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Technical Glossary M - Q

Multiplexer - Also commonly referred to as a "mux." A device used to combine multiple parallel information streams into a single channel. There are a number of different types of multiplexers: Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), and Statistical Time Division Multiplexing (STDM).

Mux - See Multiplexer.

MVLTm - Multiple Virtual Lines. New local loop access technology developed by paradyne. Designed and optimized for multiple concurrent services for residential, SOHO and small business markets. MVL transforms a single copper-wire loop into multiple virtual lines supporting multiple and independent services simultaneously.

NAP - Network Access Provider. The provider of the physical network that permits connection of service subscribers to NSPs.

NDIS - Network Driver Interface Specification. Used for all communication with network adapters. NDIS works primarily with LAN manager and allows multiple protocol stacks to share a single NIC.

NEBS - Network Equipment Building System. A set of requirements for the reliability and usability of equipment, established by Bellcore.

NetView - An IBM program product that is used to monitor and control a network and diagnose problems.

Network - (Public, Private, and Hybrid)(A public network allows many customers to share the same bandwidth and network equipment. In a private network, the circuits are not shared with other customers, and bandwidth is guaranteed to be available unless there is a circuit failure. A true hybrid network has one or more public and one or more private networks carrying shared information.

NEXT - Near End CrossTalk. Crosstalk in which the interfering signal is traveling in the opposite direction as the desired signal.

NIC - Network Interface Card. The circuit board or other hardware that provides the interface between a DTE and a network.

NID - Network Interface Device. A device that connects the local loop to the customer premises and includes the demarcation point.

Network Management System (NMS) - A set of diagnostic and configuration management tools for a data communications network consisting of software programs and dedicated computer hardware.

Node - A connection or switching point on the network.

NSN - Network Service Node.

NSP - Network Service Provider. A vendor, such as an ISP, local telephone company, CLEC or corporate LAN, that provides network services to subscribers.

NTU - Network Termination Unit. Equipment at the customer premises that terminates a network access point.

Nx64 - Describes a continuous bit stream to an application at the Nx64 Kbps rate.

Ocn - Optical Carrier level n signal. The fundamental transmission rate for SONET. For example, OC3 represents a transmission rate of about 155 Mbps.

OSI - Open Systems Interconnection. The OSI Reference Model is a seven-layer network architecture model of data communication protocols developed by ISO and ITU.

PBX - See Private Branch Exchange.

Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) - An international committee formed to define standards for modem cards.

Public Data Network (PDN) - A network available to the public for the transmission of data, usually in X.25 packets.

Point-to-Point Circuit - A data network circuit with one control and one tributary.

POP - Point-of-Presence. An IXC's or NSP's equivalent of a CO.

Port - Input/output connection for computer or communications equipment.

POTS - Plain Old Telephone Service. Standard telephone service over the PSTN, with an analog bandwidth of less than 4 kHz.

POTS Splitter - A device that filters out the DSL signal and allows the POTS frequencies to pass through.

Primary Rate (PRI) - An ISDN service that provides users with twenty-three 64 Kbps bearer (or B) channels for message information and one 64 Kbps data (or D) channel for signaling and control over an existing telephone line.

Private Branch Exchange (PBX) - A small telephone switching system (exchange), usually on a customer's premises, that also connects to the Public Switched Telephone Network.

Protocol - The rules for timing, forinat, error control, and flow control during data transmission.

PSC - Public Service Commission. State-level regulators of the local phone company in the United States.

PTO - Public Telephone Operator.

PTT - Postal Telephone & Telegraph. Provider of access services. A governmental agency in many countries.

PVC - Permanent Virtual Circuit. A virtual connection established administratively. Included in networks supporting ATM, frame relay, and X.25.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) - The nationwide telephone switching system operated by various telephone companies that enables the general public to communicate.

QAM - Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. Modulation technique using variations in signal amplitude.

QoS - Quality of Service. Measure of telephone service as specified by the PSC.