A carrier that uses its own facilities to
provide service, in contrast with resellers,
that purchase the services of other carriers and then retail the
services to customers. (Most facilities-based carriers use the
services of other carriers to some extent.)
Facility
A generic term for a logical component of a system (such as a
telecommunications channel, a cross connect, a switch, a
computer, a control center, a building, etc.)
Fast Packet
A general term for various streamlined packet technologies
including frame relay, BISDM, and ATM. Compared to X.25 packet
switching, fast packet contains a much reduced functionality, but with
the lower overhead, fast packet systems can operate at higher rates at
the same processing cost.
FAT - Final Acceptance Testing
FAX - Facsimile Image
Transmission
There are multiple FAX transmission protocol standards and speeds.
The most common standard used on voice-grade
dial up analog networks is Group III at typical speeds from 2400 to
14,400 bps. On Digital Data Service (DDS)
and ISDN, Group IV operates at 56,000
bps.
FCC - Federal Communications
Commission
Regulates interstate communications: licenses, rates, tariffs, standards,
limitations, etc. Appointed by U.S. President .
FDDI - Fiber Distributed Data
Interface
A high-speed, optical-fiber-based LAN
interface standard usually operating at 100Mbps. FDDI is a
fault-tolerant dual counter-rotating-ring design
Feature Group - FG
A Telco Product consisting of
Services and Features (e.g. FG-D)
Features
Subcomponent marketing options of Products and Services
One Dial-Up Network Circuit via 4-Wire Connection (Higher
quality than FG-A, extra wires for signalling)
ANI (caller's
phone number) Service is optional.
One 1+ Network Circuit via 4-Wire Connection. Also used for
800 Inbound WATS and Travel Card Service. Provides the "ANI" (caller's phone number) for billing purposes.
File Server
A process running on a computer that provides access to files for
remote user systems.
Finger
A standard protocol that lists who is currently logged in on a
host. Usually used in conjunction with a user ID.
Press the switch hook down for 0.4 to 0.8 seconds and then
release the switch hook.
FOC - Firm Order Confirmation
A document sent by LECs that
confirms (or denies) that the service requested (with an ASR) will be provided by the date that was originally
requested.
Foreign Exchange (FX)
A DS-0 line utilizes Feature Group A facilities on one end of the
circuit. The Feature Group A service connects a customer premise in the
foreign location with the line side of a BOC central office switch in
the U.S. The customer premise end of the circuit is referred to as the
closed end because it terminates on a station instrument, key system, or
PBX. The CO switch end of the circuit is referred to as the open-end
because it is open to the public switched network. The open end of the
circuit appears as a local business line in a local exchange, different
from (foreign to) the local exchange of the closed end of the circuit.
A dial tone from the distant city's local office is heard when this line
is accessed, and a local phone number can be associated with the FX.
An FX has fixed monthly charges for the originating local access, IXC,
international circuits. Usage charges are applied through the local
telephone company at the open (US) end. The advantages of an FX line
are the use of a local phone number for long distance calls and high
volume centralized long distance calling at reduced fixed costs. In the
case of international FX services, the open end must be in the US,
unless the foreign PTT can support this service. In many countries this
service falls under regulatory laws.
Foreign Half Circuit
The logical circuit between the TMP and the ITMC in the foreign
location.
A wideband (64Kbps to
1.544Mbps) packet-based data
interface standard that transmits bursts of data over WANs. Frame-relay packets vary in length from 7 to 1024 bytes.
Data oriented, it is not usually used for voice or video.
Frame Relay Forum
Consortium of vendors and consumers of frame
relay equipment and services which specifies Implementation
Agreements to ensure interoperability between multiple vendors' products
and services.
Frame Slip (Also called just "slip")
Any shift of the timing on a circuit. Usually the difference
between D4 Super Frame and Extended Super Frame or an un-framed signal
stream. During an out-of-frame condition, one frame slip would
increment.
Fraud - Toll Fraud
A crime in which a hacker obtains telecommunication services
by: breaching computer security, using or selling stolen long-distance
credit-card codes, or, accessing a PBX and
using its communication facilities illegally. Toll Fraud is
estimated to cost U.S. companies $1.2 billion/year.
Front End Processor
- FEP
A support computer for a larger host computer. Performs
communications and network control operations, freeing the host
processor to do data processing.
Used to provide file transfers across a wide variety of systems.
FTP is an efficient application that only performs the most basic of
file manipulations commands. This application is at the seventh layer of
the OSI model.
FT-1
Fractional digital service hierarchy level 1 with service in
multiples of 56/64 Kbps 2 channels (112/128Kbps) or above, and up to 23
channels. 256/512/768/1024Kbps are common rates for this type of
service. Also called fractional T1. See LD-1.
FT-3
Fractional digital service hierarchy level 3 with service in
multiples of 1.344Mbps. Also called fractional T3.
Full Duplex
Simultaneous two-way communication path
FX - Foreign Exchange
A dedicated line that operates as though it was a local switched
line in a central office,
other than where it is located. A DS-0 line utilizes Feature Group A
facilities on one end of the circuit. The Feature Group A service
connects a customer premise in the foreign location with the line side
of a BOC central office switch in the U.S. The customer premise end of
the circuit is referred to as the closed end because it terminates on a
station instrument, key system, or PBX. The CO switch end of the
circuit is referred to as the open-end because it is open to the public
switched network. The open end of the circuit appears as a local
business line in a local exchange, different from (foreign to) the local
exchange of the closed end of the circuit. A dial tone from the distant
city's local office is heard when this line is accessed, and a local
phone number can be associated with the FX. An FX has fixed monthly
charges for the originating local access, IXC, international circuits.
Usage charges are applied through the local telephone company at the
open (US) end. The advantages of an FX line are the use of a local
phone number for long distance calls and high volume centralized long
distance calling at reduced fixed costs. In the case of international
FX services, the open end must be in the US, unless the foreign PTT can
support this service. In many countries this service falls under
regulatory laws.
