Glossary
Glossary-7
3920-A2-GN31-30
November 1996
network
A communications circuit.
network management
address
The customer-assigned diagnostic address of a modem.
NIM
Network Interface Module. The interface provided, up to two per carrier, for the public
switched telephone network (PSTN).
non-linear distortion
VF line distortion which is usually associated with pulse-code modulation (PCM)
compandor noise on the phone line.
NMS
Network Management System. A set of diagnostic and configuration management tools
for a data communication network, consisting of software programs and dedicated
computer hardware.
off-hook
A telephone or modem is being used.
on-hook
A telephone or modem is not being used.
Originate mode
The modem is in a state where it is ready to transmit a call. In a dial network, it is the
modem that makes the call. In a leased-line network, it is one of two sides of the network
that is selected to be the originating modem.
parity
A way of checking data accuracy by counting the number of bits that have a value of
one.
PBX
Telephone switching equipment (Private Branch Exchange) dedicated to one customer. A
PBX connects private telephones to each other and to the public dial network.
permissive interface
A dial modem operating mode characterized by a fixed output power level of –9 dBm.
phase jitter
A rapid or repeated shifting of the relative phase of a signal resulting in unwanted
distortion.
physical address
The diagnostic address of a control modem derived from its location in the carrier: its
carrier and slot number.
point-to-point line
A line or circuit connecting two stations.
poll list
A list containing the network management addresses of downstream modems.
power-up self-test
A test that checks most hardware components when the modem is powered-on.
product code
A three-digit code indicating the modem’s highest VF data rate.
protocol
The rules for timing, format, error control, and flow control during data transmission.
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network. A network shared among many users who can use
telephones to establish connections between two points. Also known as dial network.
Quick Configuration
display
An informative display screen available from the modem’s Top-Level display. It provides
such information as network position (control or tributary), network management
address, DTE mode (Asynchronous or Synchronous), Line mode (Leased Answer,
Leased Originate, or Dial), and the modulation scheme used by the modem.
