A transmission protocol where data is divided into small blocks
with destinations so various routes can be efficiently taken, to
avoid overloading a single facility. Paths are temporary and
dynamic. Allows facility sharing by many users. Requires PAD.
PAD - Packet Assembly /
Disassembly Facility
A device that converts a serial data stream into discrete packets
in the transmit direction and converts the received packets back into a
serial data stream. Adds header information in the transmit packet to
allow it to be routed to the proper destination.
PAL - Public Access Line
(e.g. Payphone)
Parameterized
A reusable software object that behaves differently based on
the input specifications that are given to it. (See Template)
Parts
Subcomponent elements of an aggregate object
Party
Person (participant in a call, etc.)
Past Due Balance
Failure to pay an invoice or bill by the specified due date.
Path Circuit - Connection
Route
Circuit - Connection Route.
Payment
The process of paying or receipt of a revenue item.
Payphone
A public (or private) telephone that accepts coins or encoded
credit cards.
PBX - Private Branch Exchange
A Customer
Premise Communication Switch used to connect customer
telephones (and related equipment) to LEC central office lines (trunks), and to switch
internal calls within the customer's telephone system. Modern PBXs
offer numerous software-controlled features such as call forwarding
and call pickup. A PBX uses technology similar to that used by a
central office switch (on
a smaller scale). (The acronym PBX originally stood for "Plug
Board Exchange".)
PC - Personal Computer
Any computing system for use primarily by one person.
This Adobe technology is a popular way of formatting documents in such a way that they can be viewed and printed on multiple platforms using the freely available Adobe Acrobat reader.
Peer-To-Peer
Network Communication Architecture
Objects that communicate in a network as equals, in contrast to
a master/slave client/server relationship.
Permanent Virtual
Circuit - PVC
In data networking services, a circuit that is defined in a static
manner with static parameters, but which is not tied to a given physical
path through the network.
Person-to-Person
Operator assisted phone call - only billed if the specified person
is available.
Physical Change
The modification of an existing circuit, dedicated access channel
or port, at the request of the customer.
The IEC that 1+ calls are routed to.
Specified by ANI.
PIC Charges
A LEC charge for changing the PIC.
Often paid by the new IEC. If a LEC sends a PIC charge to a
customer, the new IEC will typically
credit the customer's account.
PIC Request
A request record sent to a LEC
asking for an ANI to be activated, deactivated or changed
in some way.
PIC Response
A response record sent by a LEC
(corresponding to a previous PIC Request) with a response code that
indicates whether the request was performed. (Some LECs return
non-standard PIC Response codes.)
Pin Digits - Personal
Identification Number Digits
PING - Packet INternet Groper
A program useful in testing and debugging LAN/WAN troubles. It
sends out an Echo and expects a specified host to respond back in a
specified time frame.
Pink
Apple Computer's Object-Oriented Operating System. (Merged with
IBM to form "Taligent".)
Platform
The foundation of a system on which subcomponents depend.
PM - Performance Monitoring
PMR - Private Mobile Radio
Usually non-cellular based systems, standardized by ETSI ETS300.279, used for private data and voice exchange.
PO - Purchase Order
Point Of Presence
- PoP - POP
The physical access location interface between a local exchange
carrier and an Interexchange Carrier fiber network. The point to which
the telephone company terminates a subscriber's circuit for long
distance service or leased line communications.
Point-To-Multipoint
A circuit that connects a single node to a switch.
1. A network entry or exit point,
2. A measure of CPE equipment capacity, generally based on
the sum of the number of station lines and trunks, (e.g. a PBX with
100 station lines and 20 trunks would have 120 ports),
3. A connection between a computer and an external device
(e.g. a printer port),
4. a connection point on a multiplexer,
5. the process of transporting something (like an application
program) from one environment to another.
An ISDN circuit transmitting at T1 (DS-1) speed (equivalent to 24 voice-grade channels). One of
the channels ("D") is used for signaling, leaving 23 ("B")
channels for data and voice communication.
The preferred route from one switched node to another.
Priority
Ranking of precedence, importance or preference
Private Line
Uses dedicated circuits to connect customer's equipment at
both ends of the line. Does not provide any switching capability
(unless supported by customer
premise equipment). Usually includes two local loops and an IEC circuit.
Private Network
A communications network with restricted (controlled) access.
Usually made up of private lines
(with some PBX switching).
Prompt
A character or string of characters used by a host to identify user
needed inforamtion at the entry point of text inputs.
Property Surcharge
A per-call or per-minute charge assessed on an Operator-Assisted
call by the property owner from which the call was placed. This
charge is separate from the Call Type Surcharge, and monies from
this charge are usually assigned to the property owner as part of
the compensation package.
Protocol
Very specific rules/standards for information transmission. A
formal set of conventions governing the format and control of
inputs and outputs between two communicating entities.
Protocol Converter
An application-specific node that connects otherwise-incompatible
networks. Converts data codes and transmission protocols to enable
interoperability. (Contrast Bridge)
Provisioning
The process by which a requested (ordered) service is designed,
implemented and tracked (providing the subcomponent parts).
PSPDN - Packet Switched Public Data Network
Packet oriented public network usually based on X.25.
PTN - Public Telephone Network
Public Network
A switched communications network with unrestricted access.
