VoIP glossary - P
The HipTel VoIP dictionary (VoIP glossary) was created to help our users understand common VoIP terminology. Use the search feature to look up VoIP terms, or look up terms alphabetically. Have a question, still unsure what something means? Feel free to
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Packet — A packet is a unit of data. Packets can be made of voice data, images, music, movies and more. Anything sent over the Internet is broken up into packets and sent over the most cost efficient route available.
Packet Switching — Is the process of breaking up data into packets and sending it over the Internet. Data can be sent through various different channels. On the receiving end the data does not need to be received in the same order it was sent. As long as all packets complete the transmission process the packets can reassembled in the proper order at its terminal location.
Personal Area Networks (PAN) — A PAN is a network used for connecting computer devices within a few yards of the user. PANs can be used to connect devices like printers, cameras, keyboards etc. to a computer. The most common technology for PANs is Bluetooth, a form of wireless technology used for close proximity wireless devices.
Private Brand eXchange (PBX) — Is a device used by companies and institutions as a way of distributing telephone lines. A single PBX can distribute hundreds of phone lines within an organization. A PBX reduces the amount of required phone lines in an organization; eliminating the need for each phone to be directly connected to an outside line.
Phone Adapter — An ATA takes the current analog signal your phone provides, converts it into a digital signal and vice versa. An ATA can be used to convert just one phone to a digital phone or to convert an entire house’s phone jacks into a digital phone system.
Phone Jack — A socket connector used to connect telephones in a building to a phone line. A phone jack uses a RJ-11 connection.
Point to Point Protocol (PPP) — Is a protocol for connecting two computers transferring data packets. This allows users connecting to the Internet over different mediums (ISDN, DSL, Cable Modem, etc.) to be able to send information to each other.
Protocol — A set of standards, in the telecommunication sense standards provide interoperability between different mediums. Such as analog phones and VoIP phone technology.
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — Any phone that uses circuit switched technology to communicate between another circuit switched device. Also referred to as Plain Old Telephone Network (POTS).
