Table of Contents
Advertisement
Glossary
Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI): One of the six components of a frame relay frame. Its purpose is to distinguish
separate virtual circuits across each access connection. Data coming into a frame relay node is thus allowed to be sent
across the interface to the specified "address". The DLCI is confirmed and relayed to its destination, or if the specification is
in error, the frame is discarded.
Data Terminal Ready (DTR): A control signal sent from the DTE to the DCE that indicates that the DTE is powered on and
ready to communicate.
Dataphone Digital Service (DDS): A private line digital service that offers 2400, 4800, 9600 and 56 Kbps data rates on an
inter-LATA basis by AT&T and on an intra-LATA basis by the BOCs.
Data Service Unit (DSU): A device that provides a digital data service interface directly to the data terminal equipment. The
DSU provides loop equalization, remote and local testing capabilities, and a standard EIA/CCITT interface.
Dedicated Line: A communication line that is not switched. The term leased line is more common.
Default: This is a preset value or option in software packages, or in hardware configuration, that is used unless you specify
otherwise.
Device driver: Software that controls how a computer communicates with a device, such as a printer or mouse.
Digital Cross-connect System (DCS): The CO device which splits and redistributes the T1 bandwidth. the DCS takes time
slots from various T1 lines and alters them to provide the needed connectivity. DCS connections are made with software at
an administrator's workstation.
Digital Data: Information represented by discrete values or conditions (contrast "Analog Data").
Digital Loopback: A technique used for testing the circuitry of a communications device. Can be initiated locally, or
remotely (via a telecommunications device). The tested device decodes and encodes a received test message, then echoes
the message back. The results are compared with the original message to determine if corruption occurred en route.
Digital PBX: A Private Branch Exchange that operates internally on digital signals. See also "Exchange".
Digital Service, level 0 (DS0): The worldwide standard speed (64 Kbps) for digital voice conversation using PCM (pulse
coded modulation).
Digital Service, level 1 (DS1): The 1.544M bps voice standard (derived from an older Bell System standard) for digitized
voice transmission in North America. The 1.544M bps consists of 24 digitally-encoded 64 Kbps voice channels (north
America) and 2.048M bps (30 channels) elsewhere.
Digital Signal: A discrete or discontinuous signal (e.g., a sequence of voltage pulses). Digital devices, such as terminals
and computers, transmit data as a series of electrical pulses which have discrete jumps rather than gradual changes.
Digital Signaling Rates (DSn): A hierarchical system for transmission rates, where "DS0" is 64 Kbps (equivalent to ISDN B
channel), and DS1 is 1.5 Mbps (equivalent to ISDN PRI).
Digital Transmission: A method of electronic information transmission common between computers and other digital
devices. Analog signals are waveforms: a combination of many possible voltages. A computer's digital signal may be only
"high" or "low" at any given time. Therefore, digital signals may be "cleaned up" (noise and distortion removed) and
amplified during transmission.
Digitize: To convert an analog signal to a digital signal.
DIP switch (pronounced "dip switch"): A set of tiny toggle switches, built into a DIP (dual in-line package), used for
setting configurable parameters on a PCB (printed circuit board).
Domain Name Server (DNS): Also known as "resolvers", are a system of computers which convert domain names into IP
addresses, which consist of a string of four numbers up to three digits each. Each applicant for a domain name must
provide both a primary and a secondary DNS server; a domain name which fails to provide both primary and secondary
DNS servers is known as a "lame delegation."
Driver: A software module that interfaces between the Operating System and a specific hardware device (i.e. color
monitors, printers, hard disks, etc.). Also known as a device driver.
Drop and Insert: The process where a portion of information carried in a transmission system is demodulated ("Dropped")
at an intermediate point and different information is included ("Inserted") for subsequent transmission.
DTE (Data Terminating Equipment): A term used to include any device in a network which generates, stores or displays
user information. DTE is a telecommunications term which usually refers to PCs, terminals, printers, etc.
DTMF (Dual-Tone MultiFrequency): A generic push-button concept made popular by AT&T TouchTone.
MTPSR1-202ST
129
Advertisement
Table of Contents
