Xblue X-50 Server With 6 FXO ports and 8 SIP Trunks

Firewall
A set of related programs, located at a network gateway server that protects the resources of a private network from users from other networks. Basically, a firewall, working closely with a router program, examines each network packet to determine whether to forward it toward its destination. A firewall also includes or works with a proxy server that makes network requests on behalf of workstation users. A firewall is often installed in a specially designated computer separate from the rest of the network so that no incoming request can get directly at private network resources.

Router
A networking device whose software and hardware are usually tailored to the tasks of routing and forwarding information. For example, on the Internet, information is directed to various paths by routers.

Telephone Line (Line)
A single line that connects a subscriber (you) with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) a.k.a. "the phone company". Lines may be either analog or digital.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
This is simply the carrying of voice via IP meaning a standard voice stream is broken into packets at the transmit end, sent over a standard data network (such as the Internet) and reassembled into a voice stream at the receiving end. VoIP traffic is trickier than normal data traffic because the timing of packets on the receiving end is critical. For more detail see Basics of the Internet.

Automated Attendant (Auto Attendant)
A system that answers calls and provides the caller with enough information to chose who they need to speak with and then transfers the call to that group or individual. Some companies use this technology to make their business look larger and others use it as a backup to live answering.

Caller ID (CID)
The "called from" name and number that is transmitted and displayed over telephone lines. The caller has the ability to block delivery of this information by dialing 67 before dialing the destination number.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
A protocol for assigning dynamic IP address automatically to devices when they connect to the network. Dynamic addressing simplifies network administration because the software keeps track of IP address rather than requiring an administrator to manage the task. This is particularly helpful for laptops or other "visiting" devices when they want to connect to the Internet. Multiple DHCP Hosts is a common problem to troubleshoot on your LAN. For instance if you have a LAN set up and running a DHCP Host and you add a Wi-Fi router solely for the purpose of wireless access, you've just set up a conflict because these devices by default have DHCP Host enabled.

Firewall
A set of related programs, located at a network gateway server that protects the resources of a private network from users from other networks. Basically, a firewall, working closely with a router program, examines each network packet to determine whether to forward it toward its destination. A firewall also includes or works with a proxy server that makes network requests on behalf of workstation users. A firewall is often installed in a specially designated computer separate from the rest of the network so that no incoming request can get directly at private network resources.

Hold
A business feature where a call is temporarily held by the KSU or Server and the caller typically hears music or an announcement during this time. Hold is used while sending the caller to another extension, while setting up a conference call, or while answering another call or simply when looking up information.

IP (Internet Protocol)
A protocol that specifies the way data is broken into packets and the way those packets are addressed for transmission. Unlike traditional telephone lines which create a straight path from caller to recipient; IP uses the best available path at any given moment to move data packets between point A & point B. The beauty of IP is that the sending end and receiving end communicate success in sending and receiving to insure all data packets are delivered. A really great concept of IP is that of self healing. If a route is broken and the data packets cannot be delivered an alternate route is automatically selected.

Page
This business feature allows an employee, using the handset of their phone, to make an announcement or "page" the rest of the company via the speakers in inactive phones or via overhead speakers or via a combination of both. This is generally a one way conversation only. Page is typically used when you don't know exactly where to find someone.

Park
Similar to hold except the call is held by the Server or KSU and to retrieve the call you need to know the Park Number or have Park buttons on the phone. Typically used in a larger PBX system when a receptionist does not know where to find an individual, in this case the receptionist would Park and then Page the individual.

Server
The central processor in a network. In our case the server supports the telephony functions in a VoIP network. It manages the connections between the phone lines and the telephones, voicemail, etc.

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
Internationally recognized IP telephony signaling protocol used for VoIP. This is the most widely used protocol in the market and is a standard meaning anybody who builds a SIP 2.0 compliant product should work with any other SIP 2.0 compliant device. For instance our Talkswitch is compliant so any off the shelf SIP phone will work as an endpoint for a home phone or a remote worker. The trick with SIP 2.0 is that the combined devices will work to the feature set of the lowest common denominator meaning a SIP 2.0 telephone only support 80% of the SIP feature set then even though the telephone system supports a higher set of features, you will only have the base features of the phone.

SIP Trunk
A new industry sprang up around providing lines via SIP as an alternative to analog or digital lines. These new trunks typically provide cost advantages and some feature advantages over the older counterparts. The best know early seller of SIP trunks for your residence is Vonnage, but now older and more stable companies offer SIP including the traditional telephone and cable companies. Telco Depot offers its own branded SIP Trunks which bring you tremendous savings and give you hardware and SIP Trunks from one vendor.

SMDR (Simple Message Detail Recording)
The delivery of pertinent information regarding calls made and received and dump the detail to a capture device. Information usually includes date, time, station that handled call, number dialed (or Caller ID), line number, length of call and on inbound length of time taken to answer the call. Most phone systems do not include the ability to message this data; instead you can dump this data to a Call Accounting system that has the ability to message and provide reporting detail by company, line, user etc.

Toll Restriction
The ability to allow or deny a user to make a call. This includes local as well as long distance (toll) calls. Simple toll restriction generally blocks any long distance call by denying any 1+ dialing. More sophisticated system look at the complete dialing string to restrict down to an individual phone number if desired. This method generally utilizes a group of tables to allow or deny digits dialed. With the low cost of toll calls today most companies only use general long distance restriction for public areas like a kitchen or reception area.

Transfer
This business feature allows an employee to send a call to another phone without having to announce the call first. This is the typical means for moving a call through a PBX phone system.

Voicemail
The business feature that gives every employee a voice mailbox used to take messages while they are busy or away from their office. They typically also feature an Automated Attendant which answers acts as a receptionist to answer company calls and distribute them to the correct individual or department. Voicemail is an essential piece to a professional office, but must be managed to assure proper phone etiquette is maintained.