One of the goals of this blog is to educate you, the reader, regardless if you are a customer or not. If you do have a chance to work with Teltek, you will likely hear many technical terms that can leave you scratching your head. About a year and a half ago, then new employee and current Girl On Wire, Carrie Green wrote a blog titled “Tech Talk for Dummies” which was a glossary of telecommunication terms. This proved to be useful to her, being brand new to the industry, while being a great reference tool for you, the reader. Listed below are more terms (and their definitions) which you may encounter when working with one of Teltek’s team members. Keep in mind; we aim to explain everything in layman’s terms so that by the end of it all, you are left with more knowledge and a smile on your face.
Co-Location Center (Co-Lo) – Businesses rent space at a service provider’s location to store their personally owned IT infrastructure, such as a server. This decreases costs and often the co-location provider will also offer technical support for an addition fee. Compare this to storing your ‘67 Ford Mustang at a facility that will not only insure it and keep it free from damage and rust, but will also work on the engine to keep it in good running condition for a couple extra bucks per month.
Cloud Computing – Allows a business to lease IT infrastructure over the Internet. An example would be a remote server where the business would own the data but not the server or its location. The following 3 terms are all different aspects of Cloud:
- Software as a Service (SaaS) – This is where the consumer rents the use of
applications through a service provider instead of going through the hassle of
purchasing, installing, and operating the application.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) –deliver a computing platform and/or solution
stack as a service, often consuming cloud infrastructure and sustaining cloud
applications. It facilitates deployment of applications without the cost and
complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – delivers a computer infrastructure –
typically a platform virtualization environment – as a service, along with
raw (block) storage and networking. Rather than purchasing servers, software, data-
center space or network equipment, clients instead buy those resources as a fully
outsourced service. Suppliers typically bill such services on a utility computing
basis; the amount of resources consumed (and therefore the cost) will typically
reflect the level of activity.
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) – Any phone company providing local phone service that was already in existence when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was passed. Examples would be the Regional Bell Operating Companies or “Baby Bells”. These companies receive different regulatory treatment then CLECs (see following definition).
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) – Any phone company providing local phone service that competes with already established carriers (usually ILECs).
Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) – A device that connects cabling between end-user devices, such as computers (PCs), to the MDF.
Main Distribution Frame (MDF) – A device that connects all the cabling from the IDFs installed in a telecommunications facility to all of the cabling and equipment of the subscriber carrier at another location.
Hunt Group (a.k.a. Roll Over) – The distribution of phone calls from a single phone number to multiple phone lines. Think of ordering pizza on a busy Saturday night – if everyone is calling the same number and there was only one line, there is no way your order would ever be taken. This way, when you call and one line is already in use, your call is allowed to roll over to the next available line to place your order.
Out Pulse – The transmission of address information over the switchboard. This is essentially caller ID.
Single Duplex – sound travels in one direction at a time.
Full Duplex – sound travels in both directions
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) – Service provider equipment that is located at the customer site. Teltek can lease phone systems (see also our recent blog on our innovative “crash cart”) to our clients. Another common example of this would be your cable box or satellite dish at your house.
Communication as a Service (CaaS) – is an outsourcing model for enterprise communications. Such communications can include voice over IP, contact center applications, voice conferencing and more. The CaaS vendor is responsible for all hardware and software management and offers guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS). CaaS allows businesses to selectively deploy communications services and applications on a pay-as-you-go, as-needed basis.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) – A contract between a service provider and a consumer that details specific services the provider will supply.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCOs) – The calculation that allows the consumer to assess initial purchase price and the cost of the ongoing maintenance compared to the benefits related to the purchase. Think of it this way – would you buy a cheap car in poor condition simply because the price is right or a slightly more expensive car in good condition that is much less likely to break down?
Symmetrical Internet – Data travels at equally fast speeds or sends equal quantities of data across a network. This is less desirable for surfing the internet and day to day use for the average consumer.
Asymmetrical Internet – Data travels at unequal speeds or unequal quantities across a network. This is less desirable when using video conferencing and FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Burstable Internet – A consumer has the ability to summon super fast Internet via bandwidth burst; however, unless Burstable Internet means very little should the provider not define exactly how long the burst lasts, limitations, and availability.
Quality of Service (QoS) – requirements on all the aspects of a connection, such as service response time, loss, signal-to-noise ratio, cross-talk, echo, interrupts, frequency response, loudness levels, etc.
NIT – prioritizing the voice in front of data in VoIP applications
Power Over Ethernet (POE) – a system to pass electrical power safely, along with data, on Ethernet cabling.
Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) – refers to using one of the Ethernet computer network protocols between a telecommunications company and a customer’s premise. From the customer’s point of view it is their “first” mile, although from the access networks’ point of view it is known as the “last mile.”
Point of Presence (POP) – point where service connects back in a central office – all the houses in canton connect back to square or distribution point then to Lexington to main office
Managed POE Switch – someone manages a networking switch to keep it up to date
Letter of Authorization (LOA) – required for client to sign when there making changes on their phone and internet services- gives the 3rd party authorization to act on their behalf
Customer Service Record (CSR) – detailed overview of what type of service hey have, contact details, phone numbers on account, features, long distance packages, etc.
Direct Inward Dial Numbers (DID) – a service of a local phone company (or local exchange carrier) that provides a block of telephone numbers for calling into a company’s private branch exchange (PBX) system. Using DID, 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.
Firm Order Commitment (FOC) – term used to signify an installation date for telecommunication services such as a DSL, ISDN, or T1 line. Also used for number porting between service providers.
Cut Over Date/ Turn Up Date – when the service switches to one provider to another and the phone number physically moves
End User License Agreement (EULA) – agree to be bound to the terms and conditions of the software manufacturer.
This may be a little overwhelming to read in one sitting. Click here to download a PDF of this glossary, free for you to keep!
If you have any questions about this blog or anything regarding your phone system and cabling needs, please do not hesitate to call our office at 1-866-9-TELTEK.
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