Inside Info
Gigabits & Bytes
All a bit confusing?
We've introduced a simple to
understand glossary, so if you're not sure what it all means, check it out
HERE.
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Do you know what is is?
RAM
Random access memory is a type of
computer data storage. Today it takes the form of
integrated circuits that allow the stored
data to be
accessed at
random.
Welcome to XL Media!
ADSL
Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line - ADSL is a technology that transforms a
standard twisted pair of copper wires telephone line into a high-speed
always on, internet connection capable of simultaneously carrying voice and
data. It is termed 'asymmetric' because data moves in one direction faster
than in the other i.e. data is transmitted faster from the exchange to you
rather than from your premises to the exchange.
Bandwidth
The capacity of your internet connection to transmit and receive data.
Bandwidth is usually measured in bits-per-second. Imagine your internet
connection is a pipe, the bigger the pipe, the faster the information will
flow.
Broadband
A generic term for high speed digital internet connections.
Contention Ratio
This describes the maximum number of users sharing the bandwidth on the
connection between your local exchange and the Internet Service Provider.. A
customer with a contention ratio of 20:1 never has to share this bandwidth
with more than 19 other users
IP address
Stands for Internet Protocol address, the host computer assigned to you by
your Internet Service Provider when you make a connection. A static IP
address means your ISP permanently assigns your connection to a particular
host computer. IP addresses are numeric, you may have noticed them
occasionally in the address bar of your browser. For example, 84.92.1.4 is
better known as www.broadband4lhanbryde.co.uk An internet service called DNS
(Domain Name System/Service) translates the request for
www.broadband4lhanbryde.co.uk into the corresponding IP address.
RADSL
Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line - A broadband technology which extends
the outer reach of copperwire DSL from 3.5 km to 5.5 km distant from a
DSL-enabled exchange.
SDSL
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a broadband variant that signifies equal
or near equal bandwidth up and downstream.
ANALOGUE
The varying frequency of amplitude (in wave forms). Analogue
telephone lines are associated with older technology; today customers will
prefer digital lines instead
B-CHANNEL
In the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN ), the B-channel is the
channel that carries the main data. (The "B" stands for "bearer" channel.)
BPS
In data communications, bits per second (abbreviated bps) is a common
measure of data speed for computer modems and transmission carriers. As the
term implies, the speed in bps is equal to the number of bits transmitted or
received each second.
BRA
Basic Rate Access = 2 digital lines (see DASS) It is possible with the BRA
service to use both lines at the same time. Each line can carry up to
64kbits of information hence the overall bandwidth used in this service can
be increased to 128K.
BYTE (see BPS and DIGITAL)
A byte is a string of bits usually 8 bits long
CDR
Caller Dialler Report/ Call Detail Records. This term is used generally
throughout the Telecoms industry (often in reference to Call logging
equipment). It refers to the details of calls made when using telecoms
services. Details include the date and time of the call, the telephone
number called, the duration of the call and ultimately the cost of the call.
(Outgoing calls). CDR’s are also generated for non-geographic services.
CDR
Caller Dialler Report/ Call Detail Records. This term is used generally
throughout the Telecoms industry (often in reference to Call logging
equipment). It refers to the details of calls made when using telecoms
services. Details include the date and time of the call, the telephone
number called, the duration of the call and ultimately the cost of the call.
(Outgoing calls). CDR’s are also generated for non-geographic services.
CIT
Computer Integrated Telephony (see CTI).
CLI
Calling line identifier. (CLI) is information provided by the Network
operator to indicate the telephone number of the calling party. Customers
can withhold their CLI by dialling 141 over the BT network before the
outgoing call.
CPE
Customer premise equipment. This term is used to describe any “hardware”
which the customer currently uses on their premises. i.e. ACD or PBX.
CPS (see also LCR & IDA)
Carrier Pre Select (or Selection) is a service which allows customers to
pre-select a carrier or carriers (other than their Access Operator) to
deliver certain categories of calls and to be billed directly by that
carrier.
CST
Computer Switched Telephony (see CTI).
CTI
Computer-telephony integration, or sometimes simply "computer
telephony," is the use of computers to manage telephone calls. The term is
used in describing the computerised services of call centres such as those
that direct your phone call to the right department at a business you're
calling. It's also sometimes used to describe the ability to use your
personal computer to initiate and manage phone calls (in which case you can
think of your computer as your personal call centre).
DASS
Digital Access Signalling System is a British Telecom proprietary method of
signalling enabling the provision of services over digital.
DDI
Direct Dialling In (DDI) is a service that provides a block of telephone
numbers for calling into a company's private branch exchange (PBX) system.
Using DDI, a company can offer its customers individual phone numbers for
each person or workstation within the company without requiring a physical
line into the PBX for each possible connection.
For example, a company might rent 100 phone numbers from the phone company
that could be called over eight physical telephone lines (these are called
"trunk lines"). This would allow up to eight ongoing calls at a time;
additional inbound calls would get a busy signal until one of the calls
completed or be able to leave a voice mail message. The PBX automatically
switches a call for a given phone number to the appropriate workstation in
the company. A PBX switchboard operator is not involved.
A DDI system can be used for fax and voice mail as well as for live voice
connections. Compared to regular PBX service, DDI saves the cost of a
switchboard operator, calls go through faster, and callers feel they are
calling a person rather than a company.
DMSU
Digital Main Switching Unit - these are major BT exchanges throughout the UK
which form the backbone of the BT network.
DN
Directory Number - the customers number which is publicised as the one to be
rung.
DNS
Domain Name Server - a system which maintains a relationship
between Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domain names. Computers use the
DNS system to electronically transmit data with other computers through the
internet. DNS is actually comprised of a set of database servers which
maintain the relationship between IP addresses and domain names and
facilitate the lookup between the two.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line , is a family of technologies that provide
digital data transmission over the wires used in the "last mile" of a local
telephone network. Typically, the download speed of DSL ranges from 128
kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/s depending on DSL technology
and service level implemented. Upload speed is lower than download speed for
ADSL and symmetrical for SDSL.
DTMF
DTMF (dual tone multi frequency) is the signal to the phone company that you
generate when you press an ordinary telephone's touch keys. It's known as
"Touchtone" phone. DTMF has generally replaced loop disconnect ("pulse")
dialling. With DTMF, each key you press on your phone generates two tones of
specific frequencies.
DX
Digital Exchange
ETHERNET
A standard for connecting computers into a local area network (LAN).
FEATURELINE
A BT product which allows users of the service to have the same
functionality as a switchboard without the need for the actual equipment on
their premises. (services for up to 8 lines) The functionality lies within
the BT network and is accessed via special “Featureline” phone.
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. Most telephone company long-distance lines are
now fibre optic.
Transmission on fibre optic wire requires repeating at distance intervals.
The glass fibre requires more protection within an outer cable than copper.
FPS
Fax Preference Service is where residential customers, sole traders and
partnerships can register on a “do not calls me” list which prevents then
from receiving unsolicited faxes from call centres and telemarketing
agencies.
GNP
Geographic Number Portability means that when a customer moves from one
telecomm supplier to another they do not have to change their number. For
example a customer with a BT telephone number may wish to change over to C&W
customers can change over without losing their “BT” number.
ICSTIS
The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone
Information Services - regulates the content and promotion of premium rate
telephone services.
Web site:-
www.icstis.org.uk.
IDA BARRING
The ability to restrict outgoing calls to Premium Rate, Mobile , and
International destinations.
INTRANET
An intranet is a private network that is contained within an organisation.
It may consist of many interlinked local area networks and also use leased
lines in the Wide Area Network. Typically, an Intranet includes connections
through one or more gateway computers to the outside Internet. The main
purpose of an Intranet is to share company information and computing
resources among employees. An Intranet can also be used to facilitate
working in-groups and for teleconferences.
IP
The Internet Protocol (IP) is the method or protocol by which data is sent
from one computer to another on the Internet. Each computer (known as a
host) on the Internet has at least one IP address that uniquely identifies
it from all other computers on the Internet.
ISDN
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a set of CCITT/ITU standards
for digital transmission over ordinary telephone copper wire as well as over
other media. Home and business users who install an ISDN adapter (in place
of a modem) can see highly-graphic Web pages arriving very quickly (up to
128 Kbps). ISDN requires adapters at both ends of the transmission so your
access provider also needs an ISDN adapter. Typically telephone operators
provide two services ISDN2 (2 channels of 64K) and ISDN30 (30 channels of
64K).
IVR
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is a software application that accepts a
combination of voice telephone input and touch-tone keypad selection and
provides appropriate responses in the form of voice, fax, callback, e-mail
and perhaps other media.
LAN
Local Area Network - A local network used for the transmission of data
between computers often provided with a server.
LAND LINE
An ordinary business or residential telephone line.
LCR
Least Cost Routing provides customers to have their telephone calls routed
via another telecoms network allowing them to save on the cost of outgoing
calls.
LEASED LINE (see Private circuit)
MUX
A Multiplexer. Combines several different signals (e.g. video,
audio, data) onto a single communication channel for transmission.
Demultiplexing separates each signal at the receiving end.
NGN
Non-geographic numbers. I.e. 0800, 0845, 0870, etc.
NTS
Number Translation Services (see NGN).
NU
Number Unobtainable Tone.
OCB
Outgoing calls barred - this number is reserved for incoming calls only and
users cannot make ANY calls out using this line. OCB lines are not
compatible with CPS.
OFTEL (now “Ofcom”)
Office of Telecommunications (the UK regulator) web site
www.oftel.gov.uk
PABX (switchboard)
Private (Automatic) Branch Exchange - this is a premises based telephone
system which allows organisations to handle incoming calls efficiently.
Internal calls are also handled via the PABX.
PBX
Private Branch Exchange (i.e. telephone system) see PABX.
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network - public telephone service based on
circuit switching technology (usually the BT network).
PTO
Public Telecommunications Operator - network operators providing services to
the public with powers granted by the Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984 to enable them to install
their systems on public and private land, property etc.
SDSL
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line- This technology provides the same
bandwidth in both directions, upstream and downstream. That means whether
you're uploading or downloading information, you have the same high-quality
performance.
STD
Standard Telephone Dialling (Code) = Subscriber Trunk Dialling i.e. 0161.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. Set of layered protocols
that enable shared applications among PCs in a high speed communications
environment. TCP/IP software is now included with every major kind of
computer operating system. To be truly on the Internet, your computer must
have TCP/IP software.
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol allows existing Internet connection to be used
for voice transmission. Most organisations have separate networks for voice
and data transmission. These technologies are soon to merge allowing users
to utilise free capacity they have on Internet connections for voice.
VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) is a way to use a public telecommunication
infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or
individual users with secure access to their organisation’s network. A
virtual private network can be contrasted with an expensive system of owned
or leased lines that can only be used by one organisation. The goal of a VPN
is to provide the organisation with the same capabilities, but at a much
lower cost.
WAN
Wide Area Network is a network extending beyond the customers’
premises to link a number of sites.
WLR
Wholesale Line Rental is a BT PSTN product, which enables other telecoms
companies to offer their own branded telephony services to their customers
utilising the BT network. BT will provide, repair and maintain these lines.
