Glossary

PCM and companding standard used in North America and Japan to compress and expand the amplitude range of a signal before and after transmission. See A-Law

PCM and companding standard used in Europe to compress and expand the amplitude range of a signal before and after transmission. See µ-Law.

Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. A suite of network security services providing the framework to set up access control.

A link that connects a SP or SCP to its serving STP or STP pair. Provides ACCESS into the signaling network.

The information in an AIB that follows the header, down to the data field. An AIB can have one or more Address Elements. AEs correspond to Span, Channel, and SS7 Link.

AIB. A standardized block that allows address data to be inserted in a standard way into API messages.

AIN. Also referred to as IN. Network that can affect the routing of the call and the originator or receiver of the call can inject intelligence and affect the flow of their call. Generally implemented using SS7 protocol. See SS7.

American National Standards Institute. ANSI administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system for the

API. Software application that carries out low level services performed by the Excel platform. It is comprised of standard software interrupts, calls, and data formats used by the application programs.

AF. A predefined PPL software routine that performs a single, simple task, such as "Transmit Line Signaling" or "Allocate Digit Buffer." It is composed of standard software interrupts, calls, and data formats used by applications. Each AF has two values named "Arguments." AFs 1-50 are generic, and apply to all PPL components. AFs 51 and above apply to specific components. An AF is called "Atomic" because it is the smallest useful unit in PPL.

ANI. This feature allows a host to request the call originating number (calling party number) from networks that support Automatic Number Identification such as AT&T MultiQuest.

Bearer channel, 64Kbps (ISDN) The channel that carries the actual payload (as opposed to D-channels, which carry signaling data that helps route the payload).

Bipolar with 8-Zero Substitution. Coding method used with Clear Channel signaling to allow true 64Kbps channel data transmission speeds. See also ZBTSI.

Radio and control equipment located at a cell site within a cellular network. It may include receivers, transmitters, transceivers, antennas (transmit/receive), and any required support equipment.

BRI. 2B+1D, 144 Kbps Available for customer use, interface for personal/small business use (ISDN), (2x64Kbps)+(1x16Kbps).

A line coding method that provides for the elimination of non-significant zeros from a numeral.

Tone commonly used to indicate additional action is required by the caller, such as dialing more digits (for example, entry of personal ID number).

A tone sent to the caller indicating the progress of the call. Examples include dial tone, busy tone, ringback tone, and comfort noise (digital cellular).

A call in which all participating terminals communicate in a point-to-point fashion with an MCU.

CAS. Signaling in which the signals necessary to switch a given circuit are transmitted via the circuit itself or via a signaling channel permanently associated with it.

A device typically used in T1 applications. It converts analog voice into digital code, such as PCM, and combines 24 such signals into a single DS-1 signal (such as TDM, and vise versa.

Signaling technique where the full channel bandwidth is used for data transmission, while the framing and control bits (signaling) use a separate channel. No control or signaling is performed on this path. See B8ZS and ZBTSI.

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier. A telecommunications carrier that typically competes with larger, more established carriers.

In SIP, an application program that sends SIP requests (See also Session Initiation Protocol). Clients may or may not interact directly with a person. Users agents and proxies contain clients (and servers).

A grouping of nodes in a network (as defined by point code), usually grouped by geographical region.

Coder/Decoder. A CODEC converts voice signals from their analog form to digital signal acceptable to modern digital transmission systems.

A "soft" grouping of link sets, defined as being part of the same route to a destination, limited to 32 actual links.

CCS. Network architecture using SS7 protocol for the exchange of information between telecommunications nodes and networks on an out-of-band basis.

CSA. GUI-based tool used to configure, provision and monitor a Excel platform related to, for example, SIP, H.323, and VDAC Resouce Attributes.

An Internet Protocol enhanced service node that supports the deployment of voice and data services in circuit, packet, and converged networks. The Converged Services Platform (CSP) features an open and multi-functional platform design that enables developers to quickly create and deliver new revenue-generating services for both legacy and next-generation networks.

A bit framing standard for traditional time-division multiplexing, which standard describes user channels multiplexed onto a trunk that has been segmented (framed) into 24 bytes of 8 bits each. Note: The multiplexing function is performed in the D-4 framing structure by interleaving bits of consecutive bytes as they are presented from individual circuits into each D-4 frame.

Data Communications Equipment. According to the RS-232-C standard, DCE devices are typically modems or printers. See DTE.

Data channel. One of two fundamental components of an ISDN interface, it provides a path (16Kbps for BRI, 64Kbps for PRI) for carrying control signals and call data in a packet-switched mode.

A conference in which the participating terminals multicast to all other participating terminals without an MCU.

Domain Name Server (or Service). Used to convert H.323 IDs, URLs, and e-mail IDs to IP addresses. DNS is also used to help find remote gatekeepers and to reverse-map raw IP addresses to host names of administrative domains.

Data Terminal Equipment. According to the RS-232-C standard, DTE devices are typically personal computers or data terminals. See DCE.

Digital Signal cross(X) - connect patch panel - manual patch panel that primarily serves as a test access point for DS-1 signals

DTMF. Method by which the digits (0-9) and symbols (* and #) are generated from a handset, represented by two tones, one high and one low frequency (touchtone dialing).

A digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 2.048 Mbps rate; 30B/2D or 31B/1D (ISDN); non-North American version of T1.

Address format for ISDN networks. The international public telecom-munications numbering plan. A standard set by ITU-T for addressing telephone numbers. See ITU Recommendation E.164 (1991).

Interface signaling commonly used to interconnect switching signaling systems with transmission signaling systems.

The switch that connects end users to the network. Also known as a "Central Office."

An H.323 terminal or gateway, or MCU. An endpoint can call and be called. It generates and/or terminates the information stream.

The protocol used in most local area PC networks. Typically, most Ethernet networks support data transmission speeds up to 10 Mbps, but 100 Mbps is also possible.

In PPL, a condition that, when met, drives a state machine (PPL Component) from one state to another, by invoking an associated Primitive. In PPL files, an Event is marked by an arrow and text.

Excel's open architecture, proprietary, 1.3 Gbps fiber optic network using a packet-based protocol.

The Matrix Controller Series 3 card is based on Motorola’s 750 PowerPC processor (68750). It is often referred to as the Matrix Controller.

A T-carrier bit framing technique in which framing requiring less frequent synchronization than the original T-carrier superframe format is provided for D-4 formatting and for on-line, real-time testing of circuit capability and operating condition. Note: Less-frequent synchronization frees overhead bits for use in testing and monitoring.

Quick depress and release of the phone plunger of a handset to signal the PBX or Centrex of instructions to follow (e.g., Call Transfer).

A group of data bits in a specific format, with a flag at each end to indicate the beginning and the end of the frame.

Error control procedure for digital communication channels providing definable bit patterns to allow the receiver to identify the start of each frame of data and the signaling data.

An H.323 entity on the network that provides address translation and controls access to the network for H.323 terminals and other end points. The gatekeeper may also provide other services to the endpoints such as bandwidth management and locating gateways.

A device that translates calls between an IP network and another network, typically the PSTN.

ITU-T standard defines a set of call control, channel setup, and codec specifications for transmitting real-time voice and video over networks that do not offer guaranteed service or quality of service.

Any H.323 component, including terminals, Gateways, Gatekeepers, MCs, MPs, and MCUs.

Registration, admission, and status. The RAS signaling function per-forms registration, admissions, bandwidth changes, status and disen-gage procedures between the VoIP gateway and the gatekeeper.

A channel carrying information streams between two H.323 endpoints. An unreliable channel is used for audio, audio control, video, and video control. A reliable channel is used for data and H.245.

The initial exchange between two data communications systems prior to and during data transmission to ensure proper data transmission.

HDLC. A bit oriented communication protocol where control codes differ according to their bit positions and pattern.

A computer, attached to the Excel platform through an RS-232 or Ethernet link, from which you run the telecommunications application that controls the Excel platform.

Equipment that can be removed or inserted while the system is running and has little or no effect on normal operations.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The protocol used by web servers and client browsers to communication.

Internet Engineering Task Force. Group that sets the technical standards that help maintain the Internet.

Signaling that uses tones within the voice frequency band that are carried along the same circuit as the voice path.

ICB. A standardized block that allows control data to be inserted in a standard way into API messages.

Excel's IMG product family provides a flexible platform designed to provide a gateway environment for voice, signaling, and media. The IMG integrates media server and signaling server capabilities with a scalable gateway platform.

ISDN. Network architecture based on digital transmission, switching, and common channel signaling. Basic configurations include 2B+D called a Basic Rate Interface, and 23+D called a Primary Rate Interface. Outside North America, PRI is 30B+D.

Interworking is a software feature within the Excel platform call control layer that enables protocol conversion by analyzing and converting Network Signaling (NS) Layer 3 information.

Internet Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP family of protocols used to route messages and tracks the addresses of nodes.

A 32-bit address, used in IP routing, which includes a Network address identifier assigned by a central authority and a Host ID (an end station identifier assigned by a LAN administrator).

Internet Protocol Device Control. Controls connections and signaling information in environments where the service control logic is separated from the network access device. This protocol suite was defined by a consortium of companies and has been proposed as a standard to the ITU.

Options for line length when configuring a T-1 span on a Excel platform are as follows.

LEC. A Central Office that provides telephone service within one Local Access Transport Area. See Local Access Transport Area.

Supervisory signaling commonly used to seize a line, for example by taking your phone off hook, forming a –48 VDC loop with the local central office.

A type of diagnostic test in which the transmitted signal is returned to the sending device after passing through a data communications link or network.

Part of the IETF standards (RFC 2705). The IETF and the ITU have decided to endorse and jointly mandate a single standard, known in the IETF as Megaco and known in the ITU as H.248. Megaco/H.248 is a master-slave protocol, where external call controllers execute commands that the media gateways must follow. Megaco/H.248 represents an enhancement of MGCP because it supports multiple gateways, thousands of ports on a gateway, and connection-oriented media such as TDM and ATM.

Media Gateway Control Protocol. The IETF combined IPDC and SGCP to form the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). The Media Gateway Control (Megaco) working group is responsible for MGCP. As of late 2001, MGCP was still a working document and not yet a standard.

MTSO. A switch in a mobile telephone network that contains the monitoring and relay functions for switching calls between the cellular and landline networks.

A process of transmitting Protocol Data Units from one source to many destinations. The actual mechanism (that is, IP multicast, multi-unicast, and so forth) for this process might be different for LAN technologies.

A conference between three or more terminals, which may be on a LAN or Circuit Switched Network.

In H.323 terminology, an MCU consists of a required Multipoint Controller (MC) and an optional Multipoint Processor or Processors (MP). The MC is a conference controller. The MC handles the negotiation between all terminals to determine the common capabilities and conference resources, such as multicasting. The MP is typically a DSP and is responsible for performing the actual conferencing algorithm.

A process of transferring Protocol Data Units (PDUs) where an end-point sends more than one copy of a media stream to different end-points. This might be necessary in networks which do not support multicast.

A family of standards designed to let telephony products from different vendors inter-operate within a single computer or group of computers.

Notation that describes line card redundancy, where N is the number of installed line cards of a single card type and 1 is an additional line card of that type designated as a standby card. For example, if you have three T-ONE cards and one additional standby T-ONE card installed, the system provides redundancy by activating the standby card if any of the three active T-ONE cards fail.

Network Interface Unit - point where customer equipment ends and network equipment begins. Test address facility for network technicians. a.k.a. – smart jack

NFAS. Signaling which allows a D-Channel to carry call information for the 23 B-Channels on that span plus 9 more spans.

Network Protocol Data Intelligence. Also called "Interworking," it is a software product that operates within Excel’s Call Control (Layer 4) and Services (Layer 5) call processing layers. NPDI is meant to enhance Excel’s call processing product offering by allowing call processing layers (specifically Layers 4 and 5) to perform advanced analysis, generation, and conversion of Network Signaling (NS) Layer 3 information.

Signaling that is separate from the channel carrying the information (voice, data, etc.). Also signaling within the same channel as the intelligence, but out of the specific bandwidth used to carry the intelligence.

PEB. A digital voice bus from Dialogic, Inc. for sending voice across different voice processing cards and components within the same PC.

Wide range of individualized communication services that allow people or devices to communicate regardless of where they are. 3 variants

POTS. Basic telephone service supplying stan-dard single line telephones, telephone lines, and access to the PSTN.

Status messages sent from the Excel platform to the host indicating the state of the matrices.

The point in the Excel platform where a DS0 connects to a network. Also known as a "socket."

A programmable software component that uses PPL state machines that can be modified with the PPL Tool.

A condition that, when met, drives a state machine from one state to another. A condition that drives a Component out of its current state by invoking an associated primitive.

A system object that is controlled by a PPL state machine such as a channel, an ISDN D channel, or an SS7 link. Allows externally programmed custom protocols in Excel’s switching software, via GUI.

Automated method of making many outgoing calls without people, and then quickly passing answered calls to an operator, along with relevant database information.

PRI. One of two basic ISDN interface configurations providing 23 (30 outside of North America) Bearer channels (64 Kbps data) and 1 Data signaling channel (16 Kbps control and signaling data). Commonly refered to as ISDN PRI or 23B+D interface (30B+D outside of North America).

Group of one or more Atomic Functions that allow multiple actions (tests) to be initiated in response to a PPL event for a channel. See Programmable Protocol Language.

PBX. Small version of the central office switch, but privately owned and controlled, typically providing voice processing, automated attendant, and direct inward dialing (DID).

PPL. Excel feature allowing support of custom protocols, designed through a graphical interface tool. Protocol is defined by associating a State Event Table with a Primitive Table. See State Machine.

For the purposes of a Excel platform, a proxy server is a SIP device which receives invitations and other requests, and forwards them to other SIP devices. It then receives the responses to the requests it forwarded and forwards them back to the sender of the initial request.

PCM. Common technique of encoding analog voice into a digital bit stream where samples are taken 8000 times per second.

ITU-TSS Publication on Signaling Performance in the Telephone Applications (TUP)

ITU-TSS Publication on Stage 3 Description for Number ID Supplementary Services using SS7

ITU-TSS Publication on Stage 3 Description for Call Completion Supplementary Services

ITU-TSS Publication on Applications of the ISUP for International ISDN Interconnections (ISUP)

ITU-TSS Publication on Transaction Capabilities Information Element Definitions (TCAP)

IITU-TSS Publication on SUP Protocol Test Specification for Supplementary Services

Quality of Service, which refers to the measure of service quality pro-vided to the user. Guarantees network bandwidth and availability for applications.

The Registration, Admission, and Status messages communicated between two H.323 entities for example between an Endpoint and a Gatekeeper.

An unreliable channel used to convey the Registration, Admissions and Status messages and bandwidth changes between two H.323 entities. A set of messages used between a gateway and a gatekeeper. Defined in the ITU-T Recommendation H.225.0 [3].

An I/O card that supports redundancy and has external connections. It sits behind whichever line card is originally designated as "active." Compare to "Standard I/O card" and "Standby I/O card."

In T-1, a red alarm is generated for a locally detected failure when synchronization is lost for more than 2.5 seconds

A SIP device that responds to invitations and other requests by informing the request originator of an alternate address to which the request should be sent.

Connection-oriented data transmission that guarantees sequenced, error-free, flow-controlled transmission of messages to the receiver.

RFS. A Status Message indicating that some entity is requesting service from the Excel platform.

TCP/IP protocol controls the translation of the Data Link Control (DLC) address to the Internet Protocol (IP) address.

Signaling method used with T1 connections where bits are "robbed" from voice data. Increases possibility of transmission and detection errors, and reduces voice quality.

For incoming calls, a routing table is a user-definable list of steps that are treatment instructions for an incoming call. Ideally, these steps should be addressed and the call treatment begun before the call is answered. A routing table should consist of a minimum of steps that include agent groups, voice response devices, announcements (delay and information) music on hold, intraflow and interflow steps, route dialing (machine-based call forwarding). A significant issue in the structure of routing tables is "look-back" capability, where no single, previously- interrogated resource is abandoned by the system. For outgoing calls, for a specific site, this table lists the long-distance routing choices for each location to be dialed. There may be only one choice (route) listed for some or all destinations or there may be several choices for some destinations.

Resource Reservation Protocol IETF specification. Allows applications to request dedicated bandwidth.

Real-Time Transport Protocol. Supports transport of real-time data like interactive voice and video over packet-switched networks.

SSP. Also called a Signal Switching Point. A switch that can recognize, route, and connect Intelligent Network calls as directed by a Service Control Point (centralized database). SSP can also be a Subscriber Service Point. In this case it is the switch portion of a "Combined Node" (STP/SSP combination node).This node is unique in the network as it has 2 valid point codes.

An Excel platform component that is not directly involved in switching calls. For example, the DSP-ONE card.

SCSA. Architecture developed by Dialogic, Inc. that defines hardware and software standards allowing signal computing devices from different vendors to inter-operate.

STP. A node in the telephony network that normally does not handle voice. It acts as a message router, transferring signaling messages between switches.

SCCP. The signaling connection and control part of the SS7 signaling protocol. For example, performs Global Title Translations (GTT), Subsystem Management.

SS7. A common channel signaling protocol providing supervision, alerting, and addressing services.

Signaling methods used in Excel platform are: Clear Channel and Channel Associated Signaling.

Session-Initiation Protocol. A signaling protocol used for establishing sessions in an IP network. A session could be a simple, two-way telephone call, or it could be a collaborative multi-media conference session.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The TCP/IP protocol governing electronic mail transmissions and receptions.

Range of channels provided by T1 or E1 transmission service. A physical span is a group of channels taking up a single physical wire. A logical span is a group of channels taking up less than a single logical wire, or carried over more than one physical wire.

An I/O card that does not support redundancy but has external connections. It sits behind its corresponding line card. Compare to "Redundant I/O card" and "Standby I/O card."

An I/O card that supports redundancy but has no external connections. A Standby I/O card sits behind whichever line card is originally designated as "standby." Compare to "Redundant I/O card" and "Standard I/O card."

Group of events (functions that pertain to a given state of a channel. See Programmable Protocol Language.

The condition of a component at a given instant. The current "context" of a PPL object, such as Idle, Seizing, Answered. In PPL files, a State is represented by a circle.

A State Machine defines the events (functions) required to drive a channel from one state to another through a graphical interface tool. A State Machine is configured and managed using API Messages or the PPL Tool. Based on the occurrence of an Event, a State Machine drives each channel through its Protocol Tables. It creates one state from another, invoked by an event. Processing is complete when a "normal" state is reached. "Wait" and "Stable" are normal states.

SCN. A public or private switched telecommunications network such as GSTN or ISDN. TCP: transmission control protocol, reliable network-ing layer on top of IP.

Digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 1.544 Mbps rate (24 64 Kbps channels)

ANSI Publication on Operation, Maintenance, and Provisioning (OAMP) - Management of Functions for SS7 Network Interconnections

ANSI Publication on Interworking between the ISDN User-to-Network Interwork Interface Protocol and the SS7 ISUP

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. A networking protocol that provides communication across interconnected networks.

The endpoints on the LAN that provide real-time, two-way communication with another Terminal, Gateway, or MCU. A terminal must provide audio and may also provide video and/or data. Most H.323 terminals in the near future will be desktop computers running H.323 software. In the case of the Excel platform, an H.323 terminal will be an end user, using a standard POTS or ISDN phone.

TDM. Technique for digital transmission of a number of separate voice and data channels simultaneously over one communications medium, where each channel is allotted a time slot for data transmission.

TSI. A way of temporarily storing data bytes so they can be sent in a different order than they were received.

Tag-Length-Value block. A standardized block that allows data to inserted in a standard way into API messages.

TCAP. The transaction capabilities application part of the SS7 protocol. It is the top layer of the SS7 stack, equivalent to Layer 7 of the OSI model.

The User Agent is effectively the end system component for the call. Universal Agent Client (UAC) initiates the calls and the Universal Agent Server (UAS) answers the calls which allows peer-to-peer calls using a client/server protocol.

Connection-less transmission which provides best-effort delivery of data packets. Messages transmitted by the sender may be lost, duplicated, or received out of sequence.

UPD. User Datagram Protocol. Unreliable networking layer that sits at the same level of networking stack as TCP. Part of the TCP/IP protocol suit, UDP is used for transferring IP datagrams between host computers, where each datagram is routed through the Internet based on the destination IP address.

Universal Protocol Data Format. A predefined data format set used by a line card to communicate to the Layer 4 and above to represent information of the network-side of the line card. This set is independent of the network-side protocol.UPDF offers a "super scale" protocol format for signaling.

Voice Data Access Concentrator Card. Performs two-way conversion between circuit-switched data and packet-switched Ethernet data required by packetized voice applications such as VoIP.

Voice over Internet Protocol. The delivery of voice information in digital form in discrete packets rather than in the traditional circuit-committed protocols of the public-switched telephone network (PSTN).

Momentary interruption in a single frequency tone indicating the distant switch is ready to receive the digits just dialed.

A continuous 16-bit pattern of eight consecutive 1s followed by eight consecutive 0s - sent by the receiving equipment when synchronization to a transmitting DS-1 signal cannot be achieved.

Coding method used with clear channel signaling to allow true 64 Kbps channel data transmission speeds. See B8ZS.

A collection of newer network components, such as terminals, gateways, gatekeepers, and multipoint control units (MCU) that interoperate with other standards-compliant endpoints and networks by virtue of an H.323 gateway. The collection of all these network components, which are managed by a single Gatekeeper, is referred to as an H.323 Zone. A zone includes at least one terminal, and can include gateways or multipoint control units (MCUs), or LAN segments connected using routers. A zone has only one gatekeeper.

See Pulse Code Modulation.

PCM and companding standard used in Europe to compress and expand the amplitude range of a signal before and after transmission. See µ-Law.

PCM and companding standard used in North America and Japan to compress and expand the amplitude range of a signal before and after transmission. See A-Law

See Address Information Block.

See Signaling System Number Seven.

See Advanced Intelligent Network.

AIB. A standardized block that allows address data to be inserted in a standard way into API messages.

ANI. This feature allows a host to request the call originating number (calling party number) from networks that support Automatic Number Identification such as AT&T MultiQuest.

American National Standards Institute. ANSI administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system for the
telecommunications industry. More details on these standards may be
viewed at www.ansi.org.

See Atomic Function.

See Programmable Protocol Language.

See Automatic Number Identification.

See Integrated Services Digital Network.

See Basic Rate Interface.

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. A networking protocol that provides communication across interconnected networks.

BRI. 2B+1D, 144 Kbps Available for customer use, interface for personal/small business use (ISDN), (2x64Kbps)+(1x16Kbps).

CSA. GUI-based tool used to configure, provision and monitor a Excel platform related to, for example, SIP, H.323, and VDAC Resouce Attributes.

Outgoing call setup during real-time call processing on a specific channel.

See Call Detail Record.

Call signaling protocol for setup and termination of calls.

CAS. Signaling in which the signals necessary to switch a given circuit are transmitted via the circuit itself or via a signaling channel permanently associated with it.

International Telecommunications Union (UN)

See Integrated Services Digital Network User Part.

CCS. Network architecture using SS7 protocol for the exchange of information between telecommunications nodes and networks on an out-of-band basis.

CDR. An electronic record of a call containing all data used for billing.

See Multipoint Control Unit.

See Channel Associated Signaling.

Digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 1.544 Mbps rate (24 64 Kbps channels)

See Time Division Multiplexing.

CI. A software and/or hardware release to a limited amount of customers.

CICs. Identify the voice circuits controlled by SS7 Signaling Links.

Bipolar with 8-Zero Substitution. Coding method used with Clear Channel signaling to allow true 64Kbps channel data transmission speeds. See also ZBTSI.

LEC. A Central Office that provides telephone service within one Local Access Transport Area. See Local Access Transport Area.

Coder/Decoder. A CODEC converts voice signals from their analog form to digital signal acceptable to modern digital transmission systems.

See Common Channel Signaling.

See Controlled Introduction.

See Converged Services Administrator.

Data Communications Equipment. According to the RS-232-C standard, DCE devices are typically modems or printers. See DTE.

Data Terminal Equipment. According to the RS-232-C standard, DTE devices are typically personal computers or data terminals. See DCE.

A computer, attached to the Excel platform through an RS-232 or Ethernet link, from which you run the telecommunications application that controls the Excel platform.

Internet Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP family of protocols used to route messages and tracks the addresses of nodes.

POTS. Basic telephone service supplying stan-dard single line telephones, telephone lines, and access to the PSTN.

See Plain Old Telephone Service.

A number that addresses a node in a SS7 network.

Digital Signal level 0. DS-0 is a 64 Kbps channel

Digital Signal level 3. DS-3 is 44.378 Mbps (672 - 64 Kbps VF channels)

International Telephone Union – Telecommunications sector (UN)

Address format for ISDN networks. The international public telecom-munications numbering plan. A standard set by ITU-T for addressing telephone numbers. See ITU Recommendation E.164 (1991).

The protocol used in most local area PC networks. Typically, most Ethernet networks support data transmission speeds up to 10 Mbps, but 100 Mbps is also possible.

A programmable software component that uses PPL state machines that can be modified with the PPL Tool.

The Matrix Controller Series 3 card is based on Motorola’s 750 PowerPC processor (68750). It is often referred to as the Matrix Controller.

See Private Branch Exchange.

A group of data bits in a specific format, with a flag at each end to indicate the beginning and the end of the frame.

GA. A software and/or hardware release available to all customers.

Public Switched Telephone Network

See General Availability.

The Registration, Admission, and Status messages communicated between two H.323 entities for example between an Endpoint and a Gatekeeper.

See Information Control Block.

Protocol layer of the CSP.

See Integrated Media Gateway.

Interworking is a software feature within the Excel platform call control layer that enables protocol conversion by analyzing and converting Network Signaling (NS) Layer 3 information.

ISUP. The call control part of the SS7 signaling protocol.

LATA. Geographic area serviced by a Local Exchange Carrier. See LEC.

A line coding method that provides for the elimination of non-significant zeros from a numeral.

A line coding method.

See Local Access Transport Area.

Supervisory signaling commonly used to seize a line, for example by taking your phone off hook, forming a –48 VDC loop with the local central office.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode

See Message Transfer Part.

MTP. Message Transfer Part of the SS7 signaling protocol.

A device that translates calls between an IP network and another network, typically the PSTN.

See Mobile Telephone Switching Office.

MTSO. A switch in a mobile telephone network that contains the monitoring and relay functions for switching calls between the cellular and landline networks.

PDU. Used by bridges to transfer connectivity informa-tion.

Digital Signal Processor

NFAS. Signaling which allows a D-Channel to carry call information for the 23 B-Channels on that span plus 9 more spans.

See Non Facility Associated Signaling.

Setting up, monitoring, and tearing down calls.

Call processing layer of the CSP.

Application layer of the CSP.

Network Protocol Data Intelligence. Also called “Interworking,” it is a software product that operates within Excel’s Call Control (Layer 4) and Services (Layer 5) call processing layers. NPDI is meant to enhance Excel’s call processing product offering by allowing call processing layers (specifically Layers 4 and 5) to perform advanced analysis, generation, and conversion of Network Signaling (NS) Layer 3 information.

PBX. Small version of the central office switch, but privately owned and controlled, typically providing voice processing, automated attendant, and direct inward dialing (DID).

PCM. Common technique of encoding analog voice into a digital bit stream where samples are taken 8000 times per second.

Code Division Multiple Access

Time Division Multiple Access

PPL. Excel feature allowing support of custom protocols, designed through a graphical interface tool. Protocol is defined by associating a State Event Table with a Primitive Table. See State Machine.

In PPL, a condition that, when met, drives a state machine (PPL Component) from one state to another, by invoking an associated Primitive. In PPL files, an Event is marked by an arrow and text.

The condition of a component at a given instant. The current "context" of a PPL object, such as Idle, Seizing, Answered. In PPL files, a State is represented by a circle.

Group of one or more Atomic Functions that allow multiple actions (tests) to be initiated in response to a PPL event for a channel. See Programmable Protocol Language.

See Transaction Capability Application Part.

RAN. Recorded messages provided to callers for various reasons.

TCP/IP protocol controls the translation of the Data Link Control (DLC) address to the Internet Protocol (IP) address.

An H.323 terminal or gateway, or MCU. An endpoint can call and be called. It generates and/or terminates the information stream.

See Recorded Announcements.

See Request For Service.

RFS. A Status Message indicating that some entity is requesting service from the Excel platform.

SCN. A public or private switched telecommunications network such as GSTN or ISDN. TCP: transmission control protocol, reliable network-ing layer on top of IP.

SCSA. Architecture developed by Dialogic, Inc. that defines hardware and software standards allowing signal computing devices from different vendors to inter-operate.

SubSystem Prohibited. See also Service Switching Point.

See Signal Computing System Architecture.

A digital communications link - voice, data, and video at a 2.048 Mbps rate; 30B/2D or 31B/1D (ISDN); non-North American version of T1.

SSP. Also called a Signal Switching Point. A switch that can recognize, route, and connect Intelligent Network calls as directed by a Service Control Point (centralized database). SSP can also be a Subscriber Service Point. In this case it is the switch portion of a “Combined Node” (STP/SSP combination node).This node is unique in the network as it has 2 valid point codes.

See Switched Circuit Network.

Time Slot Interchange

Open System Interconnection model

TSI. A way of temporarily storing data bytes so they can be sent in a different order than they were received.

See Universal Protocol Data Format.

Comité Consultatif Internationale de Telephonique et Telegraphique (now ITU)