GLOSSARY

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GLOSSARY

A
Add/drop
multiplexer

A network element that can add and remove information from the
network data stream. SONETLYNX is an example of a fiber optic
add/drop multiplexer.

Alarms

Alarms relay information about changes in the status of the network

or network device. SONETLYNX equipment provides configurable
alarms for a variety of situations.

AMI

Alternate Mark Inversion. A T1 line coding format. SONETLYNX

supports AMI and B8ZS line coding.

Asynchronous

A method of data transmission that does not require a central timing

source. Asynchronous transmission uses methods such as start bits
and stop bits to identify different data characters for the receiver.

ATM

Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A data transmission protocol that

uses short, fixed-length cells to transport various types of data
traffic. ATM was designed to run over a SONET fiber optic
backbone.

Attenuator

An optic element that reduces the intensity of light passing through

it.

Auto ringdown
circuit

A circuit that connects two phones directly. When one phone is

lifted, the distant phone will ring.

B
B8ZS

Bipolar Zero Eight Substitution. A T1 line coding format.

SONETLYNX supports AMI and B8ZS line coding.

Backbone

The fiber optic cable between the nodes of a network.

Backplane

The part of the SONETLYNX shelf that transfers data between the
protocol modules and the OC controllers and between modules and
their associated paddleboards.

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GLOSSARY

Bandwidth

The capacity of a network or device to carry data. For example the

maximum bandwidth that can be handled by an OC-1 network is
51.84 Mbps.

Baud

The baud rate is the rate at which data is transferred and roughly
translates to the number of bits per second.

Bit

A binary digit which can be represented in voltage by an on or high

state (equaling 1) and a off or low state (equaling 0). A bit is the
most basic way to store or transmit information.

BIT

Built in Test

Bridge

A data communication device used to connect two or more

networks. Typically a bridge is used in Ethernet and other
LAN/WAN applications. SONETLYNX reduces the need for
bridges in LAN/WAN networks.

Byte

In a computer, a collection of bits that are processed together as a

single unit or data character. A byte will typically represent an
alphanumeric character, but it can also be part of a larger binary
number. The most common byte is 8 bits long (also referred to as
an octet).

Bytesynchronous
mapping

A method of mapping payload into virtual tributaries so that subrate channels can be accessed within the signal. For example, the
SONETLYNX byte-synchronous T1 module can add/drop individual
DS0s out of the T1 channel.

C
CCITT

Consultative Committee on International Telegraphy and

Telephony. Part of the International Telecommunications Union
(ITU), CCITT establishes telecommunications industry standards.

Chassis

The physical housing into which the SONETLYNX modules are

installed. Intelect offers a 19 chassis that holds up to 14 modules
and a 23 chassis that holds up to 17 modules. Also referred to as a
shelf. Compare with node.

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GLOSSARY

Chat

A SONETLYNX NMS feature that allows system administrators at

different locations on the SONETLYNX network to exchange text
messages.

Cladding

The layer of glass or other transparent material surrounding the

light-carrying core of an optical fiber.

Clear channel

A digital circuit that transmits data without the need for control bits
(i.e., signaling), allowing for full bandwidth usage. In clear-channel
transport, the data is passed through network elements without any
modification.

Clocking

A signal used to synchronize data transmission in synchronous

networks. The SONETLYNX network uses one timing source to
provide timing to all of the nodes.

Collision

A collision occurs when two data packets attempt to use the same
cable or connection at the exact same timethey "bump into" each
other. When collisions occur, both packet are ruined and will have
to be retransmitted.

Competitive
access provider
(CAP)

A company that operates a private network and provides services to

customers.

Concatenated
payloads

A method of combining several STS-1s to create a single highbandwidth transmission channel.

Configuration
matrix

A table containing configuration information for all SONETLYNX

nodes on a network. The development and use of this matrix is
suggested in order to facilitate the installation and use of a
SONETLYNX system.

Core

The central part of an optical fiber that carries light.

Craft interface

An RS-232 connection on the face of the SONETLYNX OC-1/OC-3

controller that allows connection to the SONETLYNX network.
Network parameters and module configurations can be changed by
connecting a computer with NMS software to the craft interface.

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GLOSSARY

Cross-connect

See digital cross-connect.

CS4

An intelligent, scaleable, programmable digital telecommunications

switch that features a service creation environment.

D
Dark fiber

Excess fiber that is not in use (i.e., not carrying light). Because
physical installation accounts for a large portion of the costs of
implementing a fiber optic network, it is common practice to install
extra fiber that is reserved for future use.

dBm

Decibel referencing 1 milliwatt.

Decibel (dB)

A logarithmic comparison of power levels, defined as ten times the

base-ten logarithm of the ratio of the two power levels.

Demultiplexing

The process of recovering signals that were combined in a

multiplexed signal and restoring them to distinct channels.

Digital crossconnect

A network element that can access lower-rate channels inside

higher-rate multiplexed signals and rearrange those channels.
Digital cross connects are typically used to connect external
equipment to the network. In many cases, SONETLYNX can
eliminate the need for digital cross-connect equipment.

DS1

Digital Signal level 1. A 1.544 Mbps signal carried by T1

equipment. Twenty-eight DS1s are carried within an STS-1.

E
E&M signaling

A method of signaling between junction equipment in an exchange

and a signaling unit associated with the transmission equipment
using two leads: a receive (E) lead and a transmit (M) lead. The
system is used where signaling is transmitted on a circuit separate
from the speech path but associated with it, e.g., over carrier or
radio systems

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GLOSSARY

Earth ground

The connection of an electrical system to earth to provide lightning

and static protection as well as to establish the zero-voltage
reference for the system.

Electromagnetic
interference
(EMI)

Noise generated when stray electromagnetic fields induce currents

in electrical conductors.

Ethernet

A Local Area Network (LAN) protocol used to connect computers,

printers, workstations and other network devices. Ethernet can
accommodate up to 14,800 64 byte packets per second (10 Mbps).

Ethernet hub

A piece of equipment used in an Ethernet LAN that distributes data

to Ethernet ports. The distinguishing characteristic of the Ethernet
hub is that all of the data received by the hub is broadcast to every
Ethernet port to which the hub is attached.

Encapsulated
packets

In layered network protocols, the process by which each layer adds

overhead information to the packet received from the layer before
it. For example, Ethernet networks take data packets from a PC and
adds Ethernet overhead information to the beginning and end of the
packet. In turn, when the Ethernet packet is prepared for
transmission over a SONET network, the Ethernet packet is
enclosed (encapsulated) in SONET overhead information.

Error counters

A SONETLYNX Ethernet performance monitoring device used to

track the number of Ethernet errors occurring within specified time
periods. The counting periods can be defined and manipulated in
the SONETLYNX NMS.

External alarms

Alarms pertaining to equipment that is not part of the SONETLYNX

network. Typically external alarms are trip relay systems.
External alarms can be routed through the SONETLYNX network by
connecting them to the OC-1/OC-3 controller or to the universal
module. Each OC-1/OC-3 controller can support up to four
external alarm inputs; each universal module can support up to
eight.

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GLOSSARY

External
equipment

End user equipment attached to the SONETLYNX modules.

Typically this includes telephones, computers, cameras, etc.

F
Fiber

An extremely thin glass filament upon which light signals are

transmitted. A typical fiber is about the same diameter as a human
hair. A variety of fiber types are available to serve many customer
applications.

Fiber optics

A method of transferring data from one point to another using light.

FPGA

(Field Programmable Gate Array) A specialized microprocessor

that has no physical connections between its logic gates when it
leaves the factory. But it has a huge number of potential
connections, that can be firmed up in the field by a programmer
with the right tools. The XILINX processor on each SonetLYNX
module is an example of a FPGA.

Frequency
division
multiplexing

Combining analog signals by assigning each a different carrier

frequency and merging them in a single signal with a broad array of
frequencies.

FXO

Foreign Exchange Office.

FXS

Foreign Exchange Station.

G
Grooming

The process of allocating the least amount of bandwidth possible

for each communication channel. For example, the SONETLYNX
low-speed data module can be provisioned so that each channel uses
only one DS0.

Grounding

The process of attaching electrical equipment to a ground.

SONETLYNX equipment must be attached to earth ground to
prevent damage from electrical surges.

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GLOSSARY

H
HP OPENVIEW

A network management software program used to operate the

SONETLYNX network. The provisioning and alarm tracking
functions operate through HP OPENVIEW.

Hub

A piece of equipment used in an Ethernet LAN that distributes data

to Ethernet ports. The distinguishing characteristic of the Ethernet
hub is that all of the data received by the hub is broadcast to every
Ethernet port to which the hub is attached.

I
Interoperability

The ability for systems from different vendors to communicate with

each other. SONETLYNX has the ability to interoperate with several
other vendors SONET equipment.

ITU

International Telecommunications Union. See CCITT

J
Jabbering

In LAN technology, this term refers to continuously sending

random data (garbage). Normally used to describe the action of a
station (whose circuitry or logic has failed) that locks up the
network with its incessant transmission.

L
LAN

Local Area Network.

Laser

From Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A

device that generates intense, directional light with a narrow range
of wavelengths. Laser light is coherent and thus does not disperse
easily, making it ideal for long-rang transmissions. Semiconductor
diode lasers are the standard light sources in fiber optic systems.
Compare with LED.

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GLOSSARY

LED

Light Emitting Diode. A solid state device that emits light when
electrically stimulated. LED light is less coherent than laser light, is
not directional, and is more susceptible to dispersion..

Lightwave

As an adjective, a synonym for optical, often (but not always)

meaning fiber optic.

Line overhead

A part of the SONET overhead that is terminated by every network

element except regenerators. Compare with path overhead and
section overhead.

Loopstart
circuit

The standard world-wide telephone circuit. For a phone to signal

the telephone system that it wants to make a call, it applies a DC
termination across the phone line.

Loss budget

An accounting of overall attenuation in a system.

Low speed data

module

A module that sends and receives data at sub-T1 speeds (under

1.544 Mbps). Intelect offers four low-speed data modules: RS-232,
RS-422, RS-449 and V.35.

M
Main control
center

The central location of network activities. This area usually

includes one NMS, fiber optic and analog patch panels, a
SONETLYNX node and network monitoring equipment. Each
SONETLYNX network will have a main control center.

Mapping

The process of assigning SONETLYNX modules a specific location

within a network.

Master

The point in a point-to-point or multidrop communication circuit

where communication begins and terminates. For some modules,
such as the RS-232, there must be a master module designated for
each circuit. Each circuit must have exactly one master.

Microwave

A communication transport that uses electromagnetic radio waves.

Microwave is a common transport for voice and data applications.

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GLOSSARY

Modular

A design that consists of plug-in units that can be added to a system

to increase capacity or functionality. The SONETLYNX system is
completely modular, in that modules can be added or removed
without affecting the performance of other modules.

Module

A piece of a modular system. SONETLYNX offers a variety of

modules that provide functionality to the SONETLYNX network.

Multidrop

A communication protocol that includes many ports. One port is

designated as master and the remaining ports are designated
slaves.

Multi-mode
fiber

Fiber optic cable that has multiple light paths through the fiber.

Multiplexing

The process of combining two or more signals to create a single

signal that can be broadcast across a network backbone.

N
Network

One or more communication devices connected by a common

transport medium, such as fiber.

Network
topology

The way in which the fiber cable is physically laid out. The most
common topologies are linear, star and ring. Most SONET
networks are created using a ring topology.

NMS

Network Management System. The SONETLYNX NMS operates

on top of HP OpenView.

Node

A SONETLYNX chassis that is populated with controller modules,

connected to the SONETLYNX network and mapped to a network
address. With split backplane shelves, a single chassis can contain
more than one node. Compare with chassis.

O
OAM&P

Operation, Administration, Maintenance and Provisioning.

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GLOSSARY

OC controller

The Optical Carrier (OC) Controller converts electrical STS signals

received from modules installed in the node into optical signals and
transmits them onto the network. It also decodes optical signals
received from the network and transmits them as electrical signals
to the modules installed in the node. Intelect offers OC-1 and OC-3
controller modules.

Optical carrier
levels

The optical carrier levels designate the speed at which the optical
carrier transmits data. Intelect offers OC-1 and OC-3 controller
modules.

Optical
interconnect

An interconnection unit used for circuit administration. Unlike an

optical cross-connect, the interconnection unit does not use patch
cords.

Overhead

Transmission control information included with data sent on the

network. The overhead provides such information as mapping,
message length and error checking.

P
Packetization

The act of placing information in packets so that it can be sent

across the network. Ethernet LAN and ATM networks use
packetized information.

Paddleboard

A piece of equipment used on the SONETLYNX node to connect the

customers external equipment to the network. Each SONETLYNX
module has at least one specific paddleboard.

Parity

An error-checking method where the transmitting element counts

the number of 1s appearing in the data character and records
whether that number is even or odd. When the signal is received,
the receiver also counts the number of ones and compares it to the
parity sent by the transmitter. If a single bit became corrupt, the
parity will not match.

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GLOSSARY

Patch panel

A demarcation point between network equipment and the

customers external equipment. Patch panels allow maintenance to
the network without disturbing the customers external equipment,
and vice versa.

Path overhead

A portion of the SONET overhead that is carried end-to-end and

only accessed by terminal multiplexers. The path overhead resides
inside the SPE. Compare with line overhead and section overhead.

Payload
envelope

The portion of the SONET transmission that involves the actual

data intended for the end user. SONET also carries overhead
information, that is used to facilitate network communication.

PBX

Private Branch Exchange. A PBX is a privately owned, usually

smaller, version of a telephone company central office switch.

Plesiochronous

Almost synchronous. If two networks are operating with clocks of

sufficient high quality such that the signals of the two systems are
nearly synchronous, the networks are plesiochronous.

Pointer

A pointer indicates where the SPE begins within the SONET frame.
Because the SPE can float, depending upon timing variations, the
pointer may be in different locations from one frame to the next.

Point-to-point

A communication protocol in which two modules are connected

directly to each other.

Private fiber
optic network

A fiber optic network that is privately owned and operated, as

opposed to a network that is owned and operated by the telephone
company.

Protect ring

The secondary ring in a dual counter-rotating ring topology. The

protection ring carries the same data as the working ring. It takes
over in case of a fiber break or network failure involving the
working ring.

Provisioning

The process of defining the way that each module communicates

with other SONETLYNX modules and the external equipment
attached to it. Provisioning includes VT1.5 mapping, channel
configuration and alarm assignment.

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GLOSSARY

PTZ

Pan, Tilt, Zoom. A common acronym referring to the ability to

remotely control pan, tilt and zoom functions of a video camera.
The SONETLYNX video module provides PTZ functionality.

R
RBOC

Regional Bell Operating Company. Often used as a synonym for

Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) or local telephone company.

Receiver

A device that detects an optical signal and converts it into an

electrical form usable by other devices.

Redundancy

Duplicating identical data on an alternate transport medium to

protect communications in the event of a network failure. For
example, in the SONETLYNX network, a redundant protect ring may
be installed in case the working ring malfunctions. On the
SONETLYNX chassis, a redundant bus structure protects the
integrity of data being exchanged between modules in the same
node.

Regenerator

A digital network element that reproduces a received signal exactly

as it was received and transmits it. Regenerators allow digital
signals to travel beyond the range of the originating transmitter.
Compare with repeater.

Repeater

An analog network element that retransmits a received signal

without modifying it. Repeaters allow analog signals to travel
beyond the range of the originating transmitter. Compare with
regenerator.

Ringing
generator

A device that provides ringing voltage to FXS-equipped voice

modules.

RJ-11

A modular 4-wire connector typically used with copper cable,

having two twisted pairs, usually unshielded. SONETLYNX uses
RJ-11 connectors on the voice module and the OC-1/OC-3
controller craft interface.

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GLOSSARY

Router

Communications equipment that forwards information on a

connectionless basis. Routers maintain a routing table, which
contains network topology information and an association between
destination addresses and physical ports (and perhaps virtual
circuits).
In complex networks, routers use routing protocols to exchange
network topology information with neighboring routers, so that the
routing table is kept current.

RS-232

A low-speed data protocol used to transfer data across the network.

SONETLYNX offers asynchronous RS-232 only.

RS-422

A low-speed data protocol used to transfer data across the network.

SONETLYNX offers asynchronous RS-422 only.

RS-449

A low-speed data protocol used to transfer data across the network.

SONETLYNX offers synchronous RS-449 only.

S
S4

Intelects Special Services Switching System. A digital switch that

excels in mission-critical applications and multiple user conference
applications. The S4 is popular with air traffic control and air
defense industries.

Section
overhead

A portion of the SONET overhead that is terminated by every

network element. Section overhead controls framing and error
monitoring. Compare with line overhead and path overhead.

Single mode
fiber

Fiber optic cable that contains only one light path through the fiber.

Slave

A label used to designate a modules function in a point-to-point or

multidrop circuit. Modules must be designated as master and slave.
Each circuit can have multiple slaves, but only one master.

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GLOSSARY

SONET

A North American standard for synchronous optical networks having

minimum transmission rates of 51.84 Mb/s. The standard SONET
frame format for 51.84 Mb/s is called STS-1; the equivalent optical
transmission rate is called OC-1.
SONET standardizes not only these transmission bit rates, but also
overhead formats and other details of optical transmission to
accomplish mid-span meet between different vendors equipment.

SONETLYNX

Intelects intelligent information transport platform for public and

private network applications. SONETLYNX offers OC-1 and OC-3
transmission equipment as well as a wide variety of channel cards
(modules) used to connect to customer external equipment.

SONETLYNX
network

A network comprised of SONETLYNX equipment.

Start bit

In an asynchronous data stream, the start bit is used to indicated the

beginning of the payload data within each data character.

Stop bit

In an asynchronous data stream, the stop bit is used to indicated the

end of the payload data within each data character.

STS-1

The standard SONET frame format for 51.84 Mb/s is called STS-1.
The equivalent optical transmission rate is called OC-1.

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GLOSSARY

Switch

Generally, an electronic or mechanical device that makes, breaks, or

changes an electric connection.
In telephony, a device that connects incoming lines or trunks to
outgoing lines or trunks as part of an end-to-end connection.
Examples include: PBXs, LEC central offices and tandem/toll
switches and IEC switches (which are sometimes called central
offices).
In data communications, a device that routes data (such as a cell,
frame or packet) from one line to the next.
In networking, a device (such as a spanning-tree bridge) that detects
and breaks loops in Ethernet networks by disabling ports. The
network manager assigns a unique identifier and priority value to
each such bridge.

Synchronous

A method of transferring data without the use of start bits and stop
bits. This requires the communication devices to derive their
internal clocks from a common source. Note that variations about
the average rate may occur and are referred to as jitter and/or
wander.

Synchronous
payload
envelope (SPE)

The portion of the SONET frame that contains the transmitted data.
The payload envelope can wander within the SONET frame, and is
identified by a pointer.

T
T1

A digital transmission system operating at 1.544 Mb/s typically

used to carry a DS1 signal format. In service since 1962, it operates
over two pairs of copper wire. Each wire pair is assigned a
different binder group and carries a signal in the opposite direction
of transmission..

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GLOSSARY

Time-division
multiplexing
(TDM)

Digital multiplexing by taking one pulse at a time from separate

signals and combining them in a single bit stream.

Transceiver

A combination of transmitter and receiver providing both output

and input interfaces with a device

Transport
overhead

1.728 Mb/s of bandwidth allocated within each SONET STS-1

channel to carry alarm indications, status information, and message
signaling channels for the preventive and reactive maintenance of
SONET transmission links.

Trip relay
alarm

An alarm which is triggered by breaking an electrical circuit.

SONETLYNX supports up to four trip relay alarms wired through
the OC-1/OC-3 controller.

U
Universal voice
module

The SONETLYNX voice module. It supports FXS, FXO and 4-wire

E&M protocols. Each module supports up to 8 distinct channels.

V
V.35

A low-speed data protocol used to transfer data across the network.

SONETLYNX offers synchronous V.35 only.

Virtual
tributaries (VT)

A SONET structure designed for the transport and switch of subSTS-1 payloads. There are currently four sizes of VTs defined:
VT1.5 (1.5 Mbps), VT2 (2 Mbps), VT3 (3 Mbps), and VT6 (6
Mbps).

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GLOSSARY

VT group

Virtual tributary group. A SONET 9 row by 12 column (108 bytes)

structure that carries (byte interleaved)
4 VT1.5s, or
3 VT2s, or
2 VT3s, or
1 VT6.
Seven VT groups (756 bytes) are byte interleaved within the VT
structured SPE.

VT mapping

The process of assigning specific network addresses to each

configurable virtual tributary. SONETLYNX allows all modules to
be mapped from a central location.

W
Wan (wide area
network)

A computer or communications network that covers a geographic

area which is larger than a city or metropolitan area. The
SONETLYNX Ethernet module can be used to connect several
LANs, creating a WAN.

Wavelengthdivision
multiplexing
(WDM)

Multiplexing of signals by transmitting them at different

wavelengths through the fiber.

Working ring

The primary ring in a dual counter-rotating ring topology.

XILINX

The brand name for the FPGA used by SONETLYNX.

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