Multitech CommPlete MT5634HD8, User Manual, Page: 83 / 99

Glossary
CommPlete Communications Server 77
E
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal
Interchange Code - pronounced “eb suh
dick”)
: An IBM character code used in its
mainframe and midrange computers. It is an 8-
bit code (256 combinations) that stores one
alphanumeric character or two decimal digits
within a byte. EBCDIC and ASCII codes are
the most common codes used to represent data.
Echo : The reflection or duplication of a signal
back toward its source. Echoing is useful when a
terminal is transmitting data, in that the data
can be echoed to the screen so the user can
monitor what is being sent. Echoing is
undesirable when it refers to the signal which
results on a telephone line from impedance
mismatches.
Echo cancellation : a high speed modem
technique that isolates and filters out
unwanted signals caused by echoes from the
main transmitted signal. This allows full-
duplex modems to send and receive on the same
frequency carrier.
EIA (Electronics Industries Association) ; A
membership organization founded in 1924 that
includes manufactures of electronic parts and
systems. With over 1200 members, it sponsors
shows and seminars, and gives awards for
outstanding contributions in electronics. It sets
electronic interface standards, such as RS-23.
EISA (Enhanced Industry Standard
Architecture - pronounced “eesa”)
: The
purpose of the EISA bus was to provide a 32-bit
bus for faster throughputs while maintaining
backward compatibility with the classic ISA
bus architecture.
Emulation : The process of one type of device
imitating another via a hardware or software
package. Terminal emulation, for example,
allows a PC to access a mainframe computer by
generating and accepting data like a “dumb”
terminal.
Environment : A computer configuration that
includes the CPU model and system software
(operating system, data communications and
database systems). It may also include the
programming language used. It sets the
standards for the applications that run in it.
EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory - pronounced “eeprom”)
: A
reusable PROM chip that holds its contents
until erased under ultraviolet light.
Error correction : The process of detecting
distorted data bits and requesting a
retransmission or interpretation to correct the
error. Errors are introduced by bad line
conditions or external interface.
F
Fax (facsimile) : Refers to the bit-mapped
rendition of a graphics-oriented document (fax)
or to the electronic transmission of the image
over telephone lines (faxing). Fax transmission
differs from data transmission in that the
former is a bit-mapped approximation of a
graphical document and, therefore, cannot be
accurately interpreted according to any
character code.
Fax card : An expansion card that, with the
appropriate software, allows a PC to operate
as a fax transmitter/receiver. PC fax cards may
be able to send and receive faxes from a file on
the PC> If an external scanner is available, the
PC can also transmit the scanned image via the
fax card.
Fax/Data-Modem : A multifunctional device
capable of transmitting either data or faxes. It
is available as an external unit or expansion
board. It includes a fax switch that routes the
call to the fax or the data modem.
Fax server : A network resource that allows
workstation PCs to transmit faxes as though
the PC had an internal fax card or a fax modem
attached.
Firmware : A category of memory chips that
hold their content without electrical power.
They include ROM, PROM, EPROM, and
EEPROM technologies. Firmware becomes
“hard software” when holding program code.
Flash Memory : A memory chip that holds its
content without power, but must be erased in
bulk. The term comes from its ability to be
erased “in a flash”. Flash memory is derived
form EEPROM, but are less expensive and
provide higher bit densities.