Glossary of IP communications

A

ASP (Application service provider)

A company offering individuals or businesses access over the Internet to application programs and related services that would otherwise have to be located on their own computers.

Audio and video streaming

Playing audio and video content as it is downloaded from the Internet, rather than downloading it to a computer first. Streaming is accomplished by way of web browser plug-ins, which decompress and play the file in real time.

B

Backbone

A large transmission line that carries data gathered from smaller lines that interconnect with it. ...More information

Bandwidth

The amount of information or data that can be sent over a network connection in a given period of time. Usually stated in megabits per second (mps).

C

Caching

A small fast memory holding recently accessed data, designed to speed up subsequent access to the same data. Most often applied to processor-memory access but also used for a local copy of data accessible over a network etc.

CallManager cluster

A CallManager cluster provides a mechanism for seamlessly distributing call processing across the infrastructure of a converged IP network. Clustering facilitates redundancy, provides transparent sharing of resources and features, and enables system scalability.

Carrier

A company that owns fibre, used to provide voice and data circuits to customers, and leased to other companies to provide voice and data services.

CAT 5E/6

ANSI/EIA (American National Standards Institute/Electronic Industries Association) Network cabling specification... More information

CDR (Call-detail record)

A record containing data unique to a specific call. In voice over IP (VoIP) a CDR is a file containing information about recent system use e.g. points of origin, endpoints, call length, call charge, total call time, free time remaining, and running total of charges. In a telephone exchange, a CDR contains information about all the calls passing through the exchange.

CODEC (Coder / decoder)

A hardware circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion.

CODEC (Compression / decompression)

Software or hardware that compresses and decompresses audio and video data streams.

Co-location

The provision of space for a customer's telecoms equipment on the service provider's premises. For example, a Web site owner could place the site's own computer server on the premises of the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Or an ISP could place its network router on the premises of the company offering switching services with other ISPs.

Communications gateway

A device that connects two computer networks that use different protocols. It translates between protocols so that computers on the connected networks can exchange data.

Content delivery providers

A common content delivery approach involves the placement of cache servers at major Internet access points around the world and the use of a special routing code that redirects a web page request (technically, a Hypertext Transfer Protocol - HTTP - request) to the closest server. When the web user clicks on a URL that is content-delivery enabled, the content delivery network re-routes that user’s request away from the site’s originating server to a cache server closer to the user. The cache server determines what content in the request exists in the cache, serves that content, and retrieves any non-cached content from the originating server. Any new content is also cached locally.

Content provider

An organisation or individual that offers information, education, or entertainment information or conducts business on the Internet. A Content Provider gains access to the Internet via one or more Internet Service Provider (ISP) and therefore does not sell Internet access.

COS (Class of service)

AF/EF/Standard - Class of Service (CoS) is a way of grouping network traffic by type (e.g. large files, voice, email, video, etc) and assigning rights and privileges to each traffic type to determine their priority in the delivery process.

CTI (Computer telephony interface)

CTI provides a link between telephone systems and computers to automate the management of incoming and outgoing calls.

D

Data centre

A data centre is a facility used for housing a large amount of electronic equipment, typically computers and communications equipment.

Disaster recovery

The process of returning your systems to their previous state with full access to all services and data previously available, following a major interruption such as a fire, flood or other failure of your computer and communications systems.
Details of SAS disaster recovery services

E

EFM

Ethernet in the First Mile. This will allow companies to attain higher bandwidth at a much lower cost than with a 2MB lease line connection. There have been issues with no SDSL access into the MPLS core for many carriers. The impact has been that many companies have chosen non-MPLS products for their WAN owing to the high cost of lease line access. EFM should address this – but in the UK only.

EIM

Enterprise instant messaging is an IM service that runs on private IM servers within an organization, using platforms such as Microsoft’s Live Communications Server or Office Communications Server 2007.

Ethernet

The most widely-installed local area network (LAN) technology.
... More information

Extranet

A private network that uses Internet protocol and the public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. ... More information

F

Facilities management

Often used to describe companies providing outsourcing solutions to multiple clients.

Fibre/fibre optic

Fibre optic (or "optical fibre") refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light impulses along a glass or plastic wire or fibre. Fibre optic wire carries much more information than conventional copper wire and is far less subject to electromagnetic interference.

Firewall

A set of related security programs, located at a network gateway server, that protect the resources of a private network from users from other networks. ... More information
Details of our Firewall products

Flood wiring

To distribute wiring around a building to cover not only the immediate requirements but to future proof the installation for later moves.

FoIP

Fax over Internet Protocol is a method for sending fax transmissions over an IP network.

 

G

Gigabit Ethernet

A transmission technology based on the Ethernet frame format and protocol used in local area networks (LANs), providing a data rate of 1 billion bits per second (one gigabit) and carried primarily on optical fibre. Gigabit Ethernet is currently being used as the backbone in many enterprise networks.

H

H.323

This is a set of standard protocols used to establish sessions for voice communications and video conferencing over an IP network; it’s the primary competitor to SIP.

HDS (Historical data server)

 

 

Hosted services

This refers to a service provider that delivers traditional IT services such as e-mail, IM, and UC to an organization over the Internet from a remote location, as opposed to the organization running its own servers on site.

I

IMAP (Internet message access protocol)

A standard protocol for accessing e-mail from your local server. ... More information

Internet

A worldwide system of computer 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) ... More information

Internet business xchange

A data centre that connects with multiple carriers.

IE (Internet exchange)

A junction or ‘meeting point’ for major Internet service providers to exchange traffic across their networks.

IM

Instant messaging is a means for exchanging text-based messages in real time over the Internet via computers or handheld devices. Modern IM services also provide VoIP and video conferencing, file transfer, and desktop/application sharing.

Intranet

A private network contained within an enterprise. The main purpose of an intranet is to share company information and computing resources among employees.
... More information

IP (Internet protocol)

Lowest level communications protocol upon which the Internet is based. IP enables a packet of information to travel through multiple networks to get to its ultimate destination.

IP PBX

This is a telephone switching system within a private organization that typically works with both VoIP and traditional telephone lines.

IPT (IP telephony)

IP telephony allows voice, data and video communications to be routed over IP based networks including LANs, WANs and the Internet.
Details of our IP Telephony services

IPC (IP communications)

A general term for the convergence of voice, data and video communications

IP convergence

The integration of voice and data systems using the Internet protocol, enabling users to seamlessly combine voice, email, messaging, network access, and multimedia access using WAN, LAN, and wireless technology on a wide variety of devices.

IP phone

A phone that carries voice over a network using IP data packets instead of circuit-switched connections.

ISP (Internet service provider)

A business that delivers access to the Internet, usually for a monthly fee or any business that provides Internet services such as web sites or web site development.

IVR (Interactive voice response)

A computerised system that allows a person, typically a telephone caller, to select an option from a voice menu and otherwise interface with a computer system.

IVR (Intelligent voice routing)

Business continuity technology that enables incoming voice traffic to be redirected in real time to fixed line or mobile devices anywhere in the world.

IVR (Interactive voice recognition)

Interactive voice recognition uses voice and touch tone keypad inputs to generate a ranges of automated responses including voice, email and call back.

J

Java

Java is a programming language designed for the developing applications for the Internet and other distributed systems environments.

Jitter

This is undesirable variation in a signal that, in the context of VoIP and video communications, causes interference in the transmission.

K

KTS (Key telephone system)

An in-house phone system that is not connected to a central PBX.

L

Last mile

The connection between the customer and the telephone company, also referred to as the ‘local loop’. The last mile is made of copper-based wire.

LAN (Local area network)

A group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line ... More information
Details of our LAN infrastructure services

Latency

This is the time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one application to another, including both time in transit across the network and the time required to prepare and process the data at the sending and receiving computers.

Local loop

The connection between the customer and the telephone company, also referred to as the ‘last mile’. Local loops use copper-based wire.

Long haul/long distance

Refers to crossing states or countries.

M

Messaging

The creation, storage, exchange, and management of text, images, voice, telex, fax, e-mail, paging, and electronic data interchange (EDI) over a communications network.

In programming, messaging is the exchange of messages (specially-formatted data describing events, requests, and replies) to a messaging server, which acts as a message exchange program for client programs.

Metropolitan area network (MAN)

A network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN). The term is applied to the interconnection of networks in a city into a single larger network (which may then also offer efficient connection to a wide area network). It is also used to mean the interconnection of several local area networks by bridging them with backbone lines.

MIM

Mobile instant messaging is a presence and IM service for mobile devices.

Mobile working

The ability to maintain full access to corporate data and services while on the move, using mobile telephones, PDAs and laptops over an IP based network system.
Information on our mobility services

Mobility

This describes the use and integration of handheld devices such as wireless PDAs and smart phones into an organization’s communications system.

MoIP

Mobile communications over IP is a native mobile application that includes chat and voice over an IP network using 3G, GPRS, Wi-Fi, etc.

Multi-homed

The ability to connect to two or more IP networks.

Multiplexing equipment

A piece of telephone equipment which combines the data stream of several leased lines for transmission over a single higher bandwidth leased line. Multiplexors are used in the construction of WANs.

N

Network

A series of points or nodes interconnected by communication paths.
... More information

NAP (Network access points)

One of several major Internet interconnection points that serve to tie all the Internet access providers together. The NAPs provide major switching facilities that serve the public in general.

NPN (New public network)

The NPN is the manifestation of the trend toward network convergence - the efficient and cost-effective transport and management of voice, data, and video. The NPN encompasses the greater Internet and those companies that base their business on the Internet.

O

P

Packet

A unit of data that is routed between an origin and a destination on the Internet or any other packet-switched network. ... More information

Peering

The practice of exchanging Internet traffic with peer networks.

POE (Power over Ethernet)

The process of using the same network cable which transfers data to also carry sufficient electrical power to operate devices connected to it.

POP3 (Post office protocol 3)

A client/server protocol in which e-mail is received and held for you by your Internet server. ... More information

POTS (Plain old telephone service)

 

Presence

Probably one of the most misunderstood concepts in UC, presence refers to the ability of the UC system to determine where users are and what their status is at any given time, making it easier for them to receive communications (phone calls, e-mail messages, instant messages, faxes) in accordance with their wishes.

Private peering

Private agreements between ISPs to interconnect directly via dedicated circuits.

Q

QoS (Quality of service)

Quality of service is a method for prioritizing protocols, applications, or users to maintain a desired level of performance in terms of the flow of data over the network.

R

Rack

A frame or a cabinet without doors and sides.

RTP (Real-time transport protocol)

The Real-time Transport Protocol is an Internet standard defined by RFC 3550 that delivers audio and video packets over an IP network.

Redundancy

The ability of a system to continue operating in the event of component failure.

Remote access

The ability to get access to a computer or a network from a remote location.
... More information

Router

A hardware device that acts as a gateway between two or more networks. Routers, which are actually types of computers (though their software is also called a router), are designed to understand the various protocols the respective networks use - a LAN may run on Ethernet, while the Internet runs on TCP/IP - and to translate as necessary to route packets back and forth between the networks.

S

SAS managed network services

A range of network management and support services provided by the SAS Group of Companies.

SAS managed services

A collection of managed services provided by the SAS Group, including managed communications, managed networks and managed support.

Scalability

Term which typically refers to a computer, product or system’s ability to expand to support a larger volume of users or data without significant additional expense or overhead.

SCCP (Skinny client control protocol)

Security penetration testing

The process of probing a network for vulnerabilities and insecurities which would enable a person with malicious intent to steal or compromise your data or otherwise disrupt your operations. The probing is sometimes referred to as “white hat hacking”.
Details of our security penetration testing services

Server

A host computer on a network that holds information and responds to requests for information from it

Server farm

A group of computers acting as servers and housed together in a single location. Server farms are usually facilities where a company can house its own servers, and are usually owned and run by that company. A web server farm is either a web site that has more than one server, or a company providing web-hosting services using multiple servers.

SIMPLE

SIP for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions is an open standard protocol for exchanging instant messages and presence information.

SIP (Session initiation protocol)

The Session Initiation Protocol is an Internet standard defined by RFC 3261 used for session establishment and teardown for voice communications and video conferencing over an IP network. (See also H.323.)

SMS

The Short Message Service is a protocol used to exchange short text messages (up to 160 characters, depending on bit size) via mobile phones.

SMTP (Simple mail transfer protocol)

SMTP is a TCP/IP protocol used in sending and receiving e-mail. ... More information

Soft phone

This is a software application for making and receiving telephone calls on a computer using VoIP. In contrast to a “hard” dedicated IP telephone device, a soft phone provides an interface for dialing and generally works through the computer’s sound card and microphone.

SRTP

The Secure Real-time Transport Protocol is a method for providing encryption and authentication to data transmitted via RTP.

Status

When used in conjunction with presence, status refers to whether a user is available, busy, offline, etc. to let other users and the UC system itself know how to handle the user’s messages.

Structured wiring

A flexible system to enable the transfer of both voice and data conveniently and easily

Switches

A network device that selects a path or circuit for sending a unit of data to its next destination

Switch fabric

The internal connectivity architecture used by a switching device that redirects the data coming in on one of its ports out to another of its ports. Can also mean the combination of interconnected switches used within a facility that collectively provide a routing infrastructure.

T

TAPI (Telephony application programming interface)

Functions to allow Windows applications to interface with telephones and other line devices such as modems.

TCP/IP (Transmission control protocol/internet protocol)

TDM (Time division multiplexer)

TDM combines multiple signals and sends them down one line or channel.

Telehousing

Widely used to describe independent facilities management centre for telecoms, as opposed to those that are carrier-owned.

Telepresence

This describes technologies that provide the effect of being present in one location when a person is physically at a different location.

Transit

Form of traffic exchange between two networks where one network will use the other to transmit IP packets to their final destination.

Transmission

Sending data over a communications line

U

Unified messaging

This is a means of storing different types of messages (voice mail, e-mail, faxes, etc.) in the same message store and making them accessible to the user from the same mailbox, which is accessible from different devices and applications (e.g., from an e-mail client program on the desktop or laptop computer, from a Web interface on a public computer, from a handheld device, or from a regular telephone).

UMC

Unified messaging centre

V

Videoconferencing

This is the use of audio and video technologies to enable two or more people in remote locations to communicate together via computers in a virtual meeting.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol is how voice telephone calls transmit across an IP network as an alternative to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

VoIM

Voice over Instant Messaging refers to applications that allow voice communications along with text-based IM messages.

VoWLAN

Voice over Wireless Local Area Network refers to the transmission of VoIP signals using Wi-Fi (802.11) networking instead of wired Ethernet.

VPN (Virtual private network)

A private data network that makes use of the public telecommunication infrastructure, ... More information

Voice web

An audible version of the web that links the telephone network with the web, and allows access to the internet from phone handsets using speech commands.

Voice mail:

A method for answering multiple incoming telephone lines and storing messages for multiple persons via a computerized system. Integrated voice mail systems can forward phone messages to an e-mail inbox as audio attachments that users can retrieve and play on their computer or handheld device.

Voice web

An audible version of the web that links the telephone network with the web, and allows access to the internet from phone handsets using speech commands.

 

W

WAN (Wide area network)

A geographically dispersed communications network often connecting multiple local area networks. A wide area network may be privately owned or rented.
Details of our WAN infrastructure services

WAP (Wireless application protocol)

A protocol developed to support the transmission of internet content to mobile phones.

Wireless VoIP

This takes VoIP a stage further by allowing mobile access to the network.

X

XML (Extensible markup language)

XML is used to create a common data format for exchanging information on the Internet, intranets and via other IP networks. XML is also used to display information on Cisco IP phones.

Y

Z