User guide

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Glossary
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. MultiVOIP User Guide
Multithreading: The ability of a software system to be able to handle more than one transaction concurrently. This is contrasted to
the case where a single transaction is accepted and completely processed before the next transaction processing is started.
N
NAK (Negative Acknowledgment): Communications code used to indicate that a message was not properly received, or that a
terminal does not wish to transmit. Contrast with ACK.
Network: A group of computers connected by cables or other means and using software that enables them to share equipment,
such as printers and disk drives to exchange information.
Node: Any point within a network which has been assigned an address.
O
Object-Orientated: A method for structuring programs as hierarchically organized classes describing the data and operations of
objects that can interact with other objects.
Off-hook: The condition of a device which has accessed a phone line (with or without using the line). In modem use, this is
equivalent to a phone handset being picked up. Dialing and transmission are allowed, but incoming calls are not answered. Contrast
"on-hook".
Off Premise Extension (OPX): An extension or phone that terminates in a location other than that of the PBX. Commonly used to
provide a corporate member with an extension of the PBX at home.
On-Hook: The condition of a device which has not accessed a phone line. In modem use, this is equivalent to a phone handset
that has not been picked up. In other words, it can receive an incoming call. Contrast "off-hook".
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF): A hierarchical Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) routing algorithm for IP that is a proposed
standard for Internet. OSPF incorporates least-cost routing, equal-cost routing, and load balancing.
Outage: The measure of the time during which a circuit is not available for use due to service interrupt. Outage is the complement
of circuit "availability" (100% minus % available = % outage).
Out-of-band: Signaling that is separated from the channel carrying the information (i.e., the voice/data/video signal is separate
from the carrier signal). Dialing and various other "supervisory" signals are included in the signaling element. Contrast "In-band"
signaling.
Out of Frame (OOF): A T1 alarm condition that is logged on the loss of 2, 3 or 4 of 5 consecutive FT framing bits.
P
Packet: 1. In data communication, a sequence of binary digits, including data and control signals, that is transmitted and switched
as a composite whole. The data, control signals and, possibly, error control information are arranged in a specific format. 2.
Synonymous with data frame. 3. In TCP/IP, the unit of data passed across the interface between the Internet layer and the link
layer. A packet includes an IP header and data. A packet can be a complete IP datagram or a fragment of an IP diagram. 4. In X.25,
a data transmission information unit. A group of data and control characters, transferred as a unit, determined by the process of
transmission. Commonly used data field lengths in packets are 128 or 256 bytes. 5. The field structure and format defined in the
CCITT X.25 recommendation.
Packet Data: The information format ("packetized") used for packet-mode calls.
Packet Mode: Refers to the switching of chunks of information for different users using statistical multiplexing to send them over
the same transmission facility.
Parity bit: An extra bit attached to each byte of synchronous data used to detect errors in transmission.
Physical Unit (PU): The component that manages and monitors the resources (such as attached links and adjacent link stations)
associated with a node, as requested by an SSCP via an SSCP-PU session. An SSCP activates a session with the physical unit in
order to indirectly manage, through the PU, resources of the node such as attached links. This term applies to type 2.0, type 4, and
type 5 nodes only.
Point of Presence (POP): The central office's end points of the long distance carriers.
Point to Point Protocol (PPP): A protocol that lets a PC user access TCP/IP (Internet member) using an ISDN terminal adapter
or a high-speed modem over a standard phone line.
Port: A location for input or output data exchange. Computers, muxes, etc. have ports for various purposes.
Primitive: An abstract representation of interaction across the access points indicating that information is being passed between
the service user and the service provider. The OSI Reference Model defines four types of primitives: Request, Indication, Response
and Confirm.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX): A phone exchange located on the customer's premises. The PBX provides a circuit switching
facility for phone extension lines within the building, and access to the public phone network. See also "Exchange".