navigatorAn individual or organization that's trained and able to help consumers, small businesses, and their employees as they look for health coverage options…
NBHAbbreviation for network busy hour. See busy hour.
NBRVFAbbreviation for narrowband radio voice frequency.
NC (no circuit)A call disposition category for a call attempt that does not find an available outgoing trunk. [T1.209-1998]
NC codeAbbreviation for network channel (NC) code. A code used to identify both switched and nonswitched channel services.
NCI codeAbbreviation for network channel interface code. An encoded representation used to identify 5 interface elements located at a point of termination (POT)…
NCS(1) National Communications System. (2) Net Control Station. (3) Naval Control of Shipping.
NDUB (network-determined user busy)A condition of an interface, as determined by the network, based on the network's capability to terminate another call to that interface.
near absolute immunityA central office or similar facility's ability to maintain continuity of operations without any operationally significant interruption of service from…
near-end crosstalkCrosstalk that is propagated in a disturbed channel in the direction opposite to the direction of propagation of a signal in the disturbing channel.
near-field diffraction patternThe diffraction pattern of an electromagnetic wave, which pattern is observed close to a source or aperture, as distinguished from a far-field diffraction…
near-field regionThe close-in region of an antenna wherein the angular field distribution is dependent upon distance from the antenna. Synonyms near field, near zone. 2.
near-field scanningA technique for measuring the refractive-index profile of an optical fiber by using an extended source to illuminate an endface and measuring the…
near-vertical-incidence skywaveIn radio propagation, a wave that is reflected from the ionosphere at a nearly vertical angle and that is used in short-range communications to reduce the…
necessary bandwidthFor a given class of emission, the width of the frequency band which is just sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the…
need to knowThe legitimate requirement of a person or organization to know, access, or possess sensitive or classified information that is critical to the performance…
negative-acknowledge character (NAK)A transmission control character sent by a station as a negative response to the station with which the connection has been set up.
NEP(1) Nuclear Electric Propulsion. (2) Nuclear Environment Protection.
neper (Np)A unit used to express ratios, such as gain, loss, and relative values. Note 1: The neper is analogous to the decibel, except that the Naperian base 2.
nested command menuA command menu within another command menu. See command menu.
Net"Net" means the value of your assets after subtracting your debts.
net control station (NCS)A radio station that performs net control functions, such as controlling traffic and enforcing operational discipline. [From Weik '89] 2.
net gainThe overall gain of a transmission circuit. Note 1: Net gain is measured by applying a test signal at an appropriate power level (see Note 5) at the input…
net lossThe overall loss of a transmission circuit.
net loss variationThe maximum change in net loss occurring in a specified portion of a communication system during a specified period.
net operationThe operation of an organization of stations capable of direct communication on a common channel or frequency.
net radio interface (NRI)An interface between a single-channel radio station (usually in a radio net) and switched communications systems.
netiquette[Slang] A contraction of network etiquette. The written or unwritten rules of etiquette that govern online interaction between users on the Internet.
NETSAbbreviation for Nationwide Emergency Telecommunications Service. See Government Emergency Telecommunications Service.
NetworkThe facilities, providers and suppliers your health insurer or plan has contracted with to provide health care services.
network access point (NAP)Traditionally the point at which an entity connects to the public Internet; but the term generically applies to any point of entry to a WAN.
network addressThe most important attribute of a socket, like your telephone's telephone number. Typically an IP address. See also "port".
network administrationA group of network management functions that (a) provide support services, (b) ensure that the network is used efficiently, and (c) ensure prescribed…
network architecturespecifications of a network, including its topology, information encoding, transmission protocols, error detection, and correction
network availabilityThe probability a network can perform its required functions. [T1.Rpt24-1993]
network browserA computer program for browsing hyperlinked documents (especially on the Web). Note 1: A network browser formats and displays information so obtained in a…
network clusterThe field in the U.S. signaling point code structure that identifies groups of signaling points and individual STPs (signaling transfer points) of a…
network computerSynonym thin client. 2. Any computer connected to a network.
network connectivityThe topological description of a network that specifies, in terms of circuit termination locations and quantities, the interconnection of the transmission…
network control program (NCP)In a switch or network node, software designed to store and forward frames between nodes.
network dataData that are specific to the functionality of the network. [T1.667-1999]
network element (NE)In integrated services digital networks, a piece of telecommunications equipment that provides support or services to the user.
network element function blockA functional block that communicates with a telecommunications management network (TMN) for the purpose of being monitored, or controlled, or both. [T1.
network element location (NE location)A building (such as a central office) or nonbuilding location housing NEs. Communication within an NE location may be accomplished with minimal attention…
network engineering1. In telephony, the discipline concerned with (a) determining internetworking service requirements for switched networks, and (b) developing and…
network facilityThe connection between the radio port controller and the PCS (personal communications services) switching center. [T1.Rpt34-1994]
network failureA complete or partial failure of a component or components of a network because of malfunction or natural or human-caused disasters.
network failure tripleA combination of the network's unservability (U), duration (D), and extent (E) parameters that exceeds a threshold. [After T1.Rpt24-1993]
Network File System (NFS)The Network File System (NFS) protocol allows a given computer to access a disk on another computer over a network in a transparent fashion.
network identificationThe field in the U.S. signaling point code structure that identifies signaling networks. [T1.110-1987]
Network Impacting EventA failure (hardware, software, human, or process) of a telecommunications network component that prevents call completion.
network indicator (NI)Information within the service information octet of the message signal unit that permits discrimination between national and international messages. [T1.
network interfaceThe point of interconnection between a user terminal and a private or public network. 2.
network interface card (NIC)A printed circuit board that connects a computer or other node to a network. Also known as a "network adapter."
network interface device (NID)A device that performs interface functions, such as code conversion, protocol conversion, and buffering, required for communications to and from a network.
network interworkingCooperation among networks in the processing, management, and creation of services that span multiple networks. [After T1.667-1999]
Network LayerSee Open Systems Interconnection--Reference Model.
network layer relayA function within the network layer by means of which one correspondent network entity forwards data to another correspondent network entity. [T1.204-1992]
network lossLoss added to the network to control echo. [T1.508-1998]
network managementThe execution of the set of functions required for controlling, planning, allocating, deploying, coordinating, and monitoring the resources of a…
network managerIn network management, the entity that initiates requests for management information from managed systems or receives spontaneous management-related…
Network ModificationA Network Modification is any type of planned equipment, software, trunk or facility activity which has the potential to significantly affect…
network node (NN)A grouping of one or more network elements (at one or more sites) which provides network related functions, and is administered as a single entity.
network numberAn identification number, within a computer network or set of interconnected networks, that uniquely identifies a computer.
network operating system (NOS)Software that (a) controls a network and its message (e.g., packet) traffic, and queues, (b) controls access by multiple users to network resources such…
network operations center (NOC)A centralized organization responsible for the operation and maintenance of its network. [2382-pt.35]
network operatorThe operator responsible for the development, provision and maintenance of real-time networking services and for operating the corresponding networks.
network outpulsing stateA call state in which the network transmits the caller's emergency service ID (CESID) to the public service answering point (PSAP) customer installation…
network performanceThe qualitative level at which a network fulfills its function. [After T1.Rpt24-1993]
network provided number (NPN)An ISDN number, supplied by the calling user's or the redirecting user's network, which is associated with the calling user or the redirecting user.
network providerThe organization that maintains and operates the network components required for intelligent network (IN) functionality.