Popular SIP Glossary
ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter)
An ATA is used to connect an analog phone or similar device to a digital telephone system. It helps convert voice signals into IP packets for use in VoIP.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred over a communication line in a certain time limit across a specific path. VoIP services will state a maximum bandwidth for the transfer of data.
CDR
CDR (Call Record Detail) is about a specific information of the call that includes duration, origination, destination, and billable information, as well as other pertinent information.
Call Routing
Call routing is a kind of call management feature for VoIP phone systems where each incoming call is placed in a queue and routed to a specific available person or group of people based on pre-established criteria and rules.
CLI
CLI stands for Calling Line Identification; it allows the person receiving the call to see the caller’s number.
CNAM
CNAM (Caller ID Name) is the name associated with the telephone number of the calling party in an inbound call.
Codec
A codec is used for the compression/decompression or encoding/decoding process of data. It is employed to convert a voice signal delivered through analog into a digital version.
DID (Direct Inward Dialing)
Telephone numbers are assigned via one or more SIP trunk lines to establish a connection with a customer's PBX system. All incoming calls will be directed to these designated telephone numbers through the trunk.
ENUM (Telephone Number Mapping)
ENUM is also known as "Telephone Number Mapping" or "E.164 Number Mapping." ENUM is a standard that enables the mapping of telephone numbers to various communication services and resources using DNS. The ENUM enables the interoperability between different network domains, such as PSTN, SIP, and email, by allowing users to reach each other using a single identifier.
Failover
Network Failover: is the physical process or mechanism that enables redundancy, by automatically switching network traffic from a primary link or component to a secondary link or backup when the primary one fails. Failover is crucial for maintaining high availability and reliability of telecommunication services.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A business that provides subscription based access to the internet.
ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider)
An Internet telephony service provider is a company providing telecommunications services using VoIP. Whenever a business purchases a type of VoIP service, they’ll be dealing with an ITSP.
Jitter
is a term used to indicate a little fluctuation in the transmission signal. It should not exceed 30ms.
Latency
Latency refers to the time it takes from when a data request is initiated to when the actual data transfer begins. For a good user experience, latency should be below 100ms, with under 50ms being the preferred threshold.
Media Gateway
A media gateway serves as a translation device, transforming media streams between different telecommunications networks.
Packet Loss
Packet loss is the term used to describe the loss of data packets during transmission across a network. This can occur due to elevated network latency or because switches or routers become overwhelmed, leading to difficulties in processing or routing incoming data.
PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, which is a private telephone network utilized within a business organization. A PBX system manages internal communication, facilitating both incoming and outgoing calls within the company.
Proxy Server
A proxy server is a system that provides a gateway between users and the internet. IT helps prevent cyber attackers from entering a private network.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of service (QoS) refers to the implementation of mechanisms or technologies on a network to manage traffic and guarantee the optimal performance of essential applications when network capacity is constrained.
Session Description Protocol (SDP)
The Session Description Protocol (SDP) is a format used to describe multimedia communication sessions, serving the purpose of providing information for announcements and invitations.
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
Session initiated protocol sets up the session between the individuals over the Internet. SIP finds utility in Internet telephony, private IP telephone systems, and mobile phone calls over LTE networks.
SIP BYE
SIP BYE is the method used to terminate a current session. This is a SIP request that can be sent by either the caller or the receiver to end a session.
SIP Header
A SIP header is an integral part of a SIP message designed to convey information related to the SIP message.
SIP INVITE
It’s a SIP request message that initiates a SIP call. The process of a SIP call involves sending an INVITE request, getting a ringing response, followed by a “OK'' response when the receiver answers.
SIP Registration
SIP registration is a process that gives authority to your SIP trunk service provider to identify and authenticate your phone system based on a username and password.
SIP Response Codes
SIP response codes are three-digit numerical messages that contain information sent by the UAS (User Agent Server) to the UAC (User Agent Client). Mainly it’s providing information about the call status.
SIP Security
SIP Security is the process which will protect you from SIP Fraud, threats, CLI Spoofing, and attacks before they cause any damage to the network.
SIP Trunk
A SIP trunk is the modern, digital version of a conventional telephone line. It facilitates the connection of multiple SIP lines, each of which offers individual phone numbers and lines that can be distributed throughout an organization.
T.38 (Fax over IP)
T.38 is a set of the protocol that describes how to send a fax over a computer data network. It is needed because fax data cannot be sent over a computer data network in the same way as voice communications.
Trunk Group
A trunk group is a collection of trunks designed for a specific specialized function. These groups contain configuration settings that determine the routing of calls to the appropriate trunk. Each trunk group comprises one or more individual trunks.
UC (Unified Communication)
Unified Communications is the type of system that brings together a wide range of business communication tools such as VoIP, instant messaging, video conferencing, and more into one single application.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
VoIP is communication service which includes voice, fax, voice messaging and SMS happen over the public internet, rather than the traditional phone system.
SIP Line
SIP Line is a channel or session connected to SIP Trunk. SIP Lines act as a bridge which used for exchanging communication data between two points.
