Glossary
Of UniCall Terms
or "ADSL" a technology which allows high speed data communication
through the same copper lines
A specialised phone system which is capable
of handling high volumes of incoming phone calls. The ACD recognises
and answers calls according to instructions in a database, before
sending the call to an agent. They also offer management information
on the type and volume of calls and the efficiency of agents. This
means that calls can be handled more quickly and efficiently.
Refers to a DSL Internet connection as a dedicated connection. This
means there is no dial-up process to connect to the Internet because
the computer is linked directly to the Internet.
or "ATM" a switching and transmission technology that is one of
a general class of packet technologies that relay traffic by way
of an address contained within the first five bits of a standard
fifty- three bit-long packet or cell. ATM-based transport was specifically
developed to allow switching and transmission of mixed voice, data
and video at varying rates
A high-speed data network that handles the consolidated data traffic
from network to network. In DSL network, a backbone network consolidates
data traffic from the individual DSL connections into a backbone
network for deliver to the ISPs.
The capacity of a data communication link. The greater the bandwidth,
the more data that can travel through the connection.
The speed at which bits (binary digits) are transmitted. A measure
of the actual data transmission rate. A byte is eight bits, which
represents one data character. This is the measurement for computer
data.
A term used to describe a high-capacity network that can carry several
services on the same line, such as data, voice, and video. DSL is
broadband.
A unit of data, which consists of 8 bits.
Centrex groups together ordinary telephone lines to create a virtual
PABX, thus providing those lines with features and functionality
traditionally associated with a PABX. The equipment is managed by
your public network operator and therefore you have minimum capital
outlay and inconvenience in configuring equipment. Centrex provides
DDI
CLI allows a called number to access the number of the telephone
line making the call. The number is carried through the telephone
network for possible display or use by the organisation being called.
This means that a company can pick up the phone and greet their
caller straight away, or ignore unwanted calls
The technology automatically linking computers and PABX's. This
enables companies to access computer held information on customers
as soon as they call, which saves time as the employee is not searching
for information and keeping the caller waiting
A message based signalling system to provide multi-line interconnection
to a telecommunications network. DASSII is the standard ISDN network
access for all large digital PABXs in the UK
A telecommunications system accommodating individual numbers on
telephone extensions so callers can dial direct into an extension
without diverting through an operator. This means that your customers
can quickly reach the right person in your organisation, but you
retain control over who has access to your DDI numbers
Provides the name resolution process that connects user friendly
text names with specific IP addresses. You use DNS to identify your
business on the Internet as yourcompany.com. In DNS, each host on
your network belongs to your domain. When you use both the host
name and the domain name, you're using a Fully Qualified Domain
Name (FQDN).
The direction data flows from the Internet down to your computer.
Some DSL flavors, such as ADSL and G.lite deliver data a lot faster
downstream than upstream.
The generic term that refers to the underlying technology that transforms
standard telephone lines into high-speed data communications links.
Refers to all flavors of DSL, such as SDSL, ADSL, IDSL, etc.
The device typically housed at the CO that terminates all the DSL
lines services by the CO.
A common term used for a DSL bridge, which is a device that combines
one or more networks into a single seamless network.
An IP address assigned by the ISP to a client for the current session
or some other specified amount of time. This form of IP addressing
is commonly used for residential DSL service.
A term for push button or Touch-tone telephone dialling method.
This enables users to interact with advanced network features such
as call barring and call forwarding
is a product that enables data transmission over existing buried
power cables. In effect, it turns the low voltage segment of the
existing power distribution infrastructure into an Intranet and
the customer is provided with a Local Area Network for home or office
use. The technology provides permanent connection to the Internet
and allows data to be transferred speeds up to 1 Mbit/second.
A standard used as the basis for E1 service that has a 2 Mbps capacity.
The E1 line is the benchmark in leased, digital line service from
ILECs.
The most popular local area networking technology that supports
data rates of 10Mbps. Most of today's Ethernet LANs use twisted-pair
10BaseT cabling that uses RJ45 jacks. A new version of Ethernet
called Fast Ethernet supports data rates up to 100mbps.
The use of light (often laser) travelling down a fine glass fibre
to carry information. Inherently immune to interference, it allows
faster communication than copper wire, and over longer links
System software stored in memory that controls a device, such as
a DSL modem or router. Because firmware is software, DSL equipment
can be updated by installed new firmware into the device. This allows
new features to be added to the DSL CPE without buying new equipment.
A hardware or software security device that controls access from
the Internet to a computer or LAN to prevent hackers from disrupting
service, damaging computer resources, or stealing data.
A nickname for a standards based form of ADSL that supports up to
8Mbps downstream and 1.54Mbps upstream.
This new member of the DSL family is based on the international
standard dubbed G.lite. It supports up to 1.54Mbps downstream and
384Kbps upstream. G.lite is intended primarily at the consumer market.
HDSL is the most established of the DSL technologies and is widely
used for expensive T-1 service from the telephone companies. It
is symmetric, with a maximum 1.5Mbps traveling both ways over two
copper phone lines. SDSL is based on the same proven technology
except it only requires a single telephone line instead of the two
lines required for HDSL. HDSL-2 is a standards-based next generation
of HDSL that requires only two lines and has other enhancements
over HDSL.
A device that serves as the central connection point for cables
connected to computers via Ethernet adapters. A network with a hub
uses the star topology because every networked computer and other
devices connect to the hub as the spoke.
Probably the World's biggest network (excluding the public telephone
system), it is a network of networks. Originally it was ARPANET,
a network designed to link US military and academic resources but
its scope is now world-wide. Users connect to the Internet via a
modem and telephone line to server computers run by Service Providers
who provide access to the whole of the Internet
a generic term for a digital system that allows a variety of telecommunications
services to be carried over the same digital network
or "IP" a method or protocol by which packets of data are transmitted
across a network
Internet Protocol address. A numeric notation used to represent
unique address for any network device on the Internet or any TCP/IP
network. For example, 209.67.232.2 is an IP address
or "ISP" an organisation which provides access to the Internet
ISDN is a way of moving digital voice, data and digital image transmission
simultaneously over existing phone lines. Access channels include
Basic Rate Access (2 x 64 kbit/s + 16 kbit/s) and Primary Rate Access
(2.048 Mbit/s). This enables graphics files to be transmitted quickly
and cost effectively. ISDN also enables rapid Internet access and
videoconferencing facilities
A telecommunications body representing the joint interests of the
world's carriers, equipment manufacturers and users. The union is
responsible for setting standards and international radio communications
and frequency allocation
A telephone service in which an intelligent system allows a user
to interact via a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) phone pad. Services
can include information provision via recorded messages or automatically
sending a fax to the caller's dialled number on request
kilobits per second. A measurement for data communications, 1Kbps
equals 1,000 bits.
(Local Area Network) A system that links computers together to form
a network. The PSTN network offers a gateway so that one LAN can
connect to another
A generic term for the telephone line connecting a customer's premises
to the central office.
MOdulator/DEModulator. This is a device for translating the digital
output of a computer into a form that can be transmitted over a
telephone line. To receive information, the modem works in reverse
and converts the telephone signals back into digital signals. They
can be fitted internally in the form of a modem card or may be an
external device. Current modems transfer data at 56,000 bits per
second (bps). Many modems can also talk to fax machines, which lets
you use your computer to send and receive faxes to and from fax
machines
Megabits per second Megabits means million bits per second. For
example, a 2 Mbps DSL connection can transmit two million bits per
second.
A device to send several signals over a single line. Multiplexers
are becoming increasingly efficient in terms of data compression,
error correction, transmission speed and multi-drop capabilities
A term used to describe a data connection under 56Kbps.
Network Address Translation. Allows you to better manage your IP
addresses by allowing you to use IP addresses not recognized on
the Internet. As a result, the computers behind the DSL router are
invisible to the Internet. NAT acts as a basic firewall to protect
your LAN from Internet intruders.
network interface card. The adapter installed in a computer or other
network device for connecting to a LAN.
A Private Automatic Branch exchange/telephone exchange installed
on your premises linked to the PSTN
A unit of data transmitted over a data network. TCP/IP is a data
packet network.
Plain Old Telephone Service. A telecommunications term used to refer
to basic telephone voice service.
A formal set of rules and formats that allow two or more systems
to communicate with each other. Protocols allows products and services
from different manufacturers to interoperate with each other. TCP/IP
is the protocol that forms the basis of the Internet.
(Public Switched Telephone Network) The public phone system which
includes telephones, local lines, local exchanges and the complete
system of trunks and the exchange hierarchy which makes up the network
a public telecommunications operator. A PTO licence is a licence
to provide telecommunications services granted pursuant to the Telecommunications
Act 1984
A standard modular connector that supports two pairs of telephone
wire. Used to connect the DSL line wall jack to the DSL modem or
router at your premises.
A standard modular connector that supports up to four pair of copper
wires. RJ45 connectors are used with 10BaseT cabling for connecting
computers, DSL modems and routers, and other networked equipment
to a hub on an Ethernet network.
A device that forwards data traffic between separate networks. Routed
service means your LAN is defined as a separate network from your
ISP's network. A router examines the network addresses in the packets
it receives and forwards data destined to the Internet to the ISP's
router.
(Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) SDH has many advantages over existing
transmission technologies including flexibility in managing the
transmission, reconfiguration and control and switching at data
rates to 622Mbit/s and beyond
Symmetrical DSL. A symmetrical (equal upstream and downstream speeds)
DSL service that delivers variable speeds, including 200Kbps, 416
Kbps, 784Kbps, 1Mbps, and 1.5Mps (equivalent to a T-1 line).
A subset of a larger network. Each subnet within a network shares
a common network address and is uniquely identified by a subnet
address.
A 32-bit number used to separate the network and host sections of
an IP address. A subnet mask subdivides an IP network into smaller
pieces.
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol The standard network
communications protocol, or set of rules, for electronic messages
that is used to connect computers across the Internet
or "URL" a method of uniquely identifying services on the Internet
or "UMTS" a ``third generation'' mobile communications system which
will provide an enhanced range of multi-media services, for example
video and high speed Internet access
The direction data flows from your computer to the Internet. Some
DSL flavors, such as ADSL and G.Lite deliver data considerably slower
upstream than downstream speed. Businesses with web and email servers
require more upstream bandwidth.
or "VPNs" used by multi-site corporations which make extensive use
of telecommunication services between sites, VPNs consist predominantly
of: (i) lines over the ordinary public switched telephone network
where capacity demands are low; (ii) dedicated leased lines which
the PTO operator can partition through the use of intelligent switches,
where capacity demands are high; and (iii) pre-configured data paths
over a data network.
Video and audio communication between two or more parties via a
videocodec (coder/decoder) at either end linked by digital circuits.
Videoconferencing enables remote parties to hold meetings without
having to spend valuable time and resources on travelling. ISDN
provides efficient videoconferencing links
(Wide Area Network) A network which covers a wider geographical
area than a LAN. This means that offices in more than one location
can be interconnected so that information can be shared, thus saving
time and resources in travelling, phone calls and sending faxes
XDSL
A generic terms used to refer to the entire
family of DSL technologies. The x is a placeholder for A in ADSL,
S in SDSL, and so on.
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