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Glossary of Terms |
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A-C
10Base-T
Also known as Twisted Pair Ethernet. See
Ethernet
100Base-T
A newer version of Ethernet that operates at
ten times the speed of a 10Base-T Ethernet.
See also Ethernet
application
A software program.
bandwidth
Amount of data that can be transmitted in a
fixed amount of time.
bridge
A device that connects two LANs or two
segments of the same LAN.
browser
Software used to display sites on the World
Wide Web.
call park
A call park number allows the user to "park"
a call at a specified directory number, go
to another phone and dial the "park" number
to retrieve the call. This is different from
Hold because the user can retrieve the call
from any phone on the same system. The
system administrator must configure a call
park number or range for this feature to
work.
circuit-switched gateways
The process of configuring and maintaining
an open circuit between two or more gateways
so those gateways have the exclusive use of
circuit until the connection is released.
client
An application on a computer that works in
conjunction with a server to perform some
operation. An IP Phone is an example of a
client.
client/server
The process of workload sharing between the
client, the server, and the network.
CO (Central Office)
The place the local telephone company uses
to do the required processing and to
physically switch calls to other exchanges
or carriers required for completion;
frequently used as a synonym for LEC (local
exchange carrier)
CSU (Channel Status Unit)
A device used in conjunction with a T-1
multiplexor that monitors each channel of
the T-1 to ensure it is functioning
properly.
database
A collection of information organized so
that a computer application can quickly
select pieces of information from it.
D-F
D-channel (data channel)
An ISDN channel used to carry control
signals and customer call data in a packet
switched mode. Provides the signaling
information for each of the voice channels
(known as B-channels).
DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol)
DHCP Service is a client/server system
available with Windows NT Server. DHCP
automatically assigns IP addresses to
devices whenever you plug them in. For
example, this allows you to connect phones
anywhere on the IP network and DHCP
automatically assigns IP addresses to them.
You can also move phones from one location
on the network to another with no
configuration.
directory number
The telephone number or internal extension
assigned to an IP Phone. For example, 1001.
The directory number is assigned to the
phone itself, not a location or a user, so
if the phone is moved, it still retains the
same directory number.
DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency)
System used by touch-tone telephones where
specific frequencies or tones are assigned
to each key so it can be easily identified
by a microprocessor.
EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable
read-only memory)
A special type of PROM (programmable read
only memory) that can be erased by exposing
it to an electrical charge.
Ethernet
A LAN protocol used for connecting
computers, workstations, terminals,
printers, and other devices located in the
same building. Also known as 10Base-T, which
signifies the Ethernet data transfer rate of
10 Mbps.
flash memory
A special kind of EEPROM that can be erased
and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one
byte at a time. Flash memory resides in a
chip when the power is turned off.
first party call control
Used in TAPI development; if an audio stream
terminates at your application, you have
first party call control.
G-I
G.711
An audio compression standard used for
digital telephones on a digital PBX/ISDN.
G.711 uses a bandwidth of 64 Kbps.
G.711-compliant devices can communicate with
other G.711 devices, but not with G.723
devices.
G.723
An audio compression standard used for
digital telephones on a digital PBX/ISDN
that produces digital audio at either 6.4 or
5.3 Kbps. G.723-compliant devices can
communicate other G.723 devices, but not
with G.711 devices.
gateway
A device that links two different types of
networks.
H.323
A communications standard that allows
dissimilar communication devices to
communicate with each other using a
standardized communications protocol.
hub
A common connection point for devices in a
network.
internal extension
See directory number
IP Telephony Solutions
A software and hardware product suite
offering an IP alternative to traditional
Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs). Includes IP
phones and server software enabling voice
and data over an existing LAN and WAN
infrastructure.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
Network that carries digital voice, video,
and data over regular telephone lines. See
also PSTN
ISP (Internet service provider)
A company that provides access to the World
Wide Web for a fee.
IVR (interactive voice response)
A device using remote touch-tone telephones
with a digitized, synthesized voice that
reads information on a computer screen to
the distant caller.
J-L
Kbps (Kilobits per second)
Measure of data transfer speed.
LAN (local area network)
Linked computers that are geographically
close together, for example, in the same
building. See also WANs; see also network
LEC (Local Exchange Carrier)
See CO
M-O
MBPS (Megabytes per second)
Measure of data transfer speed
media termination point
A media termination point is a virtual
device that allows transfer, forward,
conference, and hold features on any G.711
µ-law call between an IP Phone and any H.323
gateway, gatekeeper, or client. A call using
MTP automatically converts A-law to µ-law
(and vice versa), if required.
Microsoft NetMeeting
A virtual meeting application from
Microsoft. NetMeeting allows you to share
applications, a virtual whiteboard, transfer
files, and chat with other NetMeeting users.
modem (modulator-demodulator)
A device or software application enabling a
computer to transmit data over a telephone
line. A modem converts digital data to
analog or transmission, and vice versa.
Multicast
A process of transmitting messages from one
source to many destinations.
NANP (North American Routing Plan)
Any number that can be connected in North
America. For example, 214-555-1234.
NetMeeting
See Microsoft NetMeeting
network
A group of two or more computer systems that
are linked. Examples include LANs and WANs.
nodes
Computers on networks.
off-hook
A change in line voltage caused when the
receiver or handset is lifted from the
hookswitch. A traditional PBX or local
telephone company recognizes this line
voltage change as a request for dial tone.
on-hook
A line voltage condition caused when the
receiver or handset is resting on the
hookswitch. A traditional PBX or local
telephone company recognizes this condition
as an idle state.
P-R
PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
A small to medium sized customer premise
telephone system that is also a switch
(computer) providing communications between
onsite telephones and exterior
communications networks. PBX systems are
connected to the CO with trunks. On a PBX,
an outside line is normally accessed by
dialing "9."
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)
Standard telephone service used by most
residential locations.
PRI (primary rate interface)
A type of ISDN service designed for large
organizations. Includes many B-channels
(bearer channels) and one D-channel (data
channel).
protocol
Defines a common set of rules and signals
that computers on the network use to
communicate. Ethernet is an example of a LAN
protocol.
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
Better known as your local telephone
company. The PSTN network carries voice data
over analog telephone lines. See also ISDN.
repeater
A network device used to regenerate or
replicate a signal. Used by transmission
systems to regenerate analog or digital
signals that were distorted by transmission
loss.
route group
A route group allows you to designate the
order in which analog access ports and
digital access gateways are used. All
members of a route group must have the same
route pattern. Route groups are optional.
For example, if you use two long distance
carriers, you could set up a route group so
that long distance calls to the less
expensive carrier are given priority.
route point
A route point lets you designate the order
in which route groups are used. If you are
adding route groups, you must add a route
point that includes those groups.
router
Device connecting two LANs. In additional to
providing an interface between two LANs,
routers also offer message filtering and
network management capabilities.
routing filter
Allow you to restrict the routing patterns
users can dial. Routing filters can only be
used with routing patterns that use the
North American Numbering Plan.
S-U
scalable
Refers to a software application's or a
hardware device's ability to migrate from
small operations to large operations with
little effort or cost.
server
A computer or device on a network that works
in conjunction with a client to perform some
operation. The Windows 2000 server is an
example of a server.
switch
A network device that filters and forwards a
piece of a message (also called packets)
between LAN segments.
T-1 (or T-1.5)
A digital device that combines the output of
up to 24 regular telephone lines for
transmission over a digital network.
TCP/IP (transmission control
protocol/Internet protocol)
A suite of communications protocols
developed by the Department of Defense in
the 1970s that connect hosts on the
Internet. The reigning standard for
transmitting data over networks.
telephony
The science of translating sound into
electrical signals, transmitting the
signals, then converting them back into
sound.
third party call control
Used in TAPI development; if an audio stream
terminates at some location or physical
device other your application or device, you
have third party call control.
traffic
The load on a communications device or
system.
trunk
Circuits that connect two telephony
switching systems, such as a PBX and a
central office. A trunk is a voice and data
path that simultaneously handles multiple
voice and data connections between switches.
See also CO
Unicast
A process of transmitting messages from one
source to one destination.
V-X
WAN (wide area network)
Computer network where the computers are not
necessarily geographically close and are
linked by telephone lines or radio waves.
See also LANs; See also network.
Web interface
A software application that runs on the
World Wide Web, and is usually accessed by
entering an address starting with "www". The
Cisco CallManager Administration uses a Web
interface.
Y-Z
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