Dictionary

This dictionary has been set up to help you better understand the technical "lingo" associated with voice and data communication. Simply click on a letter below to find a particular word.

Backbone
A line or set of lines that local area networks connect to for a wide area network connection or within a local area network to span distances efficiently (for example, between buildings).

Back-up/Restore PC Card
An Avaya proprietary PC card that is used like a floppy disk to back up both system and telephone programming settings and to restore these settings if they become corrupted.

Bandwidth
The transmission capacity of a given facility, in terms of how much data the facility can transmit in a fixed amount of time, measured in bits per second.

Behind Switch Mode
One of three modes of system operation in which the control unit is connected to (behind) another telephone switching system, such as Centrex or DEFINITY, which provides features and services to telephone users.

Bilingual Mode
A voice mail system operation that allows callers to select one of two languages in which system prompts, menus and announcements are played.

Bit
The smallest unit of data in a computer. In most computer systems, there are 8 bits to a byte.

Bps
The abbreviation for bits-per-second, a measurement of how fast data is moved from one place to another. A 56K modem can mov 56,000 bits per second.

Bridging
Adding yourself to a call already in progress.

Broadcast Feature
This voice mail feature allows you to record and send the same message to multiple mailboxes.

Bundled Cable
An assembly of two or more cables, continuously bound together to form a single unit prior to installation. Also known as loomed, speed-wrap or whip cable constructions.