Professional Documents
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PBX
This diagram shows a private branch exchange (PBX) system. This diagram shows a PBX with
telephone sets, voice mail system, and trunk connections to PSTN. The PBX switches calls between
telephone sets and also provides them switched access to the PSTN. The voice mail depends on the
PBX to switch all calls needing access to it along with the appropriate information to process the call.
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DSL
This figure shows a simplified ADSL communication system that consists of a digital subscriber line
access mulitplexer (DSLAM), local distribution lines that start from a main distribution frame (MDF)
wire cabinet that brings the connection to the digital subscriber line (DSL) modem at the customer's
location. Modems in the DSLAM convert the digital signals from the internet to high frequency signals
that travel down the telephone line to the DSL modem. The DSL modem converts the RF signals back
to its original digital form so it can be provided to the customer's computer. Most DSL technologies
(such as ADSL shown in this example) transmit the data information on frequencies about the audio
channel. This allows for the simultaneous transmission of analog and data signals on the same
telephone line. The highest frequencies are used transmission from the DSLAM to the DSL modem
and frequencies just above the audio band are used to transmit from the data from the customer to the
DSLAM. Typical DSL technology allows up to 6 Mbps to be transmitted to the customer and up to 640
kbps can be received from the customer.
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ATM
This figure shows that the Internet is the network of networks and it communicates using the universal
protocol language TCP/IP. This diagram shows a user who is sending email through the Internet. In
this diagram, the application is email. The data from the email is divided into packets and given
sequence number by TCP protocol. The destination address is appended to each packet by the IP layer.
The IP packets are then sent through an Ethernet LAN by encapsulating the IP datagram within the
Ethernet data packet. When the data packet is extracted from the Ethernet, it is placed on the E1
transmission line. When the IP data packet reaches the ATM network, it is subdivided into very small
53 byte data packets that travel through the ATM network. When the ATM packets reach their
destination in the ATM network, the original IP datagram is recreated and transferred via the T1
communication line. The T1 communication line interfaces to another Ethernet data network. This
Ethernet data network encapsulates the IP datagram and forwards it on to the NIC of the receiving
computer. The NIC of the receiving computer removes the IP address and reassembles the IP data
packets to form the original email message.
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For inter-exchange connection, networks as a rule connect to long distance networks through a
separate toll center (tandem switch). In the United States, this toll center is called a point of presence
(POP) connection.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)-A specialized agency of the United Nations
established to maintain and extend international cooperation for the maintenance, development, and
efficient use of telecommunications. The union does this through standards and recommended
regulations, and through technical and telecommunications studies. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the
ITLI is composed of two consultative committees: the International Radio Consultative Committee
(CCIIR) and the Consultative Committee for International Telephony And Telegraphy (CCITT).
Internet Protocol Centrex (IP Centrex)-IP Centrex is the providing of Centrex services to customers
via Internet protocol (IP) connections. IP Centrex allows customer to have and use features that are
typically associated with a private branch exchange (PBX) without the purchase of PBX switching
systems. These features include 3 or 4 digit dialing, intercom features, distinctive line ringing for
inside and outside lines, voice mail waiting indication and others.
Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange (IPBX) or (IP PBX)-A private local telephone system
that uses Internet protocol (IP) to provide telephone service within a building or group of buildings in a
small geographic area. IPBX systems are often local area network (LAN) systems that interconnect IP
telephones. IPBX systems use a IP telephone server to provide for call processing functions and to
control gateways access that allows the IPBX to communicate with the public switched telephone
network and other IPBX's that are part of its network. IPBX systems can provide advanced call
processing features such as speed dialing, call transfer, and voice mail along with integrating computer
telephony applications. Some of the IPBX standards include H.323, MGCP, MEGACO, and SIP.
IP PBX represents the evolution of enterprise telephony from circuit to packet. Traditional PBX
systems are voice-based, whereas their successor is designed for converged applications. IP PBX
supports both voice and data, and potentially a richer feature set. Current IP PBX offerings vary in
their range of features and network configurations, but offer clear advantages over TDM-based PBX,
mainly in terms of reduce Opex (operating expenses).
Internet Protocol Telephony (IP Telephony)-IP telephone systems provide voice or multimedia
communication services through the use Internet protocol (IP) networks. These IP networks initiate,
process, and receive voice or multimedia communications using IP protocol. These IP systems may be
public IP systems (e.g. the Internet), private data systems (e.g. LAN based), or a hybrid of public and
private systems.
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-Internet protocol television (IPTV) is the process of providing
television (video and/or audio) services through the use Internet protocol (IP) networks. These IP
networks initiate, process, and receive voice or multimedia communications using IP protocol. These
IP systems may be public IP systems (e.g. the Internet), private data systems (e.g. LAN based), or a
hybrid of public and private systems.
Internet Telephone (IP Telephone)-A telephone device that is specifically designed to communicate
through the Internet without the need for a voice gateway. Internet telephones contain embedded
software that allows them to initiate and receive calls through the Internet using standard protocols
such as H.323 or SIP.
Leased Line-Leased lines are telecommunication lines or links that have part or all of their
transmission capacity dedicated (reserved) for the exclusive use of a single customer or company.
Leased lines often come with a guaranteed level of performance for connections between two points.
Light Energy Converter (LEC)-A photo-votalic semiconductor device that converts light energy into
electrical energy.
Local Area Network (LAN)-Local area networks (LANs) are private data communication networks
that use high-speed digital communications channels for the interconnection of computers and related
equipment in a limited geographic area. LANs can use fiber optic, coaxial, twisted-pair cables, or radio
transceivers to transmit and receive data signals. LAN's are networks of computers, normally personal
computers, connected together in close proximity (office setting) to each other in order to share
information and resources. The two predominant LAN architectures are token ring and Ethernet. Other
LAN technologies are ArcNet, AppleTalk, and fiber distributed data interface (FDDI).
Local Loop-The local loop is the connection (wireless or wired) between a customer's telephone or
data equipment and a local exchange company (LEC) or other telephone service provider.
Traditionally, the local loop (also called "outside plant") has been composed of copper wires that
extend from the end office (EO) switch. The EO is the last switching office in the telephone network
that connects customers to the telephone network.
Long Distance-Services charged at a toll rate, or services offered by interexchange companies for
traffic that crosses LATAs (InterLATA). (See also: long-haul communications, toll.)
Media Gateway (MG)-A network component which converts one media stream to another. In IP
telephony this most commonly refers to a device which converts IP streams (such as audio) to the
TDM or analog equivalent. A media gateway may interact with call controllers, proxies, and
softswitches via proprietary or standard protocols such as MGCP, Megaco (H.248) , and SIP.
There are two main types: Access gateways provide regular analog or primary rate (PRI) interfaces to a
voice-over-packet (VoP) network. The inverse function is also available in VoB (voice over broadband)
applications: calls are encoded digitally before entering the access network and are routed via
conventional telephony once inside. Trunking gateways interface directly between the telephone
network and a voice over packet (VoP) network in the core. Such gateways typically manage large
numbers of digital virtual circuits.
Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)-MGCP is a control protocol that uses text or binary
format messages to setup, manage, and terminate multimedia communication sessions in a centralized
communications system. This differs from other multimedia control protocol systems (such as H.323
or SIP) that allow the end points in the network to control the communication session. MGCP is
specified in RFC 2705 and it was first drafted in 1998. MGCP forms the basis of the PacketCable NCS
protocol.
Optical Network-Optical networks are a series of points that are interconnected by optical
communications channels or systems. Optical networks are either common to all users or privately
leased by a customer for some specific application.
Optical Switching-Optical switching is the process of directly connecting optical signals between
multiple ports or time periods on an optical communication line without the need to convert the optical
signals to electrical form.
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)-Plain old telephone service is the providing of basic telephone
service without any enhanced features. It is the common term for ordinary residential telephone
service. The POTS system uses in-band signaling tones and currents to determine call status (e.g. call
request). Because POTS allow for the transfer of audio signals below 3.3 kHz, POTS systems are also
used for modems that allow data transmission (called dial up connection). Whenever a new service or
feature is described, the author may refer to the previous available package of features and services as
POTS, even when the previous package included several very sophisticated capabilities.
Point Of Presence (POP)-A physical location that allows an interexchange carrier (IXC) to connect to
a local exchange company (LEC) within a LATA. The point of presence (POP) equipment is usually
located in a building that houses switching and/or transmission equipment for the LEC.
Post, Telephone And Telegraph (PTT)-A term used for a government agency in many countries that
supplies and maintains the infrastructure and provides basic telecommunication services.
Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX)-A telephone switch that is generally located on a
customer premise. Often referred to as a PBX, CBX, EPABX. This provides for the transmission of
calls internally as well as to and from the public network.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX)-PBX systems are private local telephone systems that are used to
provide telephone service within a building or group of buildings in a small geographic area. PBX
systems contain small switches and advanced call processing features such as speed dialing, call
transfer, and voice mail. PBX systems connect local telephones ("stations") with each other and to the
public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Private Telephone System-Private telephone systems are independent telephone systems that are
owned or leased by a company or individual. Private telephone networks include key telephone
systems (KTS), private branch exchange (PBX) and computer telephone integration (CTI).
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)-Public switched telephone networks are
communication systems that are available for public to allow users to interconnect communication
devices. Public telephone networks within countries and regions are standard integrated systems of
transmission and switching facilities, signaling processors, and associated operations support systems
that allow communication devices to communicate with each other when they operate.
Remote Digital Terminal (RDT)-The RDT provides an interface between a high speed digital
transmission line (e.g. DS1) and the customer's access line. The RDT can dynamically assign time
slots from a high speed line to customer access lines. Because customer access lines are not used at the
same time, an RDT that interfaces to a DS1 line usually provides service to 96 customer access lines.
The RDT is divided into three major parts; digital transmission facility interface, common system
interface and line interface. The digital transmission interface terminates the high speed line and
coordinates the signaling. The common system interface performs the multiplexing/de-multiplexing,
signaling insertion and extraction. The line interface contains digital to analog conversions (if the
access line is analog) or digital formatting (if the line is digital).
Service Switching Point (SSP)-In an Intelligent Network (IN), a stored-program controlled switching
system that has the functional capability to differentiate intelligent network calls and interact with
service control points (SCPs). SCP databases are accessed by the SSP in providing database query
oriented services such as the 800 Data Base Service and Alternate Billing Services. (See also:
Intelligent Network). SSP is an IN term for the Class 4/5 Switch that have SS7 capabilities. The SSP
has an open interface to the IN for switching signaling, control and handoff.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-SIP is an application layer protocol that uses text format messages
to setup, manage, and terminate multimedia communication sessions. SIP is a simplified version of the
ITU H.323 packet multimedia system. SIP is defined in RFC 2543.
Signaling System 7 (SS7)-The signaling system #7 (SS7) is an international standard network
signaling protocol that allows common channel (independent) signaling for call-establishment, billing,
routing, and information-exchange between nodes in the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
SS7 system protocols are optimized for telephone system control connections and they are only
directly accessible to telephone network operators.
Common channel signaling (CCS) is a separate signaling system that separates content of telephone
calls from the information used to set up the call (signaling information). When call-processing
information is separated from the communication channel, it is called "out-of-band" signaling. This
signaling method uses one of the channels on a multi-channel network for the control, accounting, and
management of traffic on all of the channels of the network.
An SS7 network is composed of service switching points (SSPs), signaling transfer points (STPs), and
service control points (SCPs). The SSP gathers the analog signaling information from the local line in
the network (end point) and converts the information into an SS7 message. These messages are
transferred into the SS7 network to STPs that transfer the packet closer to its destination. When special
processing of the message is required (such as rerouting a call to a call forwarding number), the STP
routes the message to a SCP. The SCP is a database that can use the incoming message to determine
other numbers and features that are associated with this particular call.
In the SS7 protocol, an address, such as customer-dialed digits, does not contain explicit information to
enable routing in a signaling network. It then will require the signaling connection control part (SCCP)
translation function. This is a process in the SS7 system that uses a routing tables to convert an address
(usually a telephone number) into the actual destination address (forwarding telephone number) or into
the address of a service control point (database) that contains the customer data needed to process a
call.
Intelligence in the network can be distributed to databases and information processing points
throughout the network because the network uses common channel signaling A set of service
development tools has been developed to allow companies to offer advanced intelligent network (AIN)
services
Signaling Transfer Point (STP)-A signaling switch used in the SS7 common channel signaling
network. These transfer points are used to route signaling messages (packets) to other signaling
transfer points or network parts.
Stream Control Transport Protocol (SCTP)-A protocol that is used to coordinate the sending of
signaling information over real time communication sessions. SCTP is defined in RFC 2960.
Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS)-A high-speed data transmission service that is often
used in metropolitan areas that allows for the dynamic creation and disconnection of virtual circuits
through the network. It is based on the 802.6 standard and may use T1 and T3 circuits to provide
Ethernet, Token Ring, and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) interconnection services.
Switching-Switching is the process of connecting two (or more) points together. Switching may
involve a single physical connection (such as a light switch) or it may involve the setup of multiple
connections within a network through several communication devices.
Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL)-An all-digital transmission technology that is used on
a single pair of copper wires that can deliver near T1 or E1 data transmission speeds. SDSL is a
symmetrical service that ranges from 160 kbps to 2.3 Mbps and can reach to 18000 feet from the
central switching office.
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)-Synchronous digital hierarchy is a digital transmission format
that is used in optical (fiber) networks to transport high-speed data signals. SDH uses standard data
transfer rates and defined frame structures formats in a synchronous (sequential) format. SDH is
similar to SONET.
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET)-Synchronous optical network is a digital transmission
format that is used in optical (fiber) networks to transport high-speed data signals. SONET uses
standard data transfer rates and defined frame structures formats in a synchronous (sequential) format.
Tandem-(1-general) The connection of the output terminals of one network, circuit, or link directly to
the input terminals of another. (2-message network) A switching system that establishes trunk-trunk
connections but has no subscriber lines connected to it. Tandem types include local tandems, LATA
tandems, and access tandems.
Telecommunication-The transmission and reception of audio, video, data, and other intelligence by
wire, radio, light, and other electronic or electromagnetic system.
Ultra Broadband-Ultra broadband is a term that is commonly associated with very high-speed data
transfer connections. When applied to consumer access networks, ultra broadband often refers to data
transmission rates of 10 Mbps or higher.
Voice Mail (VM)-A service that provides a telephone customer with an electronic storage mailbox that
can answer and store incoming voice messages. Voice mail systems use interactive voice response
(IVR) technology to prompt callers and customers through the options available from voice mailbox
systems. Voice mail systems offer advanced features not available from standard answering machines
including message forwarding to other mailboxes, time of day recording and routing, special
announcements and other features.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-A process of sending voice telephone signals over the Internet
or other data network. If the telephone signal is in analog form (voice or fax) the signal is first
converted to a digital form. Packet routing information is then added to the digital voice signal so it
can be routed through the Internet or data network.
X.25-An international standard for communications with a packet data switching network. The X.25
standard specifies the protocol between the data device (such as a computer) and the network (such as
a public packet data network).
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