a plastic sheath.
SiNET
Simple Integrated Network
A fully managed hosted IP telephony service.
SIP
Session Initiation Protocol
An Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard, SIP is an open, Internet genuine protocol for establishing and maintaining multi-party, mixed media sessions over converged networks. SIP enables the creation and deployment of feature rich services that go far beyond simple VoIP calls.
SLA
Service Level Agreement
A contract between a network service provider and a customer that specifies, usually in measurable terms, what services the network service provider will furnish. Many Internet service providers (ISP)s provide their customers with an SLA. More recently, IS departments in major enterprises have adopted the idea of writing a service level agreement so that services for their customers (users in other departments within the enterprise) can be measured, justified, and perhaps compared with those of outsourcing network providers.
SLG
Service Level Guarantee
SLT
Single Line Telephone
SMDR
Station Message Detail Recording
SMDS
Switched Multi-Megabit Data Service
LAN extension service.
SMB
Small and Medium Business
SME
Small and Medium Enterprise
