multiSwitch – user manual
© TOPEX 2008 164
MGCP
– Abbreviation for
Media Gateway Control Protocol
– also known as H.248 and Megaco, this
represents a standard protocol for handling signaling and session management, required for a
multimedia conference. The protocol defines a communication method between the media gateway,
that converts the data from a format specific to the circuit switching network and the gateway media
controller. MGCP can be used to configure, maintain and terminate calls between several
terminations. Megaco and H.248 refers to a more advanced version of the MGCP protocol.
MPLS
– Abbreviation for
MultiProtocol Label Switching
- this represents a data transport
mechanism that simulates some of the properties of the circuit switching network in a packet switching
network. MPLS operates at a OSI model level which is generally located between the 2nd level
(datalink) and the 3rd level (network) and is often used as level 2.5.
MPLS was designed to offer a data transport service for the clients in circuit switching networks and
for those in packet switching networks. It can be used to transport several traffic types, such as IP,
ATM, SONET packets and Ethernet frames.
NAT
– Abbreviation for
Network Address Translation
– also known as
network masquerading
,
native address translation
or
IP-masquerading
) implies rewriting of the source address and/or
destination while the IP packets pass over a router or firewall. Most systems use NAT to activate
several subsystems in a private network, so that they can access the internet using a single public IP
address. Depending on the specifications, the routers are not required to have this behavior, but many
network administrators consider NAT to be a convenient technique, which makes it widely used.
However, NAT can bring complications in the communication between systems.
NMS
– Abbreviation for
Network Management Systems
– this represents a hardware and software
combination used for network monitoring and administration. The individual elements of the network
(NE) are administered via administration systems.
PIN
– Abbreviation for
Personal Identification Number
- A secret code known only by the user and
the system. The code is used to identify the user in the system. The user must enter this code to gain
access into the system. When the system receives the PIN code, it checks in the database whether
the PIN code exists and whether it matches the user and depending on this, grants or rejects the user
the right to authenticate in the network.
PLMN
– Abbreviation for
Public Land Mobile Network
– this is a network designed and managed by
the ROA (Recognized Operating Agency) for the purpose of providing radio and terrestrial
telecommunication services to the users. The access to PLMN services is made through an interface
that implies radio communications between mobile phones or other wireless equipment and radio
transmitters or basic radio stations. PLMN network are interconnected with themselves and with PSTN
–
Abbreviation for
Public Switched Telephone Network (s)
. This represents the classical
phone network based on copper wire that can deliver voice and data. Analogue telephony (mostly) or
digital telephony are used to provide voice services to users that access this network over an
analogue
network.
RADIUS
– Abbreviation for
Remote Authentication Dial In User Service
– represents an AAA
protocol (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) for applications such as network
authentication or IP mobility. The protocol is designed to function in local and roaming situations.
Moreover, RADIUS is widely used by VoIP providers. It is used to connect a SIP terminal (such as a
broadband phone) to a SIP Registrar using the authentication, and then to the RADIUS server using
RADIUS. Sometimes, RADIUS can be used to collect CDR files (Call Detail Records) that are used
afterwards for example for charging the subscribers.
RSVP
– Abbreviation for
Resource ReSerVation Protocol
– this is a network level protocol designed
to reserve resources in a network. RSVP does not transport application data, as it is rather a control
protocol over internet, similar to ICMP, IGMP or routing protocols.
RSVP can be used either by subsystems, or by routers, to request or deliver specific QoS levels
(Quality of Service) for data streams or data volume. RSVP defines the mode in which applications
choose their reservations and abandon their resources after they are not useful anymore. RSVP itself
is not a routing protocol, but it was created to work with current and future routing protocols.
RTP
– Abbreviation for
Real Time Transport Protocol
– defines a standard format for the packets for
audio and video transmission over internet. It was developed by the Audio-Video Transport Working
Group in IETF and first published in 1996 as RFC 1989, obsoleted by the RFC 3550 standard in 2003.
