Glossary of Terms

Asterisk - Implementation of PBX on whose backbone our system is built

AGI - [Asterisk Gateway Plan] - Interface through which external programs control the dialplan

BRI [Basic Rate Interface] - ISDN configuration made out of 2 voice/data channels and 1 signalling channel

CLI [Command Line Interface] - Interface for interacting with the system using a command line

CSV [Comma Separated Value] - File format where columns are separated by comma ',' and rows by new line

DHCP [Dynamic Hosts Configuration Protocol] - Protocol for assigning different IP address to a device any time it connects to a network

DID [Direct Inward Dial] - Inbound line for dialing system destinations directly without the need for an operator

DNS [Domain Name Service] - Service which translates Internet domain names into IP addresses

DTMF [Dual Tone Multi Frequency] - A specific frequency consisting of two separate tones sent by UAD/Phone each time a key is pressed

DynDNS [Dynamic Domain Name Service] - Service used by clients on dynamic IP addresses which allows them to be contacted regardless of their current IP address

E.164 - Up to 15 digits international public telecommunication numbering plan. It consists of $COUNTRY_CODE + $NATIONAL_CODE + $SUBSCRIBER_NUMBER

IAX [Inter-Asterisk eXchange protocol] - Protocol for server-server or server-client connection

ISDN [Integrated Services Digital Network] - Digital voice and data transmission system over telephone wires

IVR [Interactive Voice Response] - System that manages incoming calls by playing available options and catching user response (pressed digit)

LAN [Local Area Network] - Communications network limited to immediate area

LCR [Least Cost Routing] - Diverts the calls to destination via the cheapest provider

WAN [Wide Area Network] - Geographically dispersed telecommunications network

MAC [Media Access Control] - Unique code (fingerprint) assigned with network devices

NAT [Network Address Translation] - IP packets rewriting technique used by multiple hosts on a private network to access Internet using a single IP address

PBX [Private Branch Exchange] - A smaller version of telephone company switch

PIN [Personal Identification Number] - Four digit security code required for accessing restricted system parts such as Voicemail, Enhanced Services, Conferences etc...

POSTFIX - Mail Transfer Agent used for routing/sending of system emails

PSTN [Public Switched Telephone Network] - The traditional, plain old telephony system

PRI [Primary Rate Interface] - ISDN configuration made out of 23/30 voice data channels and 1 signalling channel

RTP [Real-time transport protocol] - Internet standard for transporting real-time data (audio and video)

SIP [Session Initiated Protocol/Session Initiation Protocol] - Signaling protocol for Internet telephony

SMTP [Simple Mail Transfer Protocol] - Protocol used to send and receive email

UAD [User Agent Device] -Telephone

TTL [Time to Live] - Time in milliseconds system will wait for the response

Zaptel - Computer telephony hardware driver