Module 2 Key Terms

A type of punchdown block designed to terminate Cat 5 or better twisted-pair wires and typically used to handle data connections rather than telephone connections. The numeral 110 refers to the model number of the earliest blocks.

A type of punchdown block designed to terminate telephone connections. The numeral 66 refers to the model number of the earliest blocks.

A private, non-profit entity consisting of a membership of standards writers and users. ANSI oversees standards development and provides accreditation for approved standards for a period of five years, at which time the standards must be revised, rescinded, or reaffirmed.

A change-management concept that defines the desired stable state that must be achieved and maintained before future changes can be attempted.

A compact type of punchdown block typically used to handle data connections rather than telephone connections.

A type of interference caused by signals traveling on nearby wire pairs infringing on another pair’s signal.

The point of division between a telecommunications service carrier’s network and a building’s internal network.

The location where an incoming network service (whether phone, Internet, or long-distance service) enters a building and connects with the building’s backbone cabling.

A type of interference that can be caused by motors, power lines, televisions, copiers, fluorescent lights, or other sources of electrical activity.

A form of cable that contains one or several glass or plastic fibers in its core. Data is transmitted via a pulsing light sent from a laser or LED (light-emitting diode) through the central fiber or fibers.

A junction point between the MDF and concentrations of fewer connections—for example, those that terminate in a data closet.

A network that acquires real-time data from a physical system and manages the physical system or presents the data to humans, who monitor and manage the system. Also called SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition).

The process of monitoring and maintaining all the assets that make up a network.

A proprietary type of punchdown block developed and patented in Europe. Like the more common 110 block, it’s typically used to handle data connections rather than telephone connections.

A device that connects the equipment in a rack to a single console to provide a central control portal for all devices on the rack.

The portion of a software license that limits what a product can be used for.

Also known as the main cross connect, the centralized point of interconnection between an organization’s LAN or WAN and a service provider’s network.

A contract that grants a license from a creator, developer, or producer, such as a software producer, to a third party for the purposes of marketing, sublicensing, or distributing the product to consumers as a stand-alone product or as part of another product.

A document presenting the intentions of two or more parties to enter into a binding agreement, or contract. The MOU is usually not a legally binding document (although there are exceptions), does not grant extensive rights to either party, provides no legal recourse, and is not intended to provide a thorough coverage of the agreement to come.

A contract that defines terms of future contracts.

A graphical representation of a network’s devices and connections.

A scanning tool designed to assess large networks quickly and provide comprehensive, customized information about a network and its hosts.

A correction, improvement, or enhancement to part of a software application, often distributed at no charge by software vendors to fix a bug in their code or to add slightly more functionality.

A wall- or rack-mounted panel where cables converge in one location. Also called a patch panel.

The process of monitoring the release of new patches, testing them for use on networked devices, and installing them.

A wall- or rack-mounted panel where cables converge in one location. Also called a patch bay.

The area above the ceiling tile or below the subfloor in a building.

A pointed tool used to insert twisted-pair wire into receptors in a punchdown block to complete a circuit.

A drawing that shows the devices stacked in a rack system and is typically drawn to scale.

A document requesting that vendors submit a proposal for a product or service that a company wants to purchase.

The process of reverting to a previous version of a software application after attempting to patch or upgrade it.

A network that acquires real-time data from a physical system and manages the physical system or presents the data to humans, who monitor and manage the system. Also called industrial control system.

A signaling protocol that is used to make an initial connection between hosts but that does not participate in data transfer during the session. SIP is a common application layer protocol used by voice gateways to initiate and maintain connections.

A legally binding contract or part of a contract that defines, in plain language and in measurable terms, the aspects of a service provided to a customer. Specific details might include contract duration, guaranteed uptime, problem management, performance benchmarks, and termination options.

The steps defined for a specific process within an organization to maintain consistency and avoid errors.

A document that details the work that must be completed for a particular project, including specifics such as tasks, deliverables, standards, payment schedule, and work timeline. An SOW is legally binding, meaning it can be enforced by a court of law. Many times, an SOW is used to define the terms of each new project as an addendum to an existing MSA.

A type of copperbased cable containing twisted-pair wires with metallic shielding such as foil around each wire pair and/or shielding surrounding all four wire pairs.

A method for uniform, enterprise-wide, multivendor cabling systems specified by the ANSI/TIA-568 family of standards. Structured cabling is based on a hierarchical design using a high-speed backbone.

The process of designing, implementing, and maintaining an entire network.

A subgroup of the former EIA that focuses on standards for information technology, wireless, satellite, fiber optics, and telephone equipment. EIA was dissolved in 2011, and its responsibilities were transferred to ECA (Electronic Components, Assemblies, Equipment & Supplies Association).

A significant change to an application’s existing code, typically designed to improve functionality or add new features while also correcting bugs and vulnerabilities.

A type of copperbased cable that consists of one or more insulated twisted-pair wires encased in a plastic sheath, which does not contain additional shielding for the twisted pairs.

A device that converts signals from a campus’s analog phone equipment into IP data that can travel over the Internet, or that converts VoIP data from an internal IP network to travel over a phone company’s analog telephone lines.

The provision of telephone service over a packet-switched network running the TCP/IP protocol suite.

An end user device or application that gives the user access to VoIP services on a network.

A website that can be edited by users.

A graphical representation of a network’s wired infrastructure.