Telecom

Glossary
edited by
Erin Malone
Chris Janson
1st edition
Publisher Acknowledgement:
This is the rst edition of this book. Please notify us of any
acronyms we may have missed by submitting them via the
form at www.ciena.com/glossary. We will be happy to in-
clude them in further editions of The Acronyms Guide.
For additional information on Cienas Carrier Ethernet or
Optical Communications Certication programs please contact
techcerts@ciena.com.
Table of Contents
A ....................................... 1
B ....................................... 2
C ....................................... 3
D ....................................... 5
E ....................................... 6
F........................................ 6
G ....................................... 7
H ....................................... 8
I ......................................... 8
J ........................................ 9
K ....................................... 9
L ........................................ 9
M .................................... 10
N ..................................... 11
O..................................... 12
P ..................................... 13
Q..................................... 14
R ..................................... 15
S...................................... 16
T ..................................... 17
U ..................................... 18
V ..................................... 18
W .................................... 19
X ..................................... 19
1
A
Add/Drop Allows optical wavelengths to be added or dropped at any line amplifier
location.
Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) A device that enables data to enter and leave a SONET
bit stream without having to demultiplex the stream.
ADSL (Full Rate Asymmetrical DSL) ADSL offers differing upload and download
speeds and can be configured to deliver up to six megabits of data per second (6000K),
from the network to the customer, that is up to 120 times faster than dial-up service and
100 times faster than ISDN. ADSL enables voice and high-speed data to be sent simul-
taneously over the existing telephone line. This type of DSL is the most predominant
in commercial use for business and residential customers around the world. Good for
general Internet access and for applications where downstream speed is most important,
such as video-on-demand. ITU-T Recommendation G.992.1 and ANSI Standard T1.413-
1998 specify full rate ADSL. ITU Recommendation G.992.3 specifies ADSL2 which pro-
vides advanced diagnostics, power saving functions, PSD shaping, and slightly better
performance than G.992.1. ITU Recommendation G.992.5 specifies ADSL2Plus, which
provides the benefits of ADSL2Plus twice the bandwidth so that bit rates as high as 20
Mb/s downstream can be achieved on relatively short lines.
AIS (Alarm Indication Signal) A signal, transmitted by a system within a communica-
tions link, which lets the receiver know that some part of the link has failed. Two types
of AIS signals are Alarm Indication Signal Path (AIS-P) and Alarm Indication Signal Line
(AIS-L).
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) The coordinating body for voluntary
standards groups within the United States. ANSI is a member of the International Stan-
dards Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Amplifier Any device that uses a small amount of energy to control a source of a larger
amount of energy.
Amplitude Modulation (AM) A form of modulation in which the amplitude of a carrier
wave is varied in direct proportion to that of a modulating signal.
Asynchronous Replication A replication technique in which data must be committed
to storage at only the primary site and not the secondary site before the write is ac-
knowledged to the host. Data is then forwarded to the secondary site as the network
capabilities permit.
Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) A serial data transmission method for MPEG-2
that allows packet-based transmission of compressed video in DTV transmission.
Asynchronous Transmission A method of data transmission which allows data bits to
be sent at irregular intervals by preceding each with a start bit, and following it with a
stop bit.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) A cell relay network protocol which encodes data
traffic into small fixed-sized (53 byte: 48 bytes of data and 5 bytes of header information)
cells instead of variable-sized packets, as found in packet-switched networks such as the
Internet Protocol or Ethernet. It is a connection-oriented technology, in which a connec-
tion is established between the two endpoints before the actual data exchange begins.
ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) A process that converts data between higher level pro-
tocols such as IP and ATM. At the originating end of an ATM connection, AAL segments
the higher level bundles of data into ATM cells. At the destination end of the connec-
2
tion, ATM reassembles the cells into the higher level bundles. AAL is divided into types,
which in turn support specific types of data traffic.
ATM Adaptation Layer 1 Circuit Emulation (AAL1) AAL that supports constant bit rate
traffic that cannot tolerate delays, such as uncompressed voice and video transmission.
ATM Adaptation Layer 2 Transport (AAL2) AAL that supports variable bit rate traffic
such as compressed voice and video.
ATM Adaptation Layer 5 (AAL5) AAL that supports variable bit rate traffic that can be
delayed.
ATM Service Access Multiplexer (ATM SAM) An ATM switch used by a service provider
to aggregate various forms of subscriber traffic (such as T1 or Ethernet) for transmission
over an ATM backbone.
Attenuation (1) Limited Operation (1) The condition in a fiber optic link where op-
eration is limited by the power of the received signal, rather than by bandwidth or by
distortion. (2) The decrease in magnitude of power of a signal in transmission between
points. A term used for expressing the total losses on an optical fiber consisting of
the ratio of light output to light input. Attenuation is usually measured in decibels per
kilometer (dB/km) at a specific wavelength. Typical multi-mode wavelengths are 850
and 1300 nanometers (nm); singlemode, at 1300 and 1500 nm. NOTE: When specifying
attenuation, it is important to note if it is nominal or average, room temperature, value
or maximum over operating range.
Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON) A network enabling the automatic
delivery of transport services, not only leased-line connections but also other transport
services, such as soft permanent and switched optical connections.
Automatically Switched Transport Network (ASTN) A network that allows traffic
paths to be set up automatically through a switched network. The term ASTN is often
used interchangeably with GMPLS (Generalized MPLS).
Availability The amount of time that a system is available during time periods when it is
expected to be available. Availability is often measured as a percentage of an elapsed
year. For example, 99.95% availability equates to 4.38 hours of downtime in a year
(0.0005 * 365 * 24=4.38) for a system that is expected to be available all the time.
(Provided by SNIA)
B
Backup A collection of data stored on (usually removable) non-volatile storage media
for purposes of recovery in case the original copy of data is lost or becomes inaccessible.
Also called backup copy. To be useful for recovery, a backup must be made by copying
the source data image when it is in a consistent state.
Backup Window An interval of time during which a set of data can be backed up
without seriously affecting applications that use the data. For example, if an applica-
tion accesses data from 8AM until midnight, then the window between midnight and
8AM is available for making backup copies. Offline backups require that applications
not update data during the backup. Online backups typically use point-in-time copy
technology to create consistent images of data for backup.
Backbone (1) The part of a network used as the primary path for transporting trafc
between network segments. (2) A high-speed line, or a series of connections, that forms
a major pathway within a network.
3
Bandwidth (1) Measure of the information capacity of a transmission channel. (2) The
difference between the highest and lowest frequencies of a band that can be passed
by a transmission medium without undue distortion, such as the AM band - 535 to
1705 kilohertz. (3) Information carrying capacity of a communication channel. Analog
bandwidth is the range of signal frequencies that can be transmitted by a communi-
cation channel or network. (4) A term used to indicate the amount of transmission or
processing capacity possessed by a system or a specific location in a system (usually a
network system).
Best Effort A class of service which does not guarantee delivery of packets, frames, or
datagrams, but for which the network, fabric, or interconnect makes every reasonable
delivery effort.
Bit Error Rate (BER) (1) Percentage of bits in a transmittal received in error. (2) The
number of coding violations detected in a unit of time, usually one second. (3) Specifies
expected frequency of errors and compares the ratio of incorrectly transmitted bits to
correctly transmitted bits. Also known as Bit Error Ratio.
Bits Per Second (b/ps) (1) The number of bits passing a point every second. The trans-
mission rate for digital information. (2) A measurement of how fast data is moved from
one place to another (i.e., a 28.8 modem can move 28,800 b/s).
Block The unit in which data is stored and retrieved on disk and tape devices. Blocks are
the atomic unit of data recognition (through a preamble and block header) and protec-
tion. A unit of application data from a single information category that is transferred
within a single sequence.
Broadband (1) The ability of a system to carry a multitude of signals simultaneously.
In data transmission, it denotes transmission facilities capable of handling frequencies
greater than those required for high-grade voice communications. The higher frequency
allows the carrying of several simultaneous channels. Broadband infers the use of a
service provider signal rather than direct modulation (i.e., baseband).
Buffer-to-Buffer Flow Control Flow control that occurs between two directly con-
nected Fibre Channel ports. A port indicates the number of frames buffers that can be
sent to it (its buffer credit), before the sender is required to stop transmitting and wait
for the receipt of a ready indication.
C
Cable Modem A modem used by a subscriber for high-speed network access over a
coaxial cable, such as those used traditionally to provide cable television service.
Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) Equipment used to provide high-speed
data services, such as cable Internet or Voice-over-IP, to cable subscribers.
Carrier A company that provides communications circuits. Carriers are either private
or common. A private carrier can refuse service. A common carrier cannot. Most
of the carriers in our industry (the local phone company, AT&T, MCI WorldCom, US,
Sprint, etc.) are common carriers. cf. Service Provider
Category 5 Cable (CAT 5) An unshielded, twisted-pair cable designed for high signal
integrity. The twisting of the cable reduces electrical interference, and the plastic insula-
tion has low dispersion, so the dielectric constant of the plastic does not depend greatly
on frequency.
Central Office (CO) (1) The place where common carriers, or service providers, termi-
nate customer lines and locate the switching equipment that interconnects those lines.
4
(2) A centralized location for the Switching, Transmission and Power equipment that
provide telephone service.
Channel (1) A communication path. Multiple channels can be multiplexed over a
single cable in certain environments. The term is also used to describe the specific path
between large computers and attached peripherals. (2) In the case of fiber optic-based
transmission systems, an electrical or photonic communications path, between two or
more points of termination. (3) The smallest subdivision of a circuit that provides a type
of communication service, usually a path with only one direction. (4) A communications
path, or the signal sent over that channel. Through multiplexing, several channels can
be transmitted over an optical channel.
Chromatic Dispersion Spreading of a light pulse caused by the difference in refractive
indices at different wavelengths.
Circuit A group of electronic components and their interconnections.
Class of Service (CoS) A queuing discipline in which an algorithm compares fields of
packets or CoS tags to classify packets and assign them to queues of differing priority.
CoS does not ensure network performance or guarantee priority in delivering packets.
Client An intelligent device or system that requests services from other intelligent de-
vices, systems or appliances. cf. Server. An asymmetric relationship with a second party
(a server) in which the client initiates requests and the server responds to those requests.
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) WDM systems with fewer than
eight active wavelengths.
Common Language Equipment Identification (CLEI) A code used to identify equip-
ment.
Common Language Location Identifier (CLLI) A code used to identify a building or
site.
Collocation Multiple service providers sharing a single facility for housing physical net-
work equipment are said to be collocated. In deregulated telecommunications markets,
competing service providers often need to share (indeed, may be required by law to
share) a number of physical facilities, such as a central office building and long distance
trunks. Typically, established incumbent service providers are required to share their
existing facilities with newer competitive service providers. The fact of collocation may
limit the amount of space available to a service provider in a given facility, making it
desirable for the service provider to fit a large amount of equipment in a comparatively
small space.
Compression The process of encoding data to reduce its size. Lossless compression
utilizes a technique that preserves the entire content of the original data, and from which
the original data can be reconstructed exactly.
Concatenation A mechanism for allocating very large amounts of bandwidth for trans-
port of a payload associated with a superrate service, which is a service at a transmis-
sion rate greater than the normal maximum rate of OC-1. The set of bits in the payload
is treated as a single entity, as opposed to being treated as separate bits or bytes or
time slots. Therefore, the payload is accepted, multiplexed, switched, transported and
delivered as a single, contiguous chunk of payload data.
5
D
Data Communications Equipment (DCE) In a data station, the equipment that pro-
vides the signal conversion and coding between the data terminal equipment (DTE) and
the line. The DCE may be separate equipment, intermediate equipment, or an integral
part of the DTE. A DCE may perform other functions usually performed at the network
end of the line.
Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specification (DoCSIS) An international standard
which defines the communications and operation-support interface requirements for
a data-over-cable system. Also permits the addition of high-speed data transfer to an
existing cable TV system.
Data Rate The number of bits of information transmitted per second, as in a data trans-
mission link. Typically expressed as megabits per second (Mb/s).
Data Terminating Equipment (DTE) The part of a data station that serves as a data
source (originates data for transmission), a data sink (accepts transmitted data), or both.
Decibel (dB) Unit for measuring the relative strength of a signal. Power level referenced
in decibels to a microwatt.
Degrade The condition where one or more established performance parameters fall
outside of predetermined limits, resulting in lower quality performance.
Demultiplexing A process applied to a multiplexed signal for recovering signals com-
bined within it and for restoring the distinct individual channels of these signals.
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) WDM systems with more than
eight active wavelengths per fiber.
Deregulation The removal of regulatory authority to control certain activities of tele-
phone companies.
Digital Cross Connect System (DCS) A device that provides switching services for
various private lines by setting up the necessary connections prior to the correspond-
ing calls. The connections are specified explicitly by an administrator or by the person
making the call.
Digital Signal 3 (DS3) A digital signal level 3 T-carrier for which the data rate is 44.736
Mb/s. This level of carrier can transport 28 DS1 level signals and 672 DS0 level channels
within its payload.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) A method of providing high-speed data services over the
twisted pair copper wires traditionally used to provide POTS. Types of DSL include ADSL
(asymmetric digital subscriber line), HDSL (high data rate digital subscriber line), SDSL
(single line digital subscriber line), and VDSL (very high data rate digital subscriber line).
Digital Wrapper A structured text file that binds digital object content files and their
associated metadata together, and that specifies the logical relationship of the content
files.
Disaster Recovery (DR) The recovery of data, access to data and associated processing
through a comprehensive process of setting up a redundant site (equipment and work
space) with recovery of operational data to continue business operations after a loss of
use of all or part of a data center. This involves not only an essential set of data but also
an essential set of all the hardware and software to continue processing of that data and
business. This may involve down time to perform the recovery.
6
Dispersion The cause of bandwidth limitations in a fiber. Dispersion causes a broaden-
ing of input pulses along the length of the fiber. Three major types of dispersion include:
(a) mode dispersion, caused by differential optical path lengths in a multimode fiber; (b)
material dispersion, caused by a differential delay of various wavelengths of light in a
waveguide material; and (c) waveguide dispersion, caused by light traveling in both the
core and cladding materials in single-mode fibers.
Dual Link A 3 Gb/s nominal interface used in applications (such as digital cinema) requir-
ing greater fidelity and resolution than standard HDTV can provide.
E
E1 The European version of the T1 digital transmission link with a line bit rate of 2.048
megabits per second (as used by European Conference of European and Postal Tele-
communication [CEPT] Administrations service providers).
Element Management System (EMS) A platform supporting multiple WDM spans to
provide Network Management services.
Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) EDFAs differ from the normal method of re-
generative or electro-optic repeaters in that light does not have to be converted to an
electrical signal, amplified, and then converted back to light. Optical amplifiers contain a
length of fiber that is doped with erbium (a rare earth substance) that provides the gain
medium, and a LASER source that pumps the doped fiber with light at the correct
frequency to thereby amplify an input optical signal. One of the most important features,
after the fact that EDFAs are not frequency-dependent, is that they allow bandwidth
upgrades (within limits) without replacing the entire transmission system.
Errored Seconds (ES) A performance monitoring parameter. ES Type A is a second
with exactly one error, ES Type B is a second with more than one and less than the
number of errors in a severely errored second (SES) for the given signal. ES by itself
means the sum of the type A and B ESs.
Enterprise Systems Connection A 200 Mb/s serial I/O bus used on IBM Corporations
Enterprise System 9000 data center computers. Abbreviated ESCON. Similar to Fibre
Channel in many respects, ESCON is based on redundant switches to link computers
and storage subsystems using serial optical connections.
Ethernet The predominant local area networking technology, based on packetized
transmissions between physical ports over a variety of electrical and optical media. Eth-
ernet can transport any of several upper-layer protocols, the most popular of which is
TCP/IP. Ethernet standards are maintained by the IEEE 802.3 committee. The unquali-
fied term Ethernet usually refers to 10 Mb/s transmission on multi-point copper. Fast
Ethernet is used to denote 100 Mb/s transmission, also on multipoint copper facilities.
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) utilize optical fiber transmis-
sion.
F
Fiber In The Loop (FITL) Fiber optical technology from central office (CO) to customer
premises.
Fiber Optic Cable A transmission medium composed of glass or plastic fibers, rather
than copper wire, used to transport data, video and voice signals simultaneously. The
signal is imposed on the fiber via pulses (modulation) of light from a LASER or a light-
emitting diode (LED). Because of its high bandwidth and lack of susceptibility to interfer-
ence, fiber optic cable is used in long haul or noisy applications.
7
Fibre Channel A set of Storage Area Networking (SAN) standards for a serial I/O bus
capable of transferring data between two ports at 100 Mb/s (FC100), 200 Mb/s (FC200),
400 Mb/s (FC400) with standards proposals to go to 1000 Gb/s. Note that 100 Mb/s
is equivalent to 1 Gb/s). Fibre Channel supports point to point, arbitrated loop, and
switched topologies. Fibre Channel was completely developed through industry coop-
eration, unlike SCSI, which was developed by a vendor and submitted for standardiza-
tion after the fact.
Fibre Connect (FICON) IBM Corporations implementation of ESCON over Fibre Chan-
nel.
Forward Error Correction (FEC) A system of error control for data transmission specifi-
cally designed to allow the receiver to correct some errors without having to request a
re-transmission of data.
Frame Relay An efficient data-transmission technique used to send digital information
quickly and cheaply in a relay of frames to one or many destinations from one or many
end-points.
Fiber-to-the-x (FTTX) Refers to several different forms of optical fiber architectures,
including:
1. Fiber-to-the-Building (FTTB) A telecommunications system based on fiber-optic
cable carrying network data from an Internet service provider to a customers physical
building.
2. Fiber-to-the-Cabinet (FTTCab) A telecommunications system using passive optical
networking as an infrastructure going from an Internet service providers central office, or
headend, to a remote cabinet, bringing multiplexers closer to the service areas.
3. Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) A telecommunications system based on fiber-optic cables
run to a platform serving several customers. Each of these customers has a connection
to this platform via coaxial cable or twisted pair.
4. Fiber-to-the-Exchange (FTTEx) A telecommunications system based on copper wir-
ing run to a customer located close to the Internet service providers central office.
5. Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) or Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) A broadband telecom-
munications system based on fiber-optic cables and associated optical electronics for
delivery of multiple advanced services, such as the Triple Play of telephone broadband
Internet and television to homes and businesses.
6. Fiber-to-the-Node/Neighborhood (FTTN) A broadband architecture that provides
high-speed Internet and other services to the home by running fiber to the node and
VDSL over the existing telephone copper plant to the home. Data rates are limited to
25-30 Mb/s.
G
G-series Automatic Switched Optical Network (G.ASON) Part of the ITU-Ts broad
charter G-series recommendations pertaining to Transmission Systems and Media,
Digital Systems and Networks. G-series recommendations include ITU-T G.8080/Y1304,
frequently referred to as G.ASON, or simply ASON, which describes the control plane
components used to provide fast and reliable connection set-up, maintenance and tear
down within the OTN, in response to both signaled and management-driven requests.
Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Allows traffic paths to be set up
automatically through a switched network. The term ASTN is often used interchange-
ably with GMPLS.
8
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Describes various technologies for implementing Ethernet
networking at a nominal speed of one gigabit per second defined by the IEEE 802.3z
and 802.3ab standards. Gigabit Ethernet has recently been overtaken by 10 Gigabit
Ethernet (10GbE), which was ratified by the IEEE in 2002, and provides data rates 10
times greater than that of Gigabit Ethernet.
Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) A transceiver that converts between electrical sig-
nals used by Ethernet, Fibre Channel and FICON devices and either electrical or optical
signals suitable for transmission. Gigabit interface converters allow designers to design
one type of device and adapt it for either copper or optical applications. GBICs can be
hot swapped and software programmed in the field to various protocols.
Gigabits Per Second (Gb/s or Gbps) Billion bits per second. A measure of transmis-
sion speed.
H
High Definition Serial Digital Interface (HD-SDI) A digitized video interface, standard-
ized in SMPTE-292M, used for broadcast-grade transmission of uncompressed, unen-
crypted digital television signals.
High Definition Television (HDTV) Broadcast of television signals with a higher resolu-
tion than traditional formats (NTSC, SCAM, PAL) allow.
Hot Swap The ability to remove and replace components of a machine, usually a com-
puter, while it is operating. Once the appropriate software is installed on the computer,
one can plug and unplug the hot-swap component without rebooting.
Hub A communications infrastructure device to which nodes on a multi-point bus or
loop are physically connected. Commonly used in Ethernet and Fibre Channel networks
to improve the manageability of physical cables. Hubs maintain the logical loop topol-
ogy of the network of which they are a part, while creating a hub and spoke physical
star layout. Unlike switches, hubs do not aggregate bandwidth. Hubs typically support
the addition or removal of nodes from the bus while it is operating.
Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) A network incorporating both optical fiber and coaxial
cable to create a broadband network. By using frequency division multiplexing, an HFC
network may carry a variety of signal types, including analog TV, digital TV, telephone
and data.
I
In-band (transmission) Transmission of a protocol, other than the primary data protocol,
over the same medium as the primary data protocol. Management protocols are a com-
mon example of in-band transmission.
Information Technology (IT) All aspects of information creation, access, use, storage,
transport and management. The term information technology addresses all aspects of
computer and storage systems, networks, users and software in an enterprise.
Infrastructure The basic facilities, service and installations needed for the functioning of
a community or society, such as transportation and communications systems.
Interexchange Carrier (IXC) (1) Any individual, partnership, association, joint-stock
company trust, governmental entity or corporation engaged for hire in interstate or
foreign communication by wire or radio, between two or more exchanges. (2) A long-
distance telephone company offering circuit-switched, leased-line or packet-switched
service or some combination thereof.
9
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) A communications protocol used to
manage the membership of Internet Protocol multicast groups. IGMP is used by IP hosts
and adjacent multicast routers to establish multicast group memberships. It is an integral
part of the IP multicast specification.
Internet Protocol (IP) A protocol that provides connectionless best effort delivery of
data across heterogeneous physical networks. Data is broken down into a number of
small bundles known as packets, and each packet gets transmitted to the destination
separately, possibly along a different route than other packets from the same message.
Packets are often retransmitted utilizing TCP when data is dropped due to over con-
strained routing.
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) A system where a digital television service is deliv-
ered to subscribers using Internet Protocol over a broadband connection. This service
is often provided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may also include Internet
services such as Web access and VoIP, where it may be called Triple Play, and is typically
supplied by a broadband operator using the same infrastructure.
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) A network layer standard used by electronic devices
to exchange data across a packet-switched Internetwork. It follows IPv4 as the second
version of the Internet Protocol to be formally adopted for general use. IPv6 is intended
to provide more addresses for networked devices, allowing, for example, each cell
phone and mobile electronic device to have its own address.
Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) A transport protocol that provides
for the SCSI protocol to be carried over a TCP-based IP network. Standardized by the
Internet Engineering Task Force and described in RFC 3720.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) An international organization estab-
lished to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications. The ITU
allocates call sign prefixes for radio and television stations of all types. These prefixes
are agreed upon internationally, and are a form of country code. A call sign can be any
number of letters and numerals but each country must only use call signs that begin
with the characters allocated for use in that country. The call signs may be viewed on a
chart or a grid.
J
Jitter Timing Short-term variations of the significant instants of a digital signal from their
ideal positions in time.
K
Kerr electro-optic effect The creation of birefringence in a liquid that is not otherwise
birefringent, by subjecting the liquid to an electric eld. Note 1: The degree of birefrin-
gence, which is manifested as a difference in refractive indices for light of orthogonal
linear polarizations, one of which is parallel to the induced optical axis, is directly pro-
portional to the square of the applied electric eld strength. Note 2: In the general case,
the birefringence produced by the applied electric eld can be used in conjunction with
polarizers to modulate light. Devices that use this principle are called Kerr cells.
Key authentication The assurance of the legitimate participants in a key agreement
that no other entity possesses the shared-secret key. [After X9.42]
L
LAN-free backup A backup methodology that moves data over a SAN without using
LAN resources.
10
LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) An optical source
that emits photons in a coherent beam.
Latency Synonym for I/O request execution time, the time between the making of an
I/O request and completion of the requests execution. Latency contributors are light de-
lay through the fiber optic line over distance as well as network element delays caused
by excessive protocol conversions or network routing complexities.
Leased Line A physical line that a single subscriber leases from a service provider, giving
the subscriber exclusive rights to that lines capacity.
Line Amplifier Also called an Optical Line Amplifier (OLA). It does not multiplex or
demultiplex signals but instead amplifies signals; it does so to maintain signal strength
over long distances.
Line Terminating Equipment (LTE) Network elements that originate and/or terminate
line signals.
Local Area Network (LAN) A communications infrastructure intended for the local
transport of data, video, and voice. Designed to use dedicated wiring over a limited
distance (typically a diameter of less than five kilometers) to connect a large number of
intercommunicating nodes. Ethernet is the most popular of LAN technologies. LANs are
interconnected over distance through Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and Wide
Area Networks (WANs) that utilize carrier-class transport and switching equipment.
Local Exchange Company (LEC) A telephone company that provides customer access
to the worldwide public switched network through one of its central offices.
Loss Of Frame (LOF) An indication on network devices or software indicating that one
or more network frames did not get through the networking device.
Loss Of Signal (LOS) An indicator on a networking device to indicate that a network
signal or connection has been lost.
M
Media Access Control (MAC) is the lower sub-layer of the OSI data link layer, the
interface between a nodes Logical Link Control and the networks physical layer. The
MAC differs for the various physical media (such as Ethernet, token ring, WLAN). The
MAC sub-layer is primarily concerned with:
1. recognizing where frames begin and end in the bit-stream received from the physical
layer (when receiving)
2. delimiting the frames (when sending), inserting information (e.g. some extra bits) into
or among the frames being sent so that the receiver(s) are able to recognize the
beginning and end of the frames
3. detecting transmission errors by means of inserting a checksum into every frame sent,
recalculating, and comparing them on the receiver side
4. inserting the source and destination MAC addresses into every frame transmitted
5. filtering out the frames intended for the station by verifying the destination address
in the received frames
6. controlling access to the physical transmission medium (which of the stations attached
to the wire or frequency range has the right to transmit)
Megabits per Second (Mb/s or Mbps) A digital transmission speed of millions of bits
per second.
11
Management Information Base (MIB) The specification and formal description of a set
of objects and variables that can be read and possibly written using the SNMP protocol.
Various standard MIBs are defined by the IETF.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) A network that connects nodes distributed over a
metropolitan (city-wide) area as opposed to a local area (campus) or wide area (national
or global).
Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) A working group of the International Organi-
zation for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),
charged with the development of video and audio encoding standards.
Multicast The simultaneous transmission of content to a subset of more than one of the
ports connected to a communication facility.
Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) A method used to direct data traffic in net-
works in which IP over ATM is being used. In MPLS, IP routers at the edge of the network
label packets in a way that greatly facilitates their handling by ATM switches at the
network core.
Multiple System Operator (MSO) A cable service provider that operates in more than
one geographic area, thus having multiple headend facilities.
Multimode Fiber Optical fiber that supports propagation of multiple modes of light.
Multimode fibers have a larger core diameter than single mode fibers.
Multiplex The combination of several signals onto a single communications channel.
Multiplexer (MUX) (1) Equipment that enables several data streams to be sent over a
single physical line or fiber. (2) A function by which one connection from an ISO layer is
used to support more than one connection to the next higher layer.
Multiplexing In data transmission, a function that permits two or more data sources to
share a common transmission medium such that each data source has its own channel.
Methods of multiplexing include time division multiplexing, and wavelength division
multiplexing.
N
Network An interconnect that enables communication among a collection of attached
nodes. A network consists of optical or electrical transmission media, infrastructure in
the form of hubs and/or switches, and protocols that make message sequences mean-
ingful. Networks are typically characterized by large numbers of nodes that act as peers,
large inter-node separation and flexible configurability.
Network Attached Storage (NAS) Storage elements that connect to a LAN and pro-
vide file access services to computer systems. A NAS Storage Element consists of an
engine, which implements the file services, and one or more devices, on which data is
stored. Much like a SAN, a NAS is used to share storage resources across multiple serv-
ers; however, NAS technology does not provide LAN traffic relief.
Network Element (NE) (1) Any device which is part of a communications path and
serves one or more of the section, line or path terminating functions. (2) Used for an ad-
dressable set of equipment, either an OTS End Terminal or an OTS Repeater. The terms
OTS and system are used for a set of network elements that can be addressed through
a common communications link (and are connected by a common Optical Service Chan-
nel) either by an EMS or a CIT.
12
Network Management System (NMS) A system responsible for managing at least part
of a network. NMSs communicate with agents to help keep track of network statistics,
resources and performance.
Network Interface Card (NIC) An I/O adapter that connects a computer or other type
of node to a network. The term NIC is universally used in Ethernet contexts. In Fibre
Channel contexts, the terms adapter and NIC are used in preference to host bus adapter
(HBA).
Next-Generation Network (NGN) A packet-based network able to provide services,
including Telecommunication Services, and to make use of multiple broadband, QoS-
enabled transport technologies. In an NGN, service-related functions are independent
from underlying transport-related technologies. An NGN offers users generalized mobil-
ity for consistent and ubiquitous service-provision and unrestricted access to different
service providers.
Next-Generation Network Architecture (NGNA) Network architecture that allows
decoupling of the networks transport and service layers so that providers can enable
new services by defining them directly at the service layer.
O
Open Transport Network (OTN) A network technology that aims at transporting a
number of communication protocols over an optical fiber. This includes serial protocols
(e.g. RS232) as well as telephony (POTS/ISDN), audio, Ethernet and video (via M-JPEG,
MPEG2/4).
Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (OADM) An optical amplifier-like network element that
allows the extraction/insertion of one or more wavelengths to/from the multi-wavelength
signal as it is passed through the amplifier.
Optical Amplifier (OA) A device used to amplify the signal optically without any con-
version to an electrical signal. It can be used as a Booster Amplifier, In-Line Amplifier or
Pre-Amplifier.
OC-n A data rate that is a multiple of the fundamental SONET STS-1 rate of 51.84 Mb/s.
OC-3 (155 Mb/s), OC-12 (622 Mb/s), OC-48 (2488 Mb/s) and OC-192 (9953 Mb/s) are
currently in common use.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) A logical structure for network operations stan-
dardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO). The OSI model organizes
the communications process into seven different categories and places the categories in
a layered sequence based on their relationship to other users. Layers seven through four
deal with end-to-end communications between the message source and the message
destination, while layers three through one deal with network access.
Operations Support System (OSS) A network management system used for a single
specific purpose, such as billing or alarm monitoring.
Optical Channel The wavelength allocation for a particular signal.
Optical Control Plane Within an ASON, the control plane sets up and releases con-
nections and may restore a connection in case of a failure.
Optical Line Amplifier (OLA) cf. Line Amplifier
Optical Path The optical transmission medium made up of the individual fiber sections
traversed by the multi-wavelength optical signal.
13
Optical Service Channel (OSC) An optical maintenance channel linking the OTS Re-
peaters (OLAs) to each other and to the OTS End Terminals. It is multiplexed onto the
same fiber as the OC-48 channels. All telemetry, data and voice traffic originating and/
or terminating at OTS Repeater sites are routed over the OSC.
Out-of-band (transmission) Transmission of management information outside of the
data channel network, typically over Ethernet or through the use of a separate Optical
Supervisory Channel (OSP).
Outside Plant (OSP) The part of the LEC telephone network that is physically located
outside of telephone company buildings. Outside Plant includes the local loops from
the LECs switching centers to the customers premises, and all facilities which serve to
interconnect the various switches (e.g., central office and tandem) in the service pro-
viders internal network.
Oversubscription Scheduling a network line to carry a greater volume of data than
the line is designed to carry at any one time. Oversubscribing a line assumes that it is
unlikely that any one subscriber (or group of subscribers) will use all of the lines capacity
at any one time, and relies on methods such as quality of service to prioritize subscriber
traffic during periods of congestion.
P
PacketCable Multimedia PacketCable is an organization started by CableLabs

. The
purpose of the organization is to define standards for the Cable TV industry. Built on top
of the industrys DOCSIS 1.1 (Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specifications) cable
modem infrastructure, PacketCable networks use Internet Protocol (IP) to enable a wide
range of multimedia services, such as IP telephony, multimedia conferencing, interactive
gaming, and general multimedia applications. A DOCSIS 1.1 network with PacketCable
extensions enables cable operators to deliver data and voice traffic efficiently using a
single high-speed, quality-of-service (QoS)-enabled broadband architecture.
Packet-over-SONET/SDH (POS) A communications protocol for transmitting packets
over circuit-switched protocols SDH or SONET.
Packetize The process by which IP breaks a file/message into numerous small bundles
for transmission to a destination. Each packet is independent from the others; it has
the destinations address, and may reach the destination by a different route than other
packets for the same file/message.
Payload The data in an ATM cell or Ethernet/IP packet that subscribers want to access
(the message, conversation, file, etc.). Payload is used to distinguish the subscribers
data from the overhead, which is data in an ATM cell or IP packet that network equip-
ment tacks on to the payload to help guide its transmission across the network.
Performance Monitoring (PM) Measures the quality of service and identifies degrad-
ing or marginally-operating systems (before an alarm would be generated).
Point of Presence (POP) A facility used by a network access provider to house physical
equipment that enables subscribers to access the network. The term is used to describe
the location where a long distance service provider connects to a local service provider,
and also the location where an Internet service provider houses equipment that enables
dial-up subscribers to access the Internet.
Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) Dispersion (spreading of light pulses) arising
from differences in the speed of the two polarization modes of light (vertical and hori-
zontal) in a fiber. The asymmetric nature of fiber causes the two polarization modes to
14
experience slightly different conditions and travel along the fiber at slightly different
speeds. Primarily an issue for communications systems operating at rates faster than
2.5 Gb/s.
Port A port can be an entrance to or exit from a network element. It can be a connection
point for a peripheral device or an application program. It can be logical, physical or
both. Examples include Ethernet, IP, Fibre Channel, and SCSI Ports.
Ethernet uses Media Access Control identifiers (commonly referred to as MAC ad-
dresses) to distinguish between separate logical channels connecting two ports on the
same physical transport network interface.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) of the IP Suite
use logical ports as communication endpoints, including client-side user ports (source
of application requests) and server-side well-known ports for service access. Examples of
well-known server-side ports include: Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI
- 3260); File Transfer Protocol (FTP Data - 20, FTP Control - 21); Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol (SMTP - 25); Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP - 80), and Network File System
(NFS - 2049).
Fibre Channel ports provide physical interface attachment to other Fibre Channel ports.
A Fibre Channel port includes the transmitter, receiver and associated logic at either
end of a link within a Node. Ports can be implemented on Host Bus Adapters (HBAs),
Storage Adapters (SAs), routers, switches, bridges, gateways, etc.
SCSI Bus physical ports provide the means which allow a device to connect drivers and
receivers to the SCSI parallel bus cable. An SCSI logical port is either an SCSI initiator
port or an SCSI target port; it is the logical entity that originates or processes SCSI com-
mands (including data transfer) and task management requests. For example, the SCSI
initiator port enables SCSI operations to flow to and from a server operating system
device driver.
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) Analog voice transmission over twisted pair cop-
per wires, without any of the more recently added amenities such as caller ID or call wait-
ing. POTS was invented over a century ago, and is still used widely in public telephone
networks.
Protocol A set of rules for using an interconnect or network so that information con-
veyed on the interconnect can be correctly interpreted by all parties to the communi-
cation. Protocols include such aspects of communication as data representation, data
item ordering, message formats, message and response sequencing rules, block data
transmission conventions, and timing requirements.
Provider A company that provides an interface between the teleservices platform and
an installed telephone device, such as a telephone line or fax machine.
Public Network A network operated by common service providers or telecom-
munications administrations for the provision of circuit-switched, packet-switched and
leased-line circuits to the public.
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) The traditional voice network infrastruc-
ture, including both local service and long distance service, that has been in use in
various parts of the world for up to a century or so.
Q
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) A modulation scheme which conveys data
by changing (modulating) the amplitude of two carrier waves. These two waves, usually
sinusoids, are out of phase with each other by 90 and are thus called quadrature carriers.
15
Quality of Service (QoS) A set of guidelines for prioritizing subscriber data traffic on
an ATM network, and for establishing a scale of fees for carrying that traffic, based on
specific graduated guarantees of network availability and performance.
R
Radio Frequency (RF) Refers to that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in which
electromagnetic waves can be generated by alternating current fed to an antenna.
Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) A new form of add/drop
multiplexer that essentially adds the ability to switch individual networks. The key differ-
entiating feature of a ROADM is the ability to switch traffic and both the wavelength and
SONET/SDH layers. ROADM functionality is not new; indeed most long-haul DWDM
equipment has built-in ROADM functionality. Whats new is the appearance of these
features in purpose-built metro optical gear, an application that has been long hyped
but is only now beginning to gain support.
Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) Local telephone companies created in
1984 as part of the break-up of AT&T. The six RBOCs were Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, Bell
South, NYNEX, Southwestern Bell and U.S.West. Ameritch and US West became Qwest;
Southwestern Bell became AT&T, and Bell Atlantic and NYNEX became Verizon.
Regeneration In the telecommunications industry, regeneration has the following
meanings:
1. In a regenerative repeater, the process by which digital signals are amplified, reshaped,
retimed and retransmitted. A synonym for this meaning is positive feedback.
2. In a storage or display device, the restoration of stored or displayed data that have
deteriorated. For example, conventional cathode ray tube displays must be continually
regenerated for the data to remain displayed.
Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) RADIUS is an authentication
and accounting protocol used by many Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Information,
such as username and password, is entered when a connection is made. This informa-
tion is passed to a RADIUS server that verifies the information in order to authorize
access to the system. Radius is defined in RFC 2865.
Repeater (1) A device that regenerates and propagates electrical signals between two
network segments. (2) A device that restores a degraded digital signal for continued
transmission; also called a regenerator. (3) A device which consists of a transmitter and a
receiver or transceiver, used to regenerate a signal to increase the system length.
Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) A standard designed for the optimized transport of data
traffic over fiber rings. Provides the resilience found in SONET/SDH networks (50ms
protection) using a packet-based transmission rather than circuit-oriented connections
to increase the efficiency of Ethernet and IP services. Also known as IEEE 802.17
Restoration The copying of a backup to on-line storage for application use. Restoration
normally occurs after part or all of an applications data has been destroyed or become
inaccessible.
Route A series of network elements that include multiple end-nodes. From a logical and
visual viewpoint, a route consists of one or more paths.
Router A device that directs bundles of data being transmitted between nodes on
different networks.
16
S
Serial Digital Interface (SDI) A digitized video interface used for broadcast-grade
video. Standardized in ITU-R BT.656 and SMPTE-259M.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) The ratio of signal power to noise power. Measured in dB.
Signaling (1) The process of sending a transmission signal over a physical medium for
purposes of communications. (2) A method of communications, between network com-
ponents, providing control, management and performance monitoring.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) An IETF protocol for monitoring and
managing systems and devices in a network. The data being monitored and managed
is defined by a Management Information Base (MIB). The functions supported by the
protocol are the request and retrieval of data, the setting or writing of data, and traps
that signal the occurrence of events.
Single Mode Fiber Used to describe optical fiber that allows only one mode of light
signal transmission. Single mode fiber has a narrow core. Such fiber has a higher band-
width than mulitmode fiber, but requires a light source with a narrow spectral width (for
example, a LASER).
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) A collection of ANSI standards and proposed
standards which define I/O buses primarily intended for connecting storage subsystems
or devices to hosts through host bus adapters. Originally intended primarily for use with
small (desktop and desk-side workstation) computers, SCSI has been extended to serve
most computing needs, and is arguably the most widely implemented I/O bus in use
today.
Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) A specification for a new generation of optical
modular transceivers. The devices are designed for use with small form factor (SFF) con-
nectors, and offer high speed and physical compactness, and are hot-swappable. SFP
transceivers are expected to perform at data speeds of up to five gigabits per second
(5 Gb/s), and possibly higher. Because SFP modules can be easily interchanged, electro-
optical or fiber optic networks can be upgraded and maintained more conveniently than
has been the case with traditional soldered-in modules. Rather than replacing an entire
circuit board containing several soldered-in modules, a single module can be removed
and replaced for repair or upgrading. This can result in a substantial cost savings, both
in maintenance and in upgrading efforts.
SONET/SDH SONET is a contraction of synchronous optical network, the ANSI (North
American) standard for transmitting data over fiber optic lines; SDH is an abbreviation of
synchronous digital hierarchy, the ITU-T (European) standard for transmitting data over
fiber optic lines.
Standard Definition Television (SDTV) Television systems that have a lower resolution
than HDTV systems. The term is usually used in reference to digital television, in particu-
lar when broadcasting at the same (or similar) resolution as analog systems.
Storage Area Network (SAN) A network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data
between computer systems and storage elements and among storage elements. A SAN
consists of a communication infrastructure, which provides physical connections, and a
management layer, which organizes the connections, storage elements, and computer
systems so that data transfer is secure and robust. The term SAN is usually (but not
necessarily) identified with the Fibre Channel protocol and block I/O services rather than
file access services.
17
Statistical Multiplexing A method for combining multiple calls onto a single line by
giving priority to subscribers according to the volume of data theyre trying to transmit
at any given time. For example, a subscriber who typically transmits a large volume of
data at a certain time of day (say, 5:00PM), but who transmits relatively little data during
the rest of any given day, may ordinarily have a low priority in the overall multiplexing
scheme for the line, but may be given a much higher priority at 5:00 when the subscriber
transmits the bulk of its traffic.
Switch A network infrastructure component to which multiple nodes attach. Unlike hubs,
switches typically have internal bandwidth that is a multiple of link bandwidth, and the
ability to rapidly switch node connections from one to another. A typical switch can
accommodate several simultaneous full link bandwidth transmissions between differ-
ent pairs of nodes. A switch filters, forwards and directs frames or circuits based on a
destination address.
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) ITU-TSS International standard for transmission
over optical fiber.
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) (1) A set of standards for transmitting digital
information over optical networks. Synchronous indicates that all pieces of the SONET
signal can be tied to a single clock. (2) A CCITT standard for synchronous transmission
up to multi-gigabit speeds. (3) A standard for fiber optics.
Synchronous Replication A replication technique in which data must be committed
to stable storage at both the primary site and the secondary site before the write is
acknowledged to the host. With flow control techniques and low latency transport,
Synchronous Replication can be utilized up to 300 km. Examples of Synchronous Disk
Mirroring applications are Global Mirroring (IBM), TrueCopy (Hitachi), and SRDF (EMC).
Synchronous transfer mode In a Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network
(B-ISDN), a proposed transport-level technique in which time-division multiplexing and
switching is to be used across the users network interface.
Synchronous Transport Signal (STS, STS-n) (1) SONET standard for transmission
over OC-1 optical fiber at 51.84 Mb/s. (2) A SONET frame including overhead and
payload capacity. The basic SONET frame is the STS-1. STS-1s can be multiplexed or
concatenated with no additional overhead.
T
T1 A North American digital standard for transmitting data at 1.544 Mb/s. T1 is often
divided into 24 channels (DS0 signals), each transmitting data at 56 kb/s or 64 kb/s.
T3 A North American digital standard for transmitting data at 44.736 Mb/s, the equiva-
lent of 28 T1s.
Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) A concept where all OMCs (Op-
erations and Maintenance Centers) are linked together to form a network. Centralization
occurs to facilitate control, monitoring and management of all devices in the communi-
cations network.
Throughput The rate at which a computer or network sends or receives data.
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) A method for transmitting multiple calls over a
single line; each call is assigned a recurring timeslot on the line, and a small portion of
that call gets transmitted over the line each time its assigned timeslot is available.
18
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (1) A family of IP-based
protocols which facilitate the transmission of data packets over various media in various
circumstances. TCP/ IP provides the basis of the Internet and also of many subscriber
services. (2) A set of protocols developed to link dissimilar computers across many kinds
of networks.
TCP Offload Engine A technology for improving TCP/IP performance by offloading
TCP/IP processing to a Network Interface Card.
Transceiver An electronic device which has both transmit and receive capabilities.
Transmission Loss Total loss encountered in transmission through a system.
Transport Layer OSI layer that is responsible for reliable end-to-end data transfer be-
tween end systems.
Trap A type of SNMP message used to signal that an event has occurred.
Tunneling A technology that enables one network protocol to send its data via another
network protocols connections. Tunneling works by encapsulating the first network pro-
tocol within packets carried by the second protocol. A tunnel may also encapsulate a
protocol within itself (e.g., an IPsec gateway operates in this fashion, encapsulating IP in
IP and inserting additional IPsec information between the two IP headers).
U
Unidirectional Path Switched Ring (UPSR) A method of providing redundancy for fiber
optic lines on SONET rings. The SONET ring consists of two fiber optic lines, each carry-
ing the same traffic, but transmitting it in opposite directions around the ring. If one line
fails, the backup line is already carrying the same traffic.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) An Internet protocol that provides connectionless da-
tagram delivery service to applications. Abbreviated UDP. UDP over IP adds the ability
to address multiple endpoints within a single network node to IP.
V
VDSL (very high bit rate DSL) Up to 26 Mb/s, over distances up to 50 Meters on short
loops such as from fiber to the curb. In most cases, VDSL lines will be served from neigh-
borhood cabinets that link to a Central Office via optical fiber. It is particularly useful for
campus environments, such as universities and business parks. VDSL is currently being
introduced in market trials to deliver video services over existing phone lines. VDSL can
also be configured in symmetric mode.
VDSL2 (second generation VDSL) ITU Recommendation G.993.2 specifies eight profiles
that address a range of applications including up to 100 Mb/s symmetric transmission
on loops about one hundred meters long (using a bandwidth of 30 MHz), symmetric
bit-rates in the 10-30 Mb/s range on intermediate length loops (using a bandwidth of
12 MHz), and asymmetric operation with downstream rates in the range of 10-40 Mb/s
on loops of lengths ranging from 3 km to 1 km (using a bandwidth of 8.5 MHz). VDSL2
includes most of the advanced features from ADSL2. The rate/reach performance of
VDSL2 is better than VDSL.
Video on Demand (VoD) Systems that allow users to select and watch video content
over a network as part of an interactive television system. VoD systems either stream
content, allowing viewing while the video is being downloaded, or download it so the
program is brought in its entirety to a set-top box before viewing starts.
19
Virtual Private Network (VPN) A network service which employs encryption and
tunneling to provide a subscriber with a secure private network that runs over public
network infrastructure.
Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) A logically-independent network of computers
that behave as if connected to the same wire, even though they physically may connect
to different segments of a LAN. Several VLANs can co-exist on a single physical switch.
Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) A non-proprietary redundancy protocol
designed to increase the availability of the default gateway servicing hosts on the same
subnet. This increased reliability is achieved by advertising a virtual router (an abstract
representation of master and backup routers acting as a group) as a default gateway to
the host(s) instead of one physical router. Two or more physical routers are then config-
ured to stand for the virtual router, with only one doing the actual routing at any given
time. If the current physical router that is routing the data on behalf of the virtual router
fails, an arrangement is made for another physical router to automatically replace it. The
physical router that is currently forwarding data on behalf of the virtual router is called
the master router. Physical routers standing by to take over from the master router in
case something goes wrong are called backup routers.
Virtualization The act of integrating one or more (back end) services or functions with
additional (front end) functionality for the purpose of providing useful abstractions. Vir-
tualization typically hides some of the back end complexity, or adds or integrates new
functionality with existing back end services. Examples of virtualization are the aggrega-
tion of multiple instances of a service into one virtualized service, or to add security to
an otherwise insecure service. Virtualization can be nested or applied to multiple layers
of a system.
Voice-over-Internet Protocol (also called VoIP, IP Telephony, Internet telephony, or
Digital Phone) The routing of voice conversations over the Internet or any other IP-
based network. The voice data flows over a general-purpose packet-switched network,
instead of traditional dedicated, circuit-switched voice transmission lines.
W
Wavelength The length of one complete wave of an alternating or vibrating phenom-
enon, generally measured from crest to crest, from trough to trough of successive waves.
The distance between two crests of an electromagnetic waveform.
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) (1) A technique in fiber-optic transmission
for using multiple light wavelengths (colors) to send data over the same medium. (2) Two
or more colors of light on one fiber. (3) Simultaneous transmission of several signals in an
optical waveguide at differing wavelengths.
Wi-Fi (also WiFi, Wi-fi, Wifi, or wifi) Products which pass testing to demonstrate that they
implement a set of product compatibility standards for Wireless Local Area Networks
(WLANs) based on IEEE 802.11 specifications. Wi-Fi allows a wireless-enabled computer
or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) to connect to the Internet when in proximity to an
access point.
X
xDSL A generic term for Digital Subscriber Line; the x is a placeholder for any of
several other letters that indicate the particular type of DSL in use including ADSL, HDSL,
IDSL, SDSL, and VDSL.
Headquarters
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, Maryland 21090
Toll Free (800) 921-1144
Phone (410) 694-5700
Fax (410) 694-5750
www.ciena.com