User guide

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Glossary
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. MultiVOIP User Guide
Signaling: The process of establishing, maintaining, accounting for, and terminating a connection between two endpoints (e.g., the
user premises and the telco CO). Central office signals to the user premises can include ringing, dial tone, speech signals, etc.
Signals from the user's phone can include off-hook, dialing, speech to far-end party, and on-hook signals.
In-band signaling techniques include pulse and tone dialing. With common channel signaling, information is carried out-of-band.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP): TCP/IP protocol that allows network management.
Simultaneous Voice Data (SVD): A technology for letting a user send data via a modem, and use a handset to talk to another
user at the same time over the same connection. The alternative, making a second call, can be expensive or even impossible. The
uses for SVD are telecommuting, videoconferencing, distant learning, tech support, etc.
Stop Bit: One of the variables used for timing in asynchronous data transmission. Depending on the devices, each character may
be trailed by 1, 1.5, or 2 stop bits.
Subscriber Loop: See "Local loop".
Switched 56: A circuit-switched (full duplex digital synchronous data transmission) service that lets you dial a number and transmit
data to it at 56K bps. It is a relatively low cost service, widely used in North America for telecommuting, videoconferencing and high
speed data transfers. Many phone companies are (or will be) phasing out Switched 56 in favor of ISDN service.
Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC): A type of data transmission where the connection is maintained only until the call is cleared.
Switched Line: In communications, a physical channel established by dynamically connecting one or more discreet segments.
This connection lasts for the duration of the call after which each segment can be used as part of a different channel. Contrast with
leased line.
Switched Network: A network in which a temporary connection is established from one point via one or more segments.
Synchronous Transmission: The transmission of data which involves sending a group of characters in a packet. This is a
common method of transmission between computers on a network or between modems. One or more synchronous characters are
transmitted to confirm clocking before each packet of data is transmitted. Compare to Asynchronous Transmission.
Systems Network Architecture (SNA): The description of the logical structure, formats, protocols, and operational sequences for
transmitting information units through, and controlling the configuration and operation of , networks.
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Tariff: The rate/availability schedule for telephone and ISDN services from a regulated service provider.
TCP/IP: A set of communication protocols that support peer-to-peer connectivity functions for both local and wide area networks.
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Program (TCP/IP): A multilayer set of protocols developed by the US Department of
Defense to link dissimilar computers across dissimilar and unreliable LANs.
Terminal: The screen and keyboard device used in a mainframe environment for interactive data entry. Terminals have no "box",
which is to say they have no file storage or processing capabilities.
Tie line: A dedicated circuit linking two points without having to dial a phone number (i.e., the line can be accessed by lifting the
phone handset or by pushing a button).
Toll Call: A call to a location outside of your local service area (i.e., a long distance call).
Tone dialing: One of two methods of dialing a phone, usually associated with Touch-Tone® (push button) phones. Compare with
pulse dialing.
Topology: Physical layout of network components (cables, stations, gateways, and hubs). Three basic interconnection topologies
are star, ring, and bus networks.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): A communications protocol used in Internet and in any network that follows the US
Department of Defense standards for internetwork protocol. TCP provides a reliable host-to-host protocol between hosts in packet-
switched communications networks and in interconnected systems of such networks. It assumes that the Internet protocol is the
underlying protocol.
Trunk: Transmission links that interconnect switching offices.
Tunneling: Encapsulation data in an IP packet for transport across the Internet.
Twisted pair wiring: A type of cabling with one or more pairs of insulated wires wrapped around each other. An inexpensive wiring
method used for LAN and telephone applications, also called UTP wiring.