Glossary

A

AAA

Authentication, Authorization, Accounting.

ARQ

Admission Request (H.323)

Access Gateway

A gateway that supports both bearer traffic and signaling traffic. For example, a gateway that terminates ISDN is an access gateway.

Access list

A list kept by routers to control access to or from the router for a number of services (for example, to prevent packets with a certain IP address from leaving a particular interface on the router).

ANI

Automatic Number Identification. SS7 (signaling system 7) feature in which a series of digits, either analog or digital, are included in the call, identifying the telephone number of the calling device. In other words, ANI identifies the number of the calling party.

B

BAMS

Billing and Measurement Server. An OEM product (from AceComm) integrated with the VSC/SC2200 element management components.

C

CAS

Channel-Associated Signaling. The transmission of signaling information within the voice channel. CAS signaling often is referred to as robbed-bit signaling because user bandwidth is being robbed by the network for other purposes.

CCS

Common Channel Signaling. Signaling system used in telephone networks that separates signaling information from user data. A specified channel is exclusively designated to carry signaling information for all other channels in the system.

CDR

Call Detail Record.

CEMF

Cisco Element Management Framework.

CIC

Cisco Info Center. A Cisco application that is a Service-Level Management system that collects event streams or messages from many different data sources and then provides a consolidated view of the events and status information.

Cisco PTC

Cisco Packet Telephony Center.

CLEC

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier. A company that builds and operates communication networks in metropolitan areas and provides its customers with an alternative to the local telephone company.

CLI

Command Line Interpreter. The basic Cisco IOS configuration and management interface.

CMNM

Cisco Media Gateway Controller (MGC) Node Manager. The management system providing fault, performance, and security management for the VSC3000 (MGC) node.

CNS

Cisco Networking Services.

CO

Central Office.

Community string

Text string that acts as a password and is used to authenticate messages sent between a management station and a router containing an SNMP agent. The community string is sent in every packet between the manager and the agent. Also called a community name.

CORBA

Common Object Request Broker Architecture. OMG's answer to the need for interoperability among the rapidly proliferating number of hardware and software products available today. Simply stated, CORBA allows applications to communicate with one another no matter where they are located or who has designed them.

COT

Continuity Test. Requirement of the SS7 protocol specifications. It tests the bearer channels' status using either loopback or tone detection and generation. Used to test individual DS0 channels via either loopback or tone detection and generation.

CSR

Carrier Sensitive Router Server.

CW

Call Waiting.

CW2K

Cisco Works 2000 application.

D

DAS

Data Acquisition Server. This was an earlier name of the Cisco CNS Performance Engine application.

DGK

Directory Gatekeeper. A gatekeeper that is configured to accept LRQ forwarding. With a directory gatekeeper, individual gatekeepers need not know about other gatekeepers. Instead, a gatekeeper consults its routing table, which provides a default route to a directory gatekeeper. This directory gatekeeper is more knowledgeable about the topology of the network and can forward messages over to the proper egress gatekeeper. The egress gatekeeper can then contact the originating gatekeeper to complete the call setup.

DNIS

Dialed Number Identification Service. Also known as Called Number.

DNS

Directory Name Service or Domain Name System.

DS0

A 64kbps digital TDM channel used for carrying a single POTS call.

DSP

Digital Signal Processor. Typical DSP functions include Data Modems, Voice CODECS, Fax Modems and CODECS, and low-level signaling (such as CAS/R2).

E

EMS

Element Management System.

F

FCAPS

Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security.

FOA

First Office Application.

G

GK

Gatekeeper. H.323 entity on a LAN that provides address translation and control access to the LAN for H.323 terminals and gateways. The gatekeeper can provide other services to the H.323 terminals and gateways, such as bandwidth management and locating gateways. A gatekeeper maintains a registry of devices in the multimedia network. The devices register with the gatekeeper at startup and request admission to a call from the gatekeeper.

GKTMP

Gatekeeper Transaction Message Protocol. A Cisco-proprietary protocol which allows third-party applications to influence the operation of the IOS GK.

GTD

Generic Transparency Descriptor. Parameters on a Q.931/RLM Signaling Path.

GUI

Graphical User Interface. A user environment that uses pictorial as well as textual representations of the input and the output of applications and the hierarchical or other data structure in which information is stored. Such conventions as buttons, icons, and windows are typical, and many actions are performed using a pointing device (such as a mouse). Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh are prominent examples of platforms using a GUI.

GW

Gateway. In the IP community, an older term referring to a routing device. Today, the term router is used to describe nodes that perform this function, and gateway refers to a special-purpose device that performs an application-layer conversion of information from one protocol stack to another.

H

H.323

H.323 allows dissimilar communication devices to communicate with each other by using a standardized communication protocol. H.323 defines a common set of CODECs, call setup and negotiating procedures, and basic data transport methods.

HSRP

Hot Standby Routing Protocol. Provides high network availability and transparent network topology changes. HSRP creates a Hot Standby router group with a lead router that services all packets sent to the Hot Standby address. The lead router is monitored by other routers in the group, and if it fails, one of these standby routers inherits the lead position and the Hot Standby group address.

HTML

Hypertext Markup Language. Simple hypertext document formatting language that uses tags to indicate how a given part of a document should be interpreted by a viewing application, such as a Web browser.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The protocol used by Web browsers and Web servers to transfer files, such as text and graphic files.

I

IDL

Interface Definition Language.

IE2100

Cisco Intelligence Engine 2100 Series appliance.

IETF

Internet Engineering Task Force. The main standards organization for the Internet.

ILEC

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier. Traditional telephone company. In the U.S., the Regional Bell Operation Companies (RBOCs) that were formed after the divestiture of AT&T and the Independent Operating Companies (IOCs) that usually are located in more rural areas or single cities are ILECs. In other areas of the world, ILECs are the Post, Telephone, and Telegraphs (PTTs), government-managed monopolies.

IMGW

Intelligent Modular Gateway.

IMT

Inter-machine Trunk.

IOS

Cisco's Internetwork Operating System. Cisco system software that provides common functionality, scalability, and security for all products under the CiscoFusion architecture. Cisco IOS allows centralized, integrated, and automated installation and management of internetworks while ensuring support for a wide variety of protocols, media, services, and platforms.

IP Address

32-bit address assigned to hosts using TCP/IP. An IP address belongs to one of five classes (A, B, C, D, or E) and is written as 4 octets separated by periods (dotted decimal format). Each address consists of a network number, an optional subnetwork number, and a host number. The network and subnetwork numbers together are used for routing, and the host number is used to address an individual host within the network or subnetwork. A subnet mask is used to extract network and subnetwork information from the IP address. CIDR provides a new way of representing IP addresses and subnet masks. Also called an Internet address.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. Communication protocol offered by telephone companies that permits telephone networks to carry data, voice, and other source traffic.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. Company that provides Internet access to other companies and individuals.

ITU

International Telecommunication Union. An organization established by the United Nations to set international telecommunications standards and to allocate frequencies for specific uses.

IVR

Interactive Voice Response. Term used to describe systems that provide information in the form of recorded messages over telephone lines in response to user input in the form of spoken words or, more commonly, DTMF signaling. Examples include banks that allow you to check your balance from any telephone and automated stock quote systems.

IXC

Inter-Exchange Carrier. A regulated US class 4 carrier that is often a wholesale customer.

J

JNDI

Java Naming and Directory Interface.

JVM

Java Virtual Machine.

L

LAPD

Link Access Procedure, D-Channel. ISDN data link layer protocol for the D channel. LAPD was derived from the LAPB protocol and is designed primarily to satisfy the signaling requirements of ISDN basic access.

LATA

Local Access Transport Area. Geographic telephone dialing area serviced by a single local telephone company. Calls within LATAs are called local calls.

LDAP

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. Protocol that provides access for management and browser applications that provide read/write interactive access to the X.500 Directory.

LEC

Local Exchange Carrier. A telephone company that provides customer access to the world-wide public switched network through one of its central offices.

LNP

Local Number Portability.

M

MCG

Media CORBA Gateway.

MG

Media Gateway. Transfers calls between a TDM network or TDM network devices and a packet data network.

MGC

Media Gateway Controller. Another term for a Call Agent.

MGX

MGX 8xxx Series Voice Gateways (includes 8850, 8230, 8250).

MIB

Management Information Base.

MML

Man Machine Language (CLI interface used in the SC2200). Industry standard command line language used to manage telecommunications network elements.

MTP

Message Transfer Part. Layers 1 (physical), 2 (data), and 3 (network) of the SS7 signaling protocol.

N

NANP

North American Numbering Plan.

NAS

Network Access Server. A Cisco platform or collection of platforms, such as, an AccessPath system which interfaces between the packet world (for example, the Internet) and the circuit world (for example, the PSTN).

NE

Network Element. In general, an NE is a combination hardware and software system that is designed primarily to perform a telecommunications service function. For example, an NE is the part of the network equipment where a transport entity (such as a line, a path, or a section) is terminated and monitored.

NFAS

Non-Facility Associated Signaling. A classification of signalling protocols that provide the signalling channel in a separate physical line from the bearer channels.

NMS

Network Management System. System responsible for managing at least part of a network. An NMS is generally a reasonably powerful and well-equipped computer, such as an engineering workstation. NMSs communicate with agents to help keep track of network statistics and resources.

NN

National Number. Part of a numbering plan.

NOC

Network Operations Center. Organization responsible for maintaining a network.

NPA

Numbering Plan Area. The area code of a North American Dialing Plan number.

NTP

Network Time Protocol. Protocol built on top of TCP that ensures accurate local time-keeping with reference to radio and atomic clocks located on the Internet. This protocol is capable of synchronizing distributed clocks within milliseconds over long time periods.

O

QAM&P

Operation, Administration, Management, & Provisioning. Provides the facilities and the personnel required to manage a network.

OPT

Open Packet Telephony.

OSP

Open Settlements Protocol. A Cisco Gateway feature used for inter-carrier call authorization and settlement.

OSS

Operation Support System. Network management system supporting a specific management function, such as alarm surveillance and provisioning, in a carrier network. Many OSSs are large centralized systems running on mainframes or minicomputers.

P

POP

Point of Presence. A location where two services providers (for example, an ISP and a LEC) co-locate and interconnect equipment.

POTS

Plain Old Telephony Service. General term referring to the variety of telephone networks and services in place worldwide.

PRI

Primary Rate Interface referring to ISDN.

PSTN

Public Switched Telephone Network. General term referring to the variety of telephone networks and services in place worldwide. Sometimes called POTS.

PTT

Post, Telephone, Telegraph. A government-mandated and/or operated national telephony carrier.

Q

QOS

Quality of Service.

R

R1

A type of Channel-Associated Signaling (CAS) used widely in places other than North America.

R2

A type of CAS used widely in places other than North America.

RADIUS

Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service. IETF based protocol for AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) services. Database for authenticating modem and ISDN connections and for tracking connection time.

RAI

Resource Availability Indication—reported by the H.323 Gateway to the Gatekeepers. Critical for selecting a terminating Gateway with resources available, used for load balancing.

RAS

H.225 Registration, Admission, and Status protocol. Protocol that is used between endpoints and the gatekeeper to perform management functions. The RAS signaling function performs registration, admissions, bandwidth changes, status, and disengagement procedures between the VoIP gateway and the gatekeeper.

RBAC

Role Based Access Control. Form of identity-based access control where the system entities that are identified and controlled are functional positions in an organization or process.

RBOC

Regional Bell operating company. Seven regional telephone companies formed by the breakup of AT&T. RBOCs differ from RBHCs in that RBOCs do not cross state boundaries.

RLM

Redundant Link Manager—used to transport the Q.931 messages from the SC2200 to the Gateway in an SS7 POP.

RTP

Real-Time Transport Protocol. Commonly used with IP networks. RTP is designed to provide end-to-end network transport functions for applications transmitting real-time data, such as audio, video, or simulation data, over multicast or unicast network services. RTP provides such services as payload type identification, sequence numbering, timestamping, and delivery monitoring to real-time applications.

RTSP

Real-Time Streaming Protocol. Enables the controlled delivery of real-time data, such as audio and video. Sources of data can include both live data feeds, such as live audio and video, and stored content, such as pre-recorded events. RTSP is designed to work with established protocols, such as RTP and HTTP.

RUDP

Reliable User Data Protocol.

S

SC

Signaling Controller.

SC2200

Signaling Controller that converts SS7 messages to a backhauled NI-2 protocol messages and backhauls them to Media Gateways.

SDK

Software Development Kit.

servlet

A single Java class that implements javax.servlet.Servlet. The Web server equivalent is a file.

servlet repository

A collection of servlets. It may be a directory, or a class archive (zip or jar files). The Web server equivalent is a directory.

servlet zone

A collection of repositories. The Web server equivalent is a virtual host.

SG

Signaling Gateway. Gateway that supports only signaling traffic (no bearer traffic.) For example, a gateway that terminates SS7 A-links is a signaling gateway.

SIP

Session Initiation Protocol.

SLT

Signaling Link Termination. Done with a "Nomad" 2600 box capable of terminating SS7 at the MTP2 layer and backhauling MTP3 and up to the SC2200 or VSC.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol. Network management protocol used almost exclusively in TCP/IP networks. SNMP provides a means to monitor and control network devices, and to manage configurations, statistics collection, performance, and security.

SS7

Signaling System 7. Standard CCS system used with BISDN and ISDN. Developed by Bellcore.

SSP

Service Switching Point. An element of an SS7-based Intelligent Network that performs call origination, termination, or tandem switching.

STP

Signal Transfer Point. An element of an SS7-based Intelligent Network that performs routing of the SS7 signaling.

T

T1 CAS

Channel Associated Signaling in T1. Also known as Robbed Bit Signaling.

TACACS+

Terminal Access Controller Access Control System.

TCA

Threshold Crossing Alert. A trap message sent from the CNS-Performance Engine to the Cisco Info Center indicating a condition is a network element that exceeds a preconfigured level.

TCL

Application scripting language implemented in the IOS gateways. Used in this product to create calling card applications; provide special call control programmability to the service provider.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Common name for the suite of protocols developed by the U.S. DoD in the 1970s to support the construction of worldwide internetworks. TCP and IP are the two best-known protocols in the suite.

TDM

Time Division Multiplexing. Transmission scheme employed by all types of digital circuits in the PSTN.

Telnet

Standard terminal emulation protocol in the TCP/IP protocol stack. Telnet is used for remote terminal connection, enabling users to log in to remote systems and use resources as if they were connected to a local system.

TFTP

Trivial file transfer protocol. Simplified version of FTP that allows files to be transferred from one computer to another over a network, usually without the use of client authentication (for example, username and password).

TMN

Telecommunication Management Network. ITU-T generic model for transporting and processing OAM&P information for a telecommunications network.

TGW

Trunking gateway. A gateway that supports only bearer traffic termination without PSTN signaling involved.

U

UDP

User Datagram Protocol. Connectionless transport layer protocol in the TCP/IP protocol stack.

V

VCG

Voice CORBA Gateway.

VRC

Cisco Voice Routing Center. A Cisco application that is used to help service providers manage dial plans for H.323 based VoIP networks.

VoATM

Voice over ATM. The ability to carry normal telephony-style voice over an ATM-based network with POTs link functionality, reliability, and voice quality.

VoIP

Voice over IP. The capability to carry normal telephony-style voice over an IP-based internet with POTS-like functionality, reliability, and voice quality. VoIP enables a router to carry voice traffic (for example, telephone calls and faxes) over an IP network. In VoIP, the DSP segments the voice signal into frames, which then are coupled in groups of two and stored in voice packets. These voice packets are transported using IP in compliance with ITU-T specification H.323.

VOX

Voice over IP, Frame, ATM, IP over ATM, or some other voice/data convergent technology separate and distinct from traditional TDM.

VPN

Virtual Private Network for Voice. Calling between enterprises that have less than a full routable E.164 number and may have overlapping dialing plans.

VSA

Vendor-Specific Attribute. A non-standard attribute tag used by RADIUS. Cisco has defined many useful VSAs to enhance the gateway CDR format.

VSC

Virtual Switch Controller. Handles SS7 signaling conversion and is capable of controlling gateways through an MGCP.

VSPT

Voice Services Provisioning Tool. Part of the system used for provisioning the VSC or SC2200.

W

WV

Wholesale Voice.

WWW

World Wide Web. Large network of Internet servers providing hypertext and other services to terminals running client applications, such as a browser.

X

XML

eXtensible Markup Language. A standard maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It defines a syntax that lets you create markup languages to specify information structures. Information structures define the type of information, for example, subscriber name or address, not how the information looks (bold, italic, and so on). External processes can manipulate these information structures and publish them in a variety of formats. Text markup language designed to enable the use of SGML on the World Wide Web. XML allows you to define your own customized markup language.

X Terminal

Terminal that allows a user simultaneous access to several different applications and resources in a multivendor environment through implementation of X Windows.

Z

Zone

Collection of all terminals, gateways, and multipoint control units (MCUs) managed by a single gatekeeper. A zone includes at least one terminal, and can include gateways or MCUs. A zone has only one gatekeeper. A zone can be independent of LAN topology and can be comprised of multiple LAN segments connected using routers or other devices.

Zone prefix

A prefix that identifies the addresses to be serviced by a given gatekeeper. Zone prefixes are typically area codes and serve the same purpose as the domain names in the H.323-ID address space.