Jargon Buster G-M

The field of communications and IT is littered by an ever growing number of technical terms and confusing jargon. At Connexis we try and talk to our customers in a practical way that helps you understand the benefits of implementing new technologies. We hope that our Jargon Buster helps if you have trouble with the terms or acronyms that you may come across.

We will do our best to update this area on a regular basis, but if there is anything you still don't understand or need help with, please do not hesitate to call us on 01952 528000 or contact us by email at jargon@connexis.co.uk.

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Gateway - a hardware or software set up that translates between two dissimilar protocols, for example AOL has a gateway that translates between its internal, proprietary email format and Internet email format. Another meaning is to describe any mechanism for providing access to another system.

Group Ringing - a group of extensions is rung by dialling a number. The group may be set as a ring group, in which case all of the extensions ring together, or it may be set as a Hunt Group, in which case the system will find a free extension in the group to take the call.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) – a widely used digital mobile phone standard.

GUI (Graphical User Interface) - a program interface, such as Microsoft Windows, that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages. A GUI will usually feature basic components such as a pointing device (mouse or trackball) to allow you to select objects, icons (small pictures) that represent commands, a desktop area, where icons are grouped, and a menu for the user to select a command from.

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Hotspot - an area in which an access point provides public wireless broadband network services to users through a wireless LAN, or Wi-Fi. Hotspots are often located in places with high footfall such as airports, hotels, coffee shops, libraries and convention centres.

Hunt Groups - a means of finding a free extension to take a call. Calls are directed to a Hunt Group and will search for a free extension to take the call and various hunting types can be available.

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I I I

IP (Internet Protocol) - access to standard global communications protocol.

IP Address - a series of characters that uniquely identifies the terminal equipment which is the origin or destination of data being transmitted.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) - allows you to connect to the Internet.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - an internationally agreed method of providing digital communication over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

ISDN2 - an ISDN circuit providing 2 x 64 kbit/sec bearer channels for use by data or speech and one 16 kbit/sec control channel. Two independent calls can be carried at the same time on one BRI circuit.

ISDN30 - an ISDN circuit providing (in Europe) up to 30 x 64 kbit/sec bearer channels for use by data or speech and two 16 kbit/sec control channels. Up to 30 independent calls can be carried at the same time on one Primary Rate.

IVR (Interactive Voice Response) - IVR systems automate routine transactions, such as requests for literature or information by using voice recognition or pone keypad operations.

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J J J

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Keysystem - a telephone system designed for all extensions to be able to answer incoming calls.

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LAN (Local Area Network) - a LAN is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link and, typically, share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area.

Last mile - a term used for any telecommunications technology that carries signals along the short distance between the main public telecommunications network and the home or business premise i.e. the infrastructure at the neighbourhood level, or local loop. The actual distance of the "last mile" can vary.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) - a display panel found on many phones capable of showing text prompts or messages.

LCR (Least Cost Routing) - a technique where the telephone system modifies the digits dialled by a user making an outside call in order to route the call via a low-cost carrier. Typically the routing decision is based on what number has been dialled and it is often possible to have several carriers configured on the same telephone system to take advantage of the cheapest route to any destination.

Leased line - a permanent dedicated, direct connection leased by an end user from a telecommunications provider. Leased lines are often used by businesses to connect geographically distant offices.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) - a semi-conductor device used as an indicator lamp. Typically these are incorporated into buttons allowing visual indication of calls, voicemail messages and status of other lines and extensions.

LLU (Local Loop Unbundling) – when an operator co-locates DSLAM equipment in the telephone exchange, in order to offer broadband to end users in competition to the incumbent. The LLU operator determines the price and speed of the broadband connection offered over the unbundled telephone line.

Local loop - the connection between an individual subscriber's telephone or data connection to the public network operator's central exchange or other local terminating point. It is sometimes referred to as the "last mile".

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Mailbox - a reference to the location where voicemail messages for a particular user are stored.

MAPI (Microsoft Application Protocol Interface) - protocol designed to ensure all Microsoft applications can communicate with other applications in a standard and documented format.

MPD (Meter Pulse Detection) - a BT service for their analogue lines, to allow a subscriber to accurately establish the charge of a telephone call. To a subscriber, it was a Meter Pulse received by monitoring equipment down their telephone line. To BT, it was a Charge Unit recorded on the subscriber's meter in the local BT exchange.

MSN (Multiple Subscriber Numbering) - an optional feature of ISDN2 lines allowing up to 10 telephone numbers to be assigned to a single line so that devices connected to that line can be called individually that can be used to produce a limited version of DDI.

Music on Hold - an audio signal that is played to a caller on hold to reassure him that he has not been cut off. Typically this is music which may be interspersed with advertising messages or could be simply a reassuring beep played every few seconds.

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