|
ACK
|
Acknowledgement.
With SIP, and ACK indicates a network element has
received on INVITE message to initiate a session.
|
|
ACM
|
Address
Complete Message; an ISUP parameter indicating the
dialed phone number has been confirmed by the terminating
switch.
|
| ADC |
Analog-to-digital
conversion is an electronic process in which a continuously
variable (analog) signal is changed, without altering
its essential content, into a multi-level (digital)
signal.The input to an analog-to-digital converter
(ADC) consists of a voltage that varies among a theoretically
infinite number of values. Examples are sine waves,
the waveforms representing human speech, and the signals
from a conventional television camera. The output
of the ADC, in contrast, has defined levels or states.
The number of states is almost always a power of two
-- that is, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc. The simplest digital
signals have only two states, and are called binary.
All whole numbers can be represented in binary form
as strings of ones and zeros.Digital signals propagate
more efficiently than analog signals, largely because
digital impulses, which are well defined and orderly,
are easier for electronic circuits to distinguish
from noise, which is chaotic. This is the chief advantage
of digital modes in communications. Computers "talk"
and "think" in terms of binary digital data;
while a microprocessor can analyze analog data, it
must be converted into digital form for the computer
to make sense of it.A typical telephone modem makes
use of an ADC to convert the incoming audio from a
twisted-pair line into signals the computer can understand.
In a digital signal processing system, an ADC is required
if the signal input is analog. |
|
AIN
|
Advanced
Intelligent Network
|
|
ANM
|
Answer
Message; an ISUP parameter indicating the receiving
telephone has answered the call.
|
|
Application
Processing Card (APC)
|
In
the SS8 architecture, an APC is responsible for
call processing, answer supervision, and other transactions
assigned to it by the Message Transport Card (MTC).
|
| ASN.1
|
Abstract
Syntax Notation One, a signaling transport language
commonly associated with PSTN signaling protocols
like PRI and SS7. |
|
ATM
|
Asynchronous
transfer mode
|
|
BB
|
Building
Block or logical software component.
|
|
BER
|
Basic
Encoding Rules which guide call processing and encapsulation.
|
| BISDN |
Broadband
integrated services digital network |
|
Call
|
In
a SIP network, a Call consists of all participants
in a conference invited by a common source. A SIP
call is identified by a globally unique call-id.
For example, if several people invite a user to
the same multicast session, each invitation constitutes
a unique call. A point-to-point Internet telephony
conversation maps into a single SIP call. In a multiparty
conference unit (MCU) based call-in conference,
each participant uses a separate call to invite
himself to the MCU
|
|
Call
Data
|
Call
Data consists of unique call identification information,
such as the number of the Called Party (CdPN) and
the number of the Calling Party (CgPN).
|
|
Call
Leg
|
A
SIP call leg is identified by the combination of
Call-ID, To, and From.
|
|
Called
party
|
The
person or service that the calling party is trying
to invite to a session.
|
|
Callee
|
The
person or service that the calling party is trying
to invite to a conference.
|
|
Calling
party (or Caller)
|
The
party initiating a session invitation. Note that
the calling party does not have to be the same as
the one creating the session.
|
| Circuit
Switched |
A
type of communication in which a dedicated connection
(or circuit) is established for the duration of a
transmission. The most widespread circuit-switching
network is the telephone system, which links together
wire segments to create a single unbroken line for
each telephone call. The other common communications
method is packet switching, which divides messages
into packets and sends each packet individually. The
packets may take different routes and may arrive out
of order. The Internet is based on a packet-switching
protocol, TCP/IP. Circuit-switching systems are ideal
for communications that require data to be transmitted
in real-time. Packet-switching networks are more efficient
if some amount of delay is acceptable. Circuit-switching
networks are sometimes called connection-oriented
networks. Note, however, that although packet switching
is essentially connectionless, a packet switching
network can be made connection-oriented by using a
higher-level protocol. TCP, for example, makes IP
networks connection-oriented. |
|
Client
|
An
application program that sends SIP requests. Clients
may or may not interact directly with a human user.
User agents and proxies contain clients (and servers).
|
| CMIP |
CMIP
(Common Management Information Protocol) is a network
management protocol built on the Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI) communication model. The related Common Management
Information Services (CMIS) defines services for accessing
information about network objects or devices, controlling
them, and receiving status reports from them. |
|
Conference
|
A
SIP multimedia session, identified by a common session
description. A conference can have zero or more
members and includes the cases of a multicast conference,
a full-mesh conference and a two-party "telephone
call."
|
|
CRCX
|
Create
Connection message upon session initiation.
|
|
Dedicated
|
Reserved
for a specific use. In communications, a dedicated
channel is a line reserved exclusively for one type
of communication. This is the same as a leased line
or private line.
|
| DHCP |
DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a protocol
that lets network administrators manage centrally
and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP)
addresses in an organization's network. Using the
Internet's set of protocol (TCP/IP), each machine
that can connect to the Internet needs a unique IP
address. When an organization sets up its computer
users with a connection to the Internet, an IP address
must be assigned to each machine. Without DHCP, the
IP address must be entered manually at each computer
and, if computers move to another location in another
part of the network, a new IP address must be entered.
DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and distribute
IP addresses from a central point and automatically
sends a new IP address when a computer is plugged
into a different place in the network. DHCP uses the
concept of a "lease" or amount of time that
a given IP address will be valid for a computer. The
lease time can vary depending on how long a user is
likely to require the Internet connection at a particular
location. It's especially useful in education and
other environments where users change frequently.
Using very short leases, DHCP can dynamically reconfigure
networks in which there are more computers than there
are available IP addresses. DHCP supports static addresses
for computers containing Web servers that need a permanent
IP address. DHCP is an alternative to another network
IP management protocol, Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP).
DHCP is a more advanced protocol, but both configuration
management protocols are commonly used. Some organizations
use both protocols, but understanding how and when
to use them in the same organization is important.
Some operating systems, including Windows NT, come
with DHCP servers. A DHCP or BOOTP client is a program
that is located in (and perhaps downloaded to) each
computer so that it can be configured. |
| DLCX
|
Delete
Connection message to terminate a session. |
|
Downstream
|
Upstream/downstream
denotes the direction of a message or media stream.
Upstream responses are sent from the User Agent
Server (UAS) to the user agent client (UAC). Downstream
responses are sent from the UAC to the UAS.
|
| DS3 |
Digital
signal X is a term for the series of standard digital
transmission rates or levels based on DS0, a transmission
rate of 64 Kbps, the bandwidth normally used for one
telephone voice channel. Both the North American T-carrier
system and the European E-carrier systems of transmission
operate using the DS series as a base multiple. The
digital signal is what is carried inside the carrier
system. DS0 is the base for the digital signal X series.
DS1, used as the signal in the T-1 carrier, is 24
DS0 (64 Kbps) signals transmitted using pulse-code
modulation (pulse code modulation) and time-division
multiplexing (Time-Division Multiplexing). DS-2 is
four DS1 signals multiplexed together to produce a
rate of 6.312 Mbps. DS-3, the signal in the T-3 carrier
carries a multiple of 28 DS1 signals or 672 DS0s or
44.736 Mbps. Digital signal X is based on the American
National Standards Institute T1.107 guidelines. The
ITU-TS guidelines differ somewhat. The following table
summarizes the set of signals and relates them to
the T-carrier and E-carrier systems. |
| DSP |
Digital
signal processing (DSP) refers to various techniques
for improving the accuracy and reliability of digital
communications. The theory behind DSP is quite complex.
Basically, DSP works by clarifying, or standardizing,
the levels or states of a digital signal. A DSP circuit
is able to differentiate between human-made signals,
which are orderly, and noise, which is inherently
chaotic.All communications circuits contain some noise.
This is true whether the signals are analog or digital,
and regardless of the type of information conveyed.
Noise is the eternal bane of communications engineers,
who are always striving to find new ways to improve
the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio in communications
systems. Traditional methods of optimizing S/N ratio
include increasing the transmitted signal power and
increasing the receiver sensitivity. (In wireless
systems, specialized antenna systems can also help.)
Digital signal processing dramatically improves the
sensitivity of a receiving unit. The effect is most
noticeable when noise competes with a desired signal.
A good DSP circuit can sometimes seem like an electronic
miracle worker. But there are limits to what it can
do. If the noise is so strong that all traces of the
signal are obliterated, a DSP circuit cannot find
any order in the chaos, and no signal will be received.If
an incoming signal is analog, for example a standard
television broadcast station, the signal is first
converted to digital form by an analog-to-digital
converter (analog-to-digital conversion). The resulting
digital signal has two or more levels. Ideally, these
levels are always predictable, exact voltages or currents.
However, because the incoming signal contains noise,
the levels are not always at the standard values.
The DSP circuit adjusts the levels so they are at
the correct values. This practically eliminates the
noise. The digital signal is then converted back to
analog form via a digital-to-analog converter (digital-to-analog
conversion).If a received signal is digital, for example
computer data, then the ADC and DAC are not necessary.
The DSP acts directly on the incoming signal, eliminating
irregularities caused by noise, and thereby minimizing
the number of errors per unit time. |
|
EJB
|
Enterprise
Java Bean
|
|
EMS
|
An
Element Management System, which provides overall
network management and control across distributed
network components, or "elements."
|
| FAXoIP |
Facsimile
over Internet protocol |
| FIREWALL |
A
firewall is a set of related programs, located at
a network gateway server that protects the resources
of a private network from users from other networks.
(The term also implies the security policy that is
used with the programs.) An enterprise with an intranet
that allows its workers access to the wider Internet
installs a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing
its own private data resources and for controlling
what outside resources its own users have access to.
Basically, a firewall, working closely with a router
program, examines each network packet to determine
whether to forward it toward its destination. A firewall
also includes or works with a proxy server that makes
network requests on behalf of workstation users. A
firewall is often installed in a specially designated
computer separate from the rest of the network so
that no incoming request can get directly at private
network resources. There is a number of firewall screening
methods. A simple one is to screen requests to make
sure they come from acceptable (previously identified)
domain name and Internet Protocol addresses. For mobile
users, firewalls allow remote access in to the private
network by the use of secure logon procedures and
authentication certificates. A number of companies
make firewall products. Features include logging and
reporting, automatic alarms at given thresholds of
attack, and a graphical user interface for controlling
the firewall. |
|
Final
response
|
A
response from a network element indicating termination
of a SIP transaction. All 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx and
6xx responses are final.
|
|
Global
Data
|
Data
that is shared across multiple users, for example,
statutory holidays.
|
|
Global
Switched Telephone Network (GSTN)
or Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
|
The
traditional circuit-switched telephone network that
operates worldwide for basic telephony services.
|
| GSM |
GSM
(Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital
mobile telephone system that is widely used in Europe
and other parts of the world. GSM uses a variation
of Time Division Multiple Access and is the most widely
used of the three digital wireless telephone technologies
(TDMA, GSM, and CDMA). GSM digitizes and compresses
data, then sends it down a channel with two other
streams of user data, each in its own time slot. It
operates at either the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz frequency
band. GSM is the de facto wireless telephone standard
in Europe. GSM has over 120 million users worldwide
and is available in 120 countries, according to the
GSM MoU Association. Since many GSM network operators
have roaming agreements with foreign operators, users
can often continue to use their mobile phones when
they travel to other countries. |
| GSR |
Router
Cisco |
|
H.323
|
Originally
developed for use in IP-based video conferencing,
H.323 emerged from the ITU as the first industry
standard for VoIP signaling in 1997. Based on ISDN
service logic, H.323 consists of H.225 core call
establishment, Q.931 call states, and H.245 call
setup.
|
|
HTML
|
Hypertext
Markup Language, which is the most commonly used
system language for Internet Web page design.
|
|
HTTP
|
Hyper
Text Transport Protocol, which is the most commonly
used transport language for Internet transactions.
HTTP is the underlying foundation of SIP.
|
|
IETF
|
Internet
Engineering Task Force, a standards body and workgroup
for IP protocol development. The IETF was the birthplace
and key driver for SIP and MGCP/Megaco.
|
|
IAM
|
Initial
Address Message, an ISUP parameter indicating the
originating switch has captured the initial digits.
|
|
IMS
|
Interactive
Media Server, which is a network element for terminating
and originating sessions between individuals or
groups.
|
|
IN
|
Intelligent
Network, an overlay signaling network that became
the core service logic architecture for the traditional
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
|
|
INAP
(also CORE INAP, ETSI INAP, etc)
|
Intelligent
Network Application Part, which defines the service
layer call states in SS7 and enables network elements
to communicate with Intelligent Peripherals (application
service nodes such as voice messaging and calling
card systems). INAP has several regional and country-specific
variants, including CS-1 and CS2.
|
| iNet |
An
i-net (pronounced AI-neht) is any network that uses
the Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol). Within
AT&T, the word is used as a convenient "umbrella"
term that includes the Internet, intranet, and extranet. |
|
Inbound
Service
|
A
service that is designed for subscriber to receive
incoming calls with service features.
|
|
Initiator
|
The
party initiating a conference invitation. Note that
the calling party does not have to be the same as
the one creating the conference.
|
|
Invited
User or Invitee
|
The
person or service that the calling party is trying
to invite to a conference.
|
|
Invitee
|
The
person or service that the calling party is trying
to invite to a conference.
|
|
IP
|
Internet
Protocol
|
|
IP
Telephony Administrative Domain (ITAD)
|
A
single logical network. An ITAD is a set of resources
(Gateways, Endpoints, SoftSwitches, or Signaling
Servers such as the SS8 SignalingSwitches) under
the control of a single administrative authority.
End users are members of an ITAD.
|
|
IPTEL
|
Internet
Protocol Telephony (also referred to as VoIP).
|
|
ISDN
|
Integrated
Service Digital Network, a set of signaling interfaces
for the traditional PSTN. The most common variances
of ISDN are PRI (primary rate) and BRI (basic rate).
|
|
ISO
|
International
Standards Organization, the leading product and
procedural standards organization worldwide.
|
|
ISUP
|
ISDN
User Part, the core call state protocol in SS7.
|
| ITU |
International
telecommunications union |
|
IVR
|
Interactive
Voice Response, a system that interacts with users
based on a series of prompts and manual responses.
|
|
IWR
|
Interactive
Web Response, a system that combines visual and
voice prompts to guide users through automated sessions.
|
|
Java
Advanced Intelligent Network (JAIN)
|
A
framework and class of APIs for providing IN-class
services based on the Java programming language.
JAIN incorporates specific APIs for SIP, MGCP, H.323
and all layers of SS7 into a development environment
for new applications.
|
|
JDBC
|
Java
Database Connection, a protocol based on ODBC for
extending data elements to Java-based provisioning
and control interfaces.
|
|
JDK
|
Java
Development Kit, or group of tools for developing
Java interfaces.
|
| KBPS |
Kilobytes
per second |
| LAN |
Local
area network |
| LDAP |
Lightweight
directory access protocol |
|
Less
Specific Route
|
Description
of route hierarchies based on Route Set theory.
A route X is said to be less specific than a route
Y if every destination in Y is also a destination
in X. For example, X could consist of Country-City
Code, while Y consists of Country-City Code and
Npxx.
|
|
LNP
|
Local
Number Portability, a specification allowing users
to retain their phone number when moving to another
location in the same local calling area. LNP is
one of the primary features developed on the existing
IN infrastructure.
|
|
Location
server
|
A
Location Server stores routing and addressing information
for network elements and exchanges data with other
Location Servers.
|
|
Location
service
|
Location
Services are provided by Location Servers and indicate
groups of possible destination servers for reaching
a given user.
|
| MAN |
Metropolitan
area network |
|
MAP
|
Mobile
Application Part, a series of extensions to SS7
at the application layer to allow mobile roaming
and mobility management for mobile telephone networks.
|
|
MCU
|
Multiparty
Conference Unit, or a network server that pools
media from multiple users.
|
|
Media
Distribution Controller (MDC)
|
The
MDC is a core software component of the SS8 SignalingSwitch.
It distributes ingress traffic from 100/1000BaseT
interface to all APCs within its domain and balances
the load across active APCs.
|
|
Message
Transport Card (MTC)
|
The
MTC is the interface between SS8 applications and
the outside network. It is responsible for receiving
messages from and sending messages to the IP network,
managing transport sessions, and distributing application
messages to each network element.
|
|
MG
|
Media
Gateway, a network element that interfaces to traditional
PSTN network components and the IP network, providing
protocol conversion, packetization-depacketization,
and media translation from packet to circuit network
components.
|
|
MGC
|
Media
Gateway Controller
|
|
MGCP
|
Media
Gateway Control Protocol, a standard interface for
MGCs to communicate to Media Gateway and Terminals
for call control and answer supervision. MGCP is
the equivalent of a "line side" protocol in the
PSTN and provides basic telephony services to embedded
media elements.
|
| MHz |
Megahertz |
|
More
Specific Route
|
Description
of route hierarchies based on Route Set theory.
A route Y is said to be more specific than X if
every destination in Y is also a destination in
X. For example, for a given city code, X may only
specify routes down to the city code level, while
Y specifies routes down to the NPxx level.
|
|
MTC
|
Message
Transport Card, the core network interface element
in the SS8 Signaling Server.
|
|
MTP
|
Message
Transfer Part, the physical layer control segments
of SS7. MTP contains three layers that define circuit
mapping, location identifiers, and physical connectivity
in the PSTN.
|
|
NE
|
Network
Element, a generic term for a server or component
in a network.
|
|
NMS
|
Network
Management System, a platform that provides centralized
alarm and configuration across multiple network
elements. An NMS, such as HP OpenView, typically
runs protocols such as SNMP as standard interfaces
for alarming and system control.
|
| NSP |
Network
service provider |
|
OAMP
|
Operations
Administration Maintenance and Provisioning, a generic
term for overall system management and control (also
referred to as "back office") functions for a network.
|
| OCx
/ OC-1 / 0C-2 / OC-3 |
The
Synchronous Optical Network (Synchronous Optical Network)
includes a set of signal rate multiples for transmitting
digital signals on optical fiber. The base rate (OC-1)
is 51.84 Mbps. OC-2 runs at twice the base rate, OC-3
at three times the base rate, and so forth. Planned
rates include OC-1, OC-3 (155.52 Mbps), OC-12 (622.08
Mpbs), and OC-48 (2.488 Gbps). asynchronous transfer
mode makes use of some of the Optical Carrier levels. |
|
OID
|
Object
Identifier in system code. An OID is a logical modular
entity in an application.
|
|
Open
Settlement Protocol (OSP)
|
An
XML-based MIME format for least cost routing and
settlement messages between ITADs. Proposed in the
ETSI as a standard for call accounting and settlement
for IP bilateral partners and Clearinghouses.
|
|
OSS
|
Operations
Support System is a core element of an OAMP infrastructure
in a network, providing the basic service logic
for system control and management.
|
|
P2P
|
Peer-to-peer
is a communications model in which each party has
the same capabilities and either party can initiate
a communication session. Other models with which
it might be contrasted include the client/server
model and the master/slave model. In some cases,
peer-to-peer communications is implemented by giving
each communication node both server and client capabilities.
In recent usage, peer-to-peer has come to describe
applications in which users can use the Internet
to exchange files with each other directly or through
a mediating server.
|
| Packet-switched |
Refers
to protocols in which messages are divided into packets
before they are sent. Each packet is then transmitted
individually and can even follow different routes
to its destination. Once all the packets forming a
message arrive at the destination, they are recompiled
into the original message. |
| Parallel
search |
A
search process based on Location Services in which
a SIP proxy issues concurrent requests to several
possible user locations upon receiving an incoming
request. Rather than issuing sequential requests and
waiting for responses, a parallel search issues requests
without waiting for the result of previous requests.
|
|
Parlay
|
A
proposed standard API for service creation at the
edge of the network. Initially proposed by a group
of carriers including British Telecom, Parlay is
built on the concept of allowing third parties to
access network components with their own applications
rather than having to rely solely on network-based
control logic.
|
| PBX |
Private
branch exchange |
|
Peers
|
A
TRIP term referring to Location Server relationships.
Two LSs are peers if they share a logical association
(a transport connection). If the LSs are in the
same ITAD, they are internal peers. Otherwise, they
are external peers.
|
|
Preferred
Reachable Number (PRN)
|
A
PRN is the master numeric address for a user or
network element. The PRN uniquely identifies a subscriber's
service profile and features. While multiple addresses
can be used to reach a subscriber, the PRN is the
"first choice" number and is used to identify the
subscriber for service profile and billing. The
PRN is also referred to as Assigned Virtual Number
(AVN).
|
| PRI |
In
the Integrated Services Digital Network (Integrated
Services Digital Network), there are two levels of
service: the Basic Rate Interface (BRI), intended
for the home and small enterprise, and the Primary
Rate Interface (Primary Rate Interface in ISDN), for
larger users. Both rates include a number of B-channel
and a D-channel. The B channels carry data, voice,
and other services. The D channel carries control
and signaling information. The Basic Rate Interface
consists of two 64 Kbps B channels and one 16 Kbps
D channel. Thus, a Basic Rate user can have up to
128 Kbps service. The Primary Rate consists of 23
B channels and one 64 Kpbs D channel using a T-1 line
or 30 B channels and 1 D channel using an E1 line.
Thus, a Primary Rate user on a T-1 line can have up
to 1.544 Mbps service or up to 2.048 Mbps service
on an E1 line. PRI uses the Q.931 protocol over the
D channel. The Primary Rate channels are carried on
a T-carrier system line (in the U.S., Canada, and
Japan) or an E-carrier line (in other countries) and
are typically used by medium to large enterprises.
The 23 (or 30) B channels can be used flexibly and
reassigned when necessary to meet special needs such
as videoconferences. The Primary Rate user is hooked
up directly to the telephone company central office. |
|
Provisional
Response
|
For
SIP transactions, a Provisional Response is equivalent
to a Call Progress Indicator in the PSTN. A provisional
response is issues by a server to indicate progress
without finalizing the transaction. 1xx responses
are provisional, while other responses are considered
final.
|
|
Proxy
Agent
|
Master
SNMP Agent that routes SNMP requests.
|
|
Proxy,
proxy server
|
In
SIP networks, a Proxy is an intermediary signaling
application that acts as both a server and a client
in making requests on behalf of other clients. Requests
are serviced internally or by passing them on, possibly
after translation, to other servers. A proxy interprets,
and, if necessary, rewrites a request message before
forwarding it.
|
|
Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
or Global Switched Telephone Network (GSTN)
|
The
traditional circuit-switched telephone network that
operates worldwide for basic telephony services.
|
|
Redirect
server
|
In
SIP networks, a Redirect Server performs address
translation functions. The Redirect Server accepts
requests, maps the addresses into zero or more new
addresses, and returns the request to the client.
Unlike a proxy server, it does not initiate its
own SIP requests. Unlike a user agent server, it
does not accept calls.
|
|
Registrar
|
In
SIP networks, a Registrar controls element registration
and accepts REGISTER messages from clients. A registrar
is typically co-located with a proxy or redirect
server and may also offer location services.
|
|
Request
for Comments (RFC)
|
An
RFC is typically issued as part of the standards
development process within organizations like the
ITU and IETF. An RFC is a draft proposal that other
members are invited to comment on and modify.
|
|
Ringback
|
Ringback
is the signaling tone produced by the Calling Party
client, indicating that a called party is being
alerted (ringing).
|
| Router |
On
the Internet, a router is a device or, in some cases,
software in a computer, that determines the next network
point to which a packet should be forwarded toward
its destination. The router is connected to at least
two networks and decides which way to send each information
packet based on its current understanding of the state
of the networks it is connected to. A router is located
at any gateway (where one network meets another),
including each Internet point-of-presence. A router
is often included as part of a network switch. A router
may create or maintain a table of the available routes
and their conditions and use this information along
with distance and cost algorithms to determine the
best route for a given packet. Typically, a packet
may travel through a number of network points with
routers before arriving at its destination. Routing
is a function associated with the Network layer (layer
3) in the standard model of network programming, the
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. A layer-3
switch is a switch that can perform routing functions.
An edge router is a router that interfaces with an
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. |
| RTCP |
Real-time
control protocol |
| RTP |
Real-time
protocol |
|
Session
Description Protocol (SDP)
|
A
format for describing the properties of a media
session, including its IP address(es), port(s),
and media type(s).
|
|
Server
|
In
a SIP network, a Server is a generic term for a
network element that controls service logic and
addressing. A Server can be a Proxy, Redirect, Registrar,
or User Agent.
|
|
Service
Control Point (SCP)
|
The
core service logic platform for the Intelligent
Network. An SCP consists of a data repository (for
number look ups, subscriber data, and network element
location) and an application set that accesses that
data. SCPs provide services such as 0800, LNP, and
Voice VPN to SS7 networks.
|
|
Service
Creation Environment (SCE)
|
An
SCE is the core application development engine for
a network platform. An SCE allows an operator to
customize or change application logic and create
new features on a platform. On the SS8 Networks
Service Controller, a robust Java-based SCE allows
service providers to build new applications and
customized user interfaces quickly and easily.
|
|
Service
Logic Execution Environment (SLEE)
|
The
SLEE defines the core rules for application development
and service creation on a network platform.
|
|
Service
Logic Program (SLP) or Service Order
|
An
interaction between a user and the network that
defines the service parameters and features associated
with a subscriber. An SLP is typically created upon
session initiation and is carried through the remainder
of the transaction.
|
|
Service
Order Form (SOF)
|
An
SOF collects subscriber information in order to
provision the user as a network participant. An
SOF collects subscription data and is used to generate
an SLP.
|
|
Service
Management System (SMS)
|
An
SMS is the core feature controller and management
application for service provisioning in the SS8
Network.
|
|
Service
Logic Template (SLT)
|
An
SLT is a master group of service streams that is
created by the network operator in order to group
SLPs. An SLT is created by sequencing, chaining
and rejoining SIBBs. Each SLT is a core representation
of a service, while each SLP is one instance of
an SLT.
|
|
Service
Profile
|
A
generic term for a set of features and rules associated
with a User. A Service Profile can consist of available
services, valid destination addresses, and Service
Level Agreements (SLAs).
|
|
Session
|
A
generic term for a multimedia transaction in a SIP
network. A Session consists of one or more network
elements exchanging media. If SDP is used, a session
is defined by the combination of the user name,
session id, network type, address type and address
elements.
|
|
Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP)
|
The
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an application-layer
control protocol, based on HTTP, proposed by the
IETF and established as a leading signaling standard
for multimedia and VoIP transactions. SIP allows
network elements to establish, modify and terminate
multimedia sessions or calls with a series of simple
text-based messages. SIP can be used by intelligent
endpoints to participate in sessions, and also by
network server elements to exchange information.
|
|
SIP
Transaction
|
A
SIP transaction occurs between a client and a server
and is comprised of the Initial Request, and any
responses to that request (including INVITE, BYE,
and ACK.)
|
| SOHO |
Small-office/home-office |
|
Signal
Transfer Point (STP)
|
In
an SS7 network, an STP serves as a signaling aggregator,
concentrating SS7 messages between groups of switches
(SSPs) and the control logic from the SCPs and Intelligent
Peripherals.
|
|
Signal
Switching Point (SSP)
|
A
logical endpoint in an SS7 network (such as a Class
5 or Class 4 switch).
|
|
Simple
Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
|
SNMP
is the dominant protocol for device control and
alarming in network management systems. SNMP consists
of configuration and status requests (SET/GET) and
alarms (Traps). Several versions of SNMP have been
developed - from the initial release SNMPv1, to
advanced releases v2 and v3.
|
|
Softswitch
|
A
softswitch (a.k.a. call agent, call server or media
gateway controller) is a device that provides, at
a minimum:
-
Intelligence
that controls connection services for a media
gateway, and/or native IP endpoints.
-
The
ability to select processes that can be applied
to a call.
-
Routing
for a call within the network based on signaling
and customer database information.
-
The
ability to transfer control of the call to another
network element.
-
Interfaces
to and supports management functions such as
provisioning, fault, billing, et.
|
|
SMI
|
Structure
of Management Information
|
| SONET |
Synchronous
optical network |
|
SRT
|
Service
Routing Table
|
|
SS7
|
SS7/Signaling
System 7 is an overlay signaling network that controls
network elements, call setup, and service logic
for the PSTN. SS7 consists of several "parts" -
MTP for circuit mapping (physical layer), ISUP for
call control (transaction layer), and TCAP/SCCP
for network identity (service layer).
|
|
SS8
Network
|
A
next-generation network powered by the flexibility
of IP and the performance of traditional SS7. An
SS8 Network is a virtual signaling network interconnected
by SS8 SignalingSwitches and empowered by SS8 ServiceControllers.
|
|
SS8
SignalingSwitch
|
The
communications industry's leading platform for intelligent
call control, routing and multi-protocol signaling
mediation. The SS8 SignalingSwitch provides greatly
enhanced system scale to SoftSwitch networks as
well as creates the foundation for next-generation
enhanced services - from One Number services to
enhanced roaming and end-user service control.
|
|
SS8
SignalingSwitch LS
|
The
core routing module on the SS8 SignalingSwitch,
the LS knows which gateways can terminate calls
on the GSTN and dynamically sets rules for how calls
are sent through the network. The LS is a principal
component of TRIP, and is sometimes also known as
the "TRIP speaker".
|
|
Sub
Agent
|
In
SNMP, a Sub Agent is a secondary network management
element that receives and responds to requests from
the Proxy Agent.
|
| T1 |
A
type of circuit for interconnecting telephone central
offices or customers |
|
Transport
Adaptor Layer Interface (TALI)
|
TALI
is an SS7 extension protocol that provides a set
of customized service extensions for traditional
network elements.
|
|
TCAP
|
Transaction
Capability Application Part, which defines the service
logic and application layers of SS7. TCAP is the
core signaling element for enhanced service delivery
between SCPs and SSPs, including number translation
(for LNP, Toll Free, VPN) and network service identity
for enhanced subscriber features.
|
| TDM |
Time
division multiplexing |
| TFTP |
Abbreviation
of Trivial File Transfer Protocol, a simple form of
the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). TFTP uses the User
Datagram Protocol (UDP)and provides no security features.
It is often used by servers to boot diskless workstations,
Xterminals, and routers. |
|
Technical
Service Description (TSD)
|
A
TSD is a detailed specification of a service or
application that defines core network components,
service logic, and application execution parameters.
|
|
Telecommunications
Management Network (TMN)
|
A
set of protocols for monitoring and managing telephony
networks. TMN is a framework for providing management
for a more specific group of communications network
parameters than that available by generic management
protocols such as SNMP.
|
|
Telephony
Routing Information Base (TRIB)
|
In
TRIP-enabled networks, the TRIB is the core data
repository for reachable telephony destinations.
The TRIB is controlled by the Location Server and
accessed for optimal route determination based on
subscriber, destination, and network parameters.
|
|
Telephony
Routing Information Protocol (TRIP)
|
TRIP
is a core protocol for routing of telephony traffic
between IP and PSTN network components. Proposed
in the IETF, TRIP creates routing rules and determines
optimal telephony destinations, attributes, and
call paths. TRIP also provides standardized routing
logic between independent networks. TRIP can be
used to manage routing tables for multiple protocols
(SIP, H323, etc.).
|
|
TRIP
Destination
|
In
TRIP, a Destination is an addressable entity for
routing transactions. A given Destination is defined
by a set of addresses (an address family and address
prefix), and an application protocol (SIP, H323,
etc).
|
|
Universal
Service Model (USM)
|
The
core service architecture in the SS8 Network, providing
high performance, scaleable network services and
signaling to VoIP network components. The SS8 ServiceSwitch
consists of SS8 SignalingSwitch, Call Model and
Service Logic Execution Environment.
|
|
Upstream
|
Upstream/downstream
denotes the direction of a message or media stream
in a SIP transaction. Upstream responses are sent
from the User Agent Server (UAS) to the user agent
client (UAC). Downstream r |
