Information

SURPASS
Glossary
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Trademarks:
All designations used in this document can be trademarks, the use of which by third parties for their
own purposes could violate the rights of their owners.

Copyright (C) Siemens AG 2003

Issued by the Information and Communication Networks Group
Hofmannstrae 51
D-81359 Mnchen
Technical modifications possible.
Technical specifications and features are binding only insofar as
they are specifically and expressly agreed upon in a written contract.

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This document consists of a total of 18 pages. All pages are issue 1.

Contents
1

How to use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

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1 How to use
This glossary contains standard terms. Terms can be accessed directly from this document via hyperlink.
A
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2 Glossary
A

Accounting data collector, ADC

An accounting data collector module centrally collects detailed automatic message accouning (AMA) records and accounting data from the network elements. In addition, the
flexible module allows for a customer-specific base to convert the native accounting
data format into the format required by existing external billing systems. The latter can
be used without major adaptations. The billing data converter also keeps the same interface between the billing data collector and converter and the external billing system
unchanged in case of network element version upgrade.
ADSL.Lite
Provides maximum bit rates of 1.5 Mbit/s and 500 kbit/s for down-stream and upstream
respectively. ADSL.Lite supports plain old telephone service (POTS) and makes installation at the customer side easier by avoiding the installation of a POTS splitter. Distances of up to 5 km can be reached.
Asymmetric digital subscriber line, ADSL
ADSL allows broadband bidirectionally at bit rates of up to 8 Mbit/s to the subscriber
(downstream) and 800 kbit/s towards the network (upstream). This is achieved by utilizing a frequency band not used for telephony, extending from above 30/120 kHz for
POTS/ISDN-BA (plain old telephone service/ intergrated services digital network - basic
access) up to 1.1 MHz. The maximum distance is at about 5 km.
Authentication, authorization and accounting, AAA
Set of functions on the SURPASS hiQ 10 AAA Server providing authentication, authorisation and accounting for system and network resources.
B

B1-party
B1-party is always the party, which is in charge for the initiated call.
Busy hour call attempts, BHCA
Main performance parameter of a network element.
Traffic-theory parameter which indicates the number of calls and call attempts made
during the busiest hour of the day. The BHCA represent requirements placed on the
switch control and the signaling network and thus determine the traffic dimensioning of
these.

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Call waiting Internet, CWI

SURPASS application with which an Internet user is informed about incoming telephone
calls from the PSTN/ISDN (public switched telephone network/integrated services digital network), even during an active Internet session. The user then can decide whether
to accept, forward or reject the call.
Carrier-class interconnection
Carrier-class interconnection provides a cost-efficient interface from POTS/ISDN to the
service provider networks.
Coder/Decoder, CODEC
Functional unit for the coding and decoding, for example for the conversion and back
conversion of similar signals (e.g. language, music) into digital signals.
CRX-64000
A native IP core router providing a 320 Gbit/s capacity and high-speed IP over ATM and
Packet over SDH/Sonet interfaces.
D

Dense wavelength division multiplexing, DWDM

Combines data from different sources together on an optical fiber, with each signal carried on its own separate light wavelength. Using DWDM separate wavelengths or channels of data can be multiplexed into a light-stream transmitted on a single optical fiber.
DWDM is also sometimes called wave division multiplexing
Digital line unit, DLU
The functional unit where the subscriber lines are terminated. The lines may be analog
or digital, i.e. equipped for ISDN. DLUs can be used locally or remotely in the vicinity of
groups of subscribers. They concentrate subscriber traffic and can be adapted to other
differing traffic volumes by flexible assignment of subscriber lines.
Digital subscriber line access multiplexer, DSLAM
Used to transport voice and data over the subsciber copper loop. The DSLAM multiplexes the data traffic and forwards it to the data network while the voice traffic is offloaded
to a network node in the POTS/ISDN before the DSLAM.

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End customer billing, ECB

The ECB application involves the complete billing process from rating, discounting, invoicing and payment management functions to the handling of bad debtors. The application has to accept new or changing rates. Also integration of IP bills/usage of new
services is required in the billing process. It is also essential for network operators to
base their marketing decisions on profound insight into their own business. ECB provides detailed business reports in order to assist this process.
ERX edge switch router
A new generation carrier-class router that delivers the critical functionality and advanced features service providers require.
External service unit, ESU
Provides gatekeeper functions, authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA)
functions and database functions
F

FastLink
An open multi-service access system for switched and non switched voice and data access services on a completely open platform. The system is a cost-effective distributed
next generation digital loop.
Frame relay, FR
Data network with usually 2 Mbit/s transmission rate.
A variant of Fast Packet Switching (FPS) technology. The transparent and call-oriented
Layer 2 packet protocol LAPD of the Frame Relay works with transmission frames of
variable length. Flow control and transmission security are the responsibility of the associated end systems. The Frame Relay's sole role in detecting frame errors is to relay
only those frames which are error-free; all errored frames are destroyed. Standards:
LAPD ITU-T I.121 and I.122, ITU-T Q.931 (ISDN Frame Relay).
FreecallButton
The FreecallButton application allows an Internet user to contact the FreecallButton service provider (typically the call center of a company) free of charge be initiating a FreecallButton telephone connection.

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G.711
ITU-T series G recommendation for telephone transmission; it specifies the encoding of
analog signals by means of pulse code modulation (PCM) for the ISDN baseband channel.
G.722
ITU-T series G recommendation for telephone transmission; it is based on adaptive differential PCM (ADPCM) coding.
G.723
ITU-T series G recommendation for telephone transmission; it defines speech compression methods in narrowband, multimedia applications with 5.3 - 6.3 kbit/s.
G.728
ITU-T series G recommendation for telephone transmission; it defines audio codec,
which uses 16 kbit/s of a 128 kbit/s channel and makes the remainder available for video
data.
Gatekeeper, GK
Platform providing authentication, authorization and accounting services to VoIP terminals, in particular for address resolution and authorization. The gatekeeper function is
provided by the SURPASS hiQ 20 Registration and Routing Server.
H

H.225
ITU-T series H recommendation for connection setup, packetization and control.
H.245
ITU-T series H recommendation for digital videoconference; it specifies a control protocol for multimedia communication.
H.261
ITU-T series H recommendation for digital videoconference; it defines a codec for video
signals.
H.263
ITU-T series H recommendation for digital videoconference; it specifies an encoding
method for video data for videotelephony and PC-based videoconferences.
H.320
ITU-T series H recommendation for digital video communication in ISDN-based systems. Oldest general recommendation, considered as the standard above all others.

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H.323
ITU-T series H recommendation for videotelephone systems and terminals for packetswitched LAN networks without a guaranteed bandwidth.

H.323+
In order to make analog, ISDN and CENTREX subscriber features available to multimedia users Siemens SURPASS provides the future-proof H.323+ protocol.
H.324
ITU-T series H recommendation for low bit-rate multimedia communication; it contains
various other recommendations such as a video codec via V.34 modem transmissions
to analog telephone lines as well as ATM and ISDN.
I

Intelligent Network Application Protocol, INAP

Standardized interface for the Intelligent Network (IN) which allows service providers
other than the network operators to offer services via their own IN platforms.
Integrated services digital network user part, ISUP
The protocol used to set up, manage and release trunk circuits that carry voice and data
between an originating and a terminating network node (for example, between a calling
party and a called party). ISUP is used for both ISDN and non-ISDN calls. However,
calls that originate and terminate at the same switch do not use ISUP signaling.
Inter-Carrier Billing, ICB
This application provides powerful rating, discounting and reporting functions as a prerequisite to reliable and accurate intercarrier accounting and verification of invoices received from other carriers. Charges between carriers are normally rather high. Even
small errors/inaccuracies can add up to considerable sums. Very flexible pricing options
(as for end customer billing) are also available as complex tariff schemes between carriers are becoming very likely in competitive, deregulated markets.
Internet service provider, ISP
Company that provides Internet access to other companies and individuals.
IP routers
Form the distributed, IP-based switching fabric between ingress and egress media gateways and transport the signaling information between media gateways, media gateway
controller and signaling gateway.

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L2TP access concentrator function, LAC

L2TP access concentrator (LAC) function is used to enable the SURPASS hiG multiport Media Gateway to connect analog or ISDN users to multiple ISPs. The SURPASS
hiG Media Gateway sets up an IP tunnel (layer 2 tunnel) to each supported ISP. The
information is transported transparently via IP tunnel to the different ISP.
Layer 2 tunnelling protocol, L2TP
The L2TP permits tunnelling of the link layer of point-to-point protocol (PPP) across a
network (e.g. IP) It is used to separate the initial dial-up server (at the end of a serial
line, e.g. ISDN) from the location of the PPP termination (e.g. at an ISP site across an
IP network).
M

Main-StreetXpress 36190
It is a highly scalable ATM core switch designed for large scale networks.
Media gateway controller protocol, MGCP
The media gateway controller protocol as described in RFC 2705 by the IETF is used
to centrally control voice over data gateways and network access servers.
Media gateway controller, MGC
Performs call and connection control for a number of separate voice or multimedia
channels. It provides interworking of signaling and call control between various circuit
and packet switched networks and provides value adding services. The media gateway
controller function is provided by the SURPASS hiQ 9200.
Media gateway, MG
A device that terminates circuit switched and packet network media streams and transfers the media between packet (e.g. IP) and switched networks for both modem calls
and Voice over IP.
Multiprotocol label switching, MPLS
Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) initiative that integrates layer 2 information about network links (bandwidth, latency, utilization) into layer 3 (IP) to simplify and improve IP-packet exchange. MPLS gives
network operators flexibility to divert and route traffic around link failures, congestion
and bottlenecks. MPLS introduces the advantages of switching into MPLS enabled IP
networks, which leads to improved throughput, speed and quality of service (QoS).

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NetConfiguration management, NCM

NCM supports network-wide, coordinated expansion, modification, integration and documentation of switch interconnection database data in EWSD/SURPASS network elements. It collects the routing, SS7, tariff and traffic interconnection data and can
therefore store the actual status of the connected EWSD/SURPASS network nodes.
The operational tasks for call routing, SS7 and the other interconnection administration
of an EWSD/SURPASS network node can be considerably simplified and accelerated
with the help of the NCM.
NetManager
The efficient management system for EWSD and SURPASS network solutions. The
NetManager performs all operating, administration and maintenance functions on
EWSD and SURPASS network elements. With its help, operating staff can easily handle the combined functionality of voice and data services.
NetMeeting
NetMeeting is a Microsoft H.323 application. It is used to establish, control and finish
H.323 communication with a gatekeeper (any number service) or a gateway (predefined
number service).
O

Open service platform, OSP

Provides a programming environment for a fast implementation of applications to own
providers or third-party developers. The OSP is applied by the SURPASS hiQ 4000.
P

Packet Hub, PHub

1. The Packet Hub is a powerful and cost-effective central data module of the digital line
unit (DLU) which brings the xDSL traffic from the customers to the core network. Up to
14 xDSL cards can be connected to one Packet Hub (up to 6 for ADSL)
2. The Packet Hub implements the central intelligenz of the SURPASS Media Gateway.
It forms the interface between the basic data streams of the Modem Pool Card and the
data network with its routing and performance requirements.
Packet manager, PM
The packet manager handles signaling traffic over IP. It is the interface from the PSTN
to the IP network. It is part of the SURPASS hiQ 9200.
Performance management long-term application
This application performs monitoring and analysis for daily, weekly and monthly evaluation of traffic data for voice and IP. It generates network-wide reports for quality control
of service goals, service level agreements (SLA) and overall traffic attributes.

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Point of presence, PoP

Location where a service provider has a dial-in access presence.
Point-to-point protocol, PPP
Data link layer protocol that provides the facilities for connecting a single host over a
point-to-point link to a network. PPP comprises a method for encapsulating multi-protocol datagrams in the physical layer (ISDN, Frame Relay, AAL5, Sonet/ SDH,...), a link
control protocol (LCP) for establishing, configuring, and testing a data-link connection,
a set of protocols for authentication and a family of network control protocols (NCP) for
establishing and configuring different network layer protocols (mainly IP, but also IPX,
Apple Talk, DECnet, ...).
PSTN-Internet interworking, PINT
A service protocol which enables invocation of certain telephone services from an IP
network. These services include placing basic calls, sending and receiving faxes and
receiving content over the telephone.
R

Remote access dial-in user service, RADIUS

Protocol for managing an AAA database on a server.
Remote access server, RAS
A platform that provides dial-in access (modem and ISDN access) for connecting to
data networks. It terminates TDM access line and provides the packet-based access to
the data network/Internet.
Requestor
An Internet host from which a request for service originates.
S

Service control point, SCP

Database providing information necessary for special call processing and routing, including 0800 and 0900 call services, credit and calls, local number portability, and advanced call center applications.
Servlet
A servlet is a Java module, which is executed by the operating system of the server.
Servlet engine
The servlets are executed by a servlet engine. This engine is considered as an extension to the Web server.

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Signaling gateway
The signaling gateway performs the mediation between SS7 signaling in the
POTS/ISDN, INAP signaling in the intelligent network (IN) and H.323 signaling in the
data network. The signaling gateway function is provided by the SURPASS hiQ 9200.
Signaling System No.7, SS7
Worldwide standard for common channel signaling system.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
The Session Initiation Protocol can be seen as a competitive protocol to the H.323 protocol suite. It is an application-layer control (signaling) protocol, used for creating, modifying and terminating sessions with one or more participants. Sessions include, but are
not limited to, IP telephony calls and multi-media conferences.
Its main functions are:
- Initiate or terminate sessions
- Find users current location to deliver invitation
- Transport session description transparently
- Modify session characteristics
SIP-T
The Session Initiation Protocol for Telephony is a mechanism to facilitate the interconnection of a PSTN network with a SIP based VoIP network. Basically, it provides PSTN
feature transparency for PSTN-IP-PSTN calls, through encapsulation and translation.
At the point of inter-connection SS7 ISUP messages are encapsulated within SIP messages, so that the information necessary for services is not discarded. Also, certain information is translated from an SS7 ISUP message to generate the corresponding SIP
header information in order to facilitate the routing of SIP messages.
SIP Client
An application program that sends SIP requests. Clients may or may not interact directly
with a human user. User agents and proxies contain clients (and servers).
SIP Proxy, Proxy Server
An intermediary program that acts as both a server and a client for the purpose of making requests on behalf of other clients. Requests are serviced internally or by passing
them on, possibly after translation, to other servers. A proxy interprets, and, if necessary, rewrites a request message before forwarding it.
Proxy servers are, for example, used to route requests, enforce policies, control firewalls.
SURPASS
The Siemens solution in networking that combines the voices features, reliability and
quality of service of circuit switch intervals with the advantages and efficiencies of
packet based networking.

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SURPASS hiG
Siemens product line for media gateways. The Siemens SURPASS hiG product family
bridges the gap between packet-based networks and circuit-switched networks. Controlled by SURPASS hiQ 9200, the SURPASS hiG provides the media stream conversion between TDM and IP or ATM networks.
SURPASS hiG 1000
The SURPASS hiG 1000 is the highly reliable border element between circuit-switched
networks and the IP networks. It supports both RAS functionality and VoIP functionality.
The SURPASS hiG 1000 is controlled by the SURPASS hiQ 9200 via MGCP.
SURPASS hiQ 10
The SURPASS hiQ 10 AAA server plays a crucial role for authentication, authorization
and accounting for carrier-grade identification of dial-in users.
SURPASS hiQ 20
The SURPASS hiQ 20 Registration and Routing server acts as an H.323 gatekeeper. It
provides all the necessary registration and routing functionalities for H.323 terminals
wherever they are located.
SURPASS hiQ 30
The SURPASS hiQ 30 Directory server is a central database being accessed via LDAP.
It is dedicated to storing in particular user profiles of authorized dial-in users and registered H.323 and SIP users.
SURPASS hiG 1600
The SURPASS hiG 1600 V2 is a media gateway for access that converts media
streams coming from TDM networks to media streams for IP networks and vice versa
and is controled by SURPASS hiQ 9200. The SURPASS hiG 1600 V2 consists of at
least one packet service controler (PSC) and supports interfaces to subscriber units
(V93, V5.2, ISDN PRI), trunk interfaces for backdoor trunking and an IP interface towards an IP backbone.
SURPASS hiQ 4000
The SURPASS hiQ 4000 Open service platform (OSP) opens the call processing functions of the SURPASS hiQ 9200 to be used by new Multimedia Applications. With the
introduction of the openblocTM family hosted on the SURPASS hiQ 4000 the call processing capabilities of the switch are opened to third party developers. Thus the SURPASS hiQ 4000 provides the advantages of an IP based platform while at the same time
relying on the proven carrier grade call control features and billing capabilities of a SURPASS hiQ 9200 or an EWSD network node.
SURPASS hiQ 6200
The SURPASS hiQ 6200 SIP server acts as a session initiating protocol (SIP) gatekeeper in the SURPASS Voice over IP scenario. It provides all the necessary registration and routing functionalities for SIP terminals. The SURPASS hiQ 6200 is
configurable as collocated SIP proxy/ registration server or collocated SIP redirect/ registration server.

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SURPASS hiQ 9200

The SURPASS hiQ 9200 is the brain of the SURPASS network solutions. It serves as
Call Feature Server to provide flexible subscriber services in any network and as Media
gateway controller to set up carrier-grade connections to the Internet. Both functions
can be combined to build a VoIP backbone. Optionally the SURPASS hiQ 9200 includes
signaling gateway functionality.
SURPASS hiR 200
The SURPASS hiR 200 is a carrier grade IP resources server that provides tones, announcements and user interactive dialogues to New Generation Networks via the Voice
over IP (VoIP) technology. It consists of a Resource Voice Server that provides the media stream interface to the network (VoIP) and the call control interface to the SURPASS
hiQ 9200 Call Feature Server and a Resource Content Server that contains the dialogues and announcements offered in the SURPASS solutions in form of VoiceXML
scripts.
SURPASS hiS 700
With SURPASS hiS 700 a powerful and versatile stand-alone Signaling Gateway is
available to handle SS7 over TDM and SS7 over IP.
T

Time division multiplexing, TDM

Technique in which information from multiple channels can be allocated on a single wire
based on pre-assigned time slots.
V

Very high-bit-rate digital subscriber line, VDSL

VDSL achieves bit rates of up to 12 Mbit/s downstream and upstream for symmetric services and up to 26 Mbit/s downstream and 3.2 Mbit/s upstream for asymmetric services.
VDSL is still under standardization in ETSI. The distances to be covered by VDSL will
be at a maximum of 0,5 - 1,5 km.
VoxPortal
The VoxPortal platform provides voice access to Internet-based service applications
(automatic speech dialog services) based on the new VoiceXML standard. It enables
users to easily access these new Web-based services from any normal telephone, mobile phone, IP based or H.323 PC client and to operate them by spoken commands, natural language or dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) dial tones.

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XpressLink
A high performance access system which allows the high speed transmission of data
via existing copper lines without affecting standard telephony services (POTS and
ISDN-BA) on the same line.
Z

Zone
A zone (according to H.323 standard) is the collection of all terminals, gateway and multipoint control units (MCU) managed by a single gatekeeper. A zone includes at least
one terminal and may or may not include gateways or MCU. A zone has one and only
one gatekeeper. A zone may be independent of network topology and may be comprised of multiple network segments which are connected using routers or other devices. In an IP based PBX configuration the zone concept maps easily in the network
topology. The terminals are eventually located in the same network segment. The users
can register to the gatekeeper from every terminal within the zone.

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