Here are the most common terms related to VoIP and their brief definitions:
Average Hold Time, AHT Average Hold Time (AHT) is the average time frame from the moment a caller completes dialing and the moment that a call is acknowledged or concluded. The formula used in determining AHT is:
Total Call Time divided by Amount of Calls
Analog Telephone Adapter, ATA
An Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) is a gadget that is used to connect analog phones to non-standard or digital telephony systems such a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The analog phone is connected into the device, which then transmits data through an Ethernet connection using an Internet router.
Basic Telephony Extended Markup Language, BTXMLBasic Telephony Extended Markup Language (BTXML) is defined as a system and scripting language that provides for a more controlled operation of IP-based phones. It creates the required application infrastructure for IP-based telephony, which is independent of terminal and protocol.
Converged Application Platform, CAPThe converged application platform provides a common and scalable architecture that supports data, video and telephony services with the use of a single device. The CAP assumes multiple functions which include enterprise routing, voice switching, VPN and firewall, application services, Wi-Fi and WAN access.
Communications over Internet Protocol, CoIPCommunications over Internet Protocol (CoIP) is an extension of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). It refers to a standard set that is used to define the transmission of data, including images, videos and text, through the Internet.
Dial PeerA dial peer is also referred to as addressable call endpoint. It is an application structure that binds a digit string that is dialed to an IP address or voice port of the destination gateway. In VoIP, the dial peer can either be voice-network or plain old telephone service (POTS) addressable call endpoint.
Fax over Internet Protocol, FoIPFax over Internet Protocol (FoIP) is the digital technology that enables the interoperability of standard fax machines with packet-based systems. Through this technology, a fax is sent through the Internet as an alternative to the traditional method of transmitting fax messages through traditional telephone lines.
HairpinHairpin, as it is applied in VoIP, refers to the event where a call back is sent in the direction of its point of origin. If a call routing is not possible over Internet protocol at the closest gateway to the target telephone, the call is usually sent back to the local zone in the same manner from which it was transmitted.
Hoot and Holler Hoot and Holler are networks that provide multi-user and multi-site conferences that are “always on.” This means that users are not required to “dial-into” the ongoing conference.
Inter-Asterisk eXchange Protocol, IAXThe Inter-Asterisk Exchange protocol (IAX) is the typical Asterisk PBX protocol used in the set up of interactive user sessions. This communications protocol is now supported by an increasing number of VoIP platforms. It was developed by Mark Spenser as a robust alternative to SIP, Media Gateway Control Protocol and Real-Time Transport Protocol.
Internet PhoneThe Internet Phone is a popular Voice over Internet Protocol application. There are two products that are classified as Internet Phone – one that was produced by VocalTec, Ltd., and another one that was developed by Intel.
Internet TelephonyInternet telephony is the technology that integrates telephony into computer networks. This category of hardware and software applications convert analog signals into digital voice signals, transmit them through the Internet, and restore them to their original form. The VoIP is a common example of Internet telephony application.
Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange, IP PBXThe Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange (IP PBX) is a phone-based communication system that is configured for VoIP. The functions and capabilities of the IP PBX are similar to the conventional PBX. The main difference is that communication services for IP PBX are provided over data networks such as WAN or LAN, while standard PBX relies on circuit-switched networks.
JitterWhen applied to VoIP, jitters define the kind of packet delay where such event bears on the quality of phone conversation. It is basically the time lag between packets that are arriving. The variation can be due to several factors such as network congestion, route change and timing drift.
LatencyWhen applied to VoIP, latency, which is also referred to as lag, is the time difference between the point at which a voice packet is sent out and the point at which it reaches its intended destination. The main cause of lag is a slow network, and the delay results to the familiar echo we normally observe while making IP-based calls.
Mean Opinion Score, MOSMean Opinion Score (MOS) is the parameter used in measuring the quality of voice at the destination point of the communication circuit. It is expressed as a single whole number within the range of 1, which is the lowest perceived voice quality, to 5, which is the highest perceived voice quality.
Media Gateway Controller, MGCA media gateway controller (MGC), which is also referred to as Call Agent, is a system that is used in some IP telephony architectures. MGC is primarily responsible for the registration and management available resources at the media gateway. It swaps information with the central office switches through a signaling gateway.
Media ServerIn both online communications and Internet, the media server is responsible for the processing of all multi-media applications including on-demand faxing, call distribution, e-mail programs, etc. For specific VoIP application, media servers are responsible for the processing and generation of media streams and handling of all functions that are related to multiple stream bridging, script processing, audio recording and tones decoding.
SIPphoneSIPphone is a free VoIP service that is based on Session Initiated Protocol (SIP). In order to use Softphone you must have either a softphone application or SIPphone adapter and a broadband Internet connection.
Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIPVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the category of software and hardware that allows people to utilize the Internet as the medium of transmission for phone calls. This communication technology involves the sending of packets of voice data using Internet protocol instead of the traditional communication circuit transmissions.
