Jargon & acronyms explained
Understand the meaning behind every word
Term
Definition
Adapter
Short for Network Adaptor, a device that enables your PC to connect to a network.
Backbone
Structural network links connecting major system components or smaller networks.
Bandwidth
The amount of data transmitted in a unit of time. Data network bandwidth is usually expressed as bits per second (bps), or bytes per second. (There are eight bits in one byte.)
Bridge
A device that connects two different types of local network, such as a wireless network and a wired Ethernet network.
Business continuity management
A proactive process which identifies the key functions of an organisation and the likely threats to those functions. From this information, plans and procedures are developed to ensure that key functions can continue whatever the circumstances.
Business continuity planning
Advance planning and preparations to identify the impact of potential losses, formulate and implement viable recovery strategies and develop recovery plans that ensure continuity of services in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Business continuity programme
An ongoing funded process backed by senior management which ensures that the necessary measures are in place to identify the impact of potential losses, maintain viable recovery strategies and plans and ensure continuity of services.
Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
Measures the effect of resource loss and the escalating losses over time.
Class of Service (CoS)
Class of Service (CoS) is the ability of a Wide Area Network (WAN) to prioritise voice, enabling it to pass Quality of Service (QoS) information from one end of the network to the other.
Contingency plan
A plan of action to be followed in the event of a disaster or emergency that threatens to disrupt the continuity of normal activities. It aims to restore operational capabilities as quickly as possible.
Crisis
An abnormal situation or perception that threatens the organisation's operations, staff, customers or reputation.
Crisis plan
A plan of action designed to support the crisis management team when dealing with an emergency situation that might threaten the organisation's operations, staff, customers or reputation.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
A global term for the processes, software and communications through which an organisation manages relationships with its customers. Good CRM is a cost-effective way to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. It helps to generate follow-on business.
DECT
Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications, a technology used to link cordless mobile handsets to a wired telephone system.
Domain
A specific name for a network of computers.
Ethernet
An IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a transmission medium linking two or more devices. An 'Ethernet' describes the physical network that carries data traffic.
Firewall
A security system that prevents unauthorised access to or from a private network. Firewalls, originally introduced to prevent Internet users hacking in to corporate intranets, are now widely used to protect data on individual computers linked to the Internet. All data passing through a firewall is inspected, then blocked or allowed to pass according to predetermined security criteria.
Financial impact
A non-recoverable loss resulting from an interruption or disaster, which affects the organisation's financial position.
Gateway
A VoIP gateway bridges calls between the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and an IP network. Gateways support both analogue and digital interfaces. An analogue interface connects to the PSTN with the same interface as an ordinary phone.
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
The 'C' now added to the traditional 'IT' reflects the worldwide convergence of computing and telecommunications. ICT has made possible instant exchange of information, regardless of distance. It has revolutionised the way organisations conduct their business and the way people lead their lives.
Internet Protocol (IP)
Internet Protocol is a set of communication tools that enable computers to communicate with one another over the Internet.
IP Telephony
Using Internet Protocol as a method of carrying voice calls. With IP, voice communications (in the form of IP packets) are routed directly from the origin to destination devices. These might be IP telephones or gateways. IP routing does not require central switching units.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A Local Area Network is a network of computers and other devices (including routers and printers) within a single site. Many LANs use Ethernet cabling, but this can be replaced or extended using wireless technologies.
Local Area Network (LAN) Hub
A common connection point for IP devices on a network. A hub may serve as simple conduit for data, or may include additional functions such as monitoring and forwarding.
Local Area Network (LAN) Switch
A common connection point for IP devices. A LAN switch provides the same functionality as a LAN hub, but connections do not contend for the available bandwidth. This makes possible higher data throughput and significantly increased performance.
Network
A cable or wireless link used to connect computers or devices in order to transmit data between them and access shared resources.
Operational impact
An impact on the organisation's functions that is not quantifiable in financial terms. Operational impacts can be severe. They may determine whether an enterprise survives.
Outage
The interruption of automated processing systems, support services or essential business operations. Outages may prevent an enterprise functioning properly for some time.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
A Private Branch Exchange is a private telephone system for organisations. Telephone users can make internal calls and share a number of outside lines.
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
Public Switched Telephone Network is the international term for a public telephone service, which carries analogue voice signals between connections.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (QoS) is the ability of a Wide Area Network (WAN) or Local Area Network (LAN) to prioritise bandwidth, using Class of Service (CoS) settings to determine priorities.
Router
A connecting point between networks which handles data-packet forwarding. It communicates with other routers to determine the best route for the data to take.
Resilience
The ability of a system or process to absorb the impact of component failure and continue performing at an acceptable level.
Response
The reaction to an incident or emergency in order to assess the required level of containment and control activity.
Restoration
The process of planning for and implementing measures that allow the organisation to return to its normal level of operation.
Resumption
The process of planning for and/or implementing the recovery of critical business operations after an interruption or disaster.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
The standard Internet protocol for transferring electronic mail from one computer to another.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
An agreement between a service provider and service user as to the nature, quality, availability and scope of the service to be provided.
Switch
A data-exchange device at the centre of a network that allows peripheral devices to share data.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Total Cost of Ownership is a financial concept that seeks to include estimates of every cost involved in buying and operating a technology or business solution. TCO, rather than purchase cost, should be used when calculating ROI (Return on Investment). Costs included in TCO include such things as training, integration with other systems, maintenance, support, predictable upgrades and replacement.
Unified Messaging (UM)
Unified Messaging is a software, which can access voice, fax, diaries and email from any web-based telephone, PC or browser.
Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Voice-over Internet Protocol is a generic term for the technologies and applications, hardware and software, needed to integrate voice and other real-time media on IP data networks.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A voice and/or data network with protected access that offers the features and characteristics of a private network, even though the communications pass over the public network.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide Area Network is a network that connects two or more Local Area Networks (LANs) that are geographically separated.
