Glossary
Glossary
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A system that allows the selective restriction of access to another place or resource
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A software system that stores, organizes and provides access to information in a directory. Active Directory is a directory service implemented by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Computers can interrogate an Active Directory using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
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An audible or visual notification that a significant event requiring action has taken place. For example, a fire alarm signifies that people should leave a building in accordance with their fire procedures.
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The status of an alarm when its sensor (or detection mechanism) is deactivated, such that the alarm will not sound.
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An audible or visual notification that a significant event requiring action has taken place. For example, a fire alarm signifies that people should leave a building in accordance with their fire procedures.
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The status of an alarm when its sensor (or detection mechanism) is deactivated, such that the alarm will not sound.
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A permanently-manned centre that receives alarms from multiple sites. It filters faulty or erroneous alarms before taking appropriate action (such as calling the emergency services).
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An alarm which, when triggered, will effectively be ignored by the receiving system. Shunted alarms are typically configured when a system is under repair, or when the alarm sensor is faulty and generating false alarms.
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An Application Programming Interface (API) specifies how software components should interact with each other to share information, perform a task or provide a service.
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A device that adds Arabic symbols to a monitor output that displays information such as date, time and camera and monitor numbering.
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A data structure consisting of a group of elements that are accessed by indexing.
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A mass surveillance method that uses video analytics to read vehicle registration (license) plates.
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During a network failure, IP cameras and encoders can continue to record using local storage devices. Backfilling is the process used by the PSN to retrieve this stored video.
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How fast data flows on a given transmission path, measured in BPS.
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A measurement of the speed of data transmission between devices.
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A connector used to join segments of coaxial cable.
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Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is a standardized exterior gateway protocol designed to exchange routing and reachability information between autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet. See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Gateway_Protocol.
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A type of data verification used to ensure data transmission has been successful.
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This software controls and monitors the raw video inputs that are being received by a PSN from an encoder. It then streams the video to Synergy clients who wish to view live streams from the PSN.
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In Internet networks, this refers to transmitting information that will be received by every device on the network. The receiving device will decide whether to accept and process the information. In practice, broadcast messages are limited to broadcast domains. Broadcasting is rarely used in modern surveillance networks.
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In Internet networks, this refers to transmitting information that will be received by every device on the network. The receiving device will decide whether to accept and process the information. In practice, broadcast messages are limited to broadcast domains. Broadcasting is rarely used in modern surveillance networks.
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A block of high speed memory to which data is copied when it is retrieved from the RAM.
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The process of configuring a device for accuracy and reliability.
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Enables a master keyboard to send telemetry over short RS232 links.
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The automated movement of a PTZ camera through specific preset positions.
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Category 5/5e/6 standard Ethernet cable.
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Closed-Circuit Television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors
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Synonym for a PSN or DVR.
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An insulated cable used for network or video communications.
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A portmanteau (combination of words) of coder-decoder. These are often used to compress or decompress video data and are required to playback video that has been compressed.
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This stores tabular data in plain text form, and consists of a number of records, with each record containing a number of fields of information.
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The ability to transfer information on a link between two points on a computer network.
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A command line interface that a user would utilise to interact with a software program or operating system.
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The UK's national infrastructure is defined by the Government as: “those facilities, systems, sites and networks necessary for the functioning of the country and the delivery of the essential services upon which daily life in the UK depends. Infrastructure is categorised according to its value or “criticality” and the impact of its loss.
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Typically an RJ45 ethernet cable that allows full Duplex communications between two computers without a hub.
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The process of connecting all PTZ cameras in series from one port on a device and terminating at the last PTZ in the chain.
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A portmanteau (combination of words) of "Data plus Surveillance". The systematic monitoring of data and transactions.
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A telephone connection in a system that is used to remotely access a network via a modem.
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A software system that stores, organizes and provides access to information in a directory. Active Directory is a directory service implemented by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Computers can interrogate an Active Directory using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
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This is a health and safety requirement which puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the responsible person) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses).
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A group of monitor screens configured to behave like a single large monitor. These allow you to display multiple cameras, one in each section of the wall. They output digital video to one or more large display devices. The output can contain video from a number of different cameras divided up on the display.
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A camera encased in a Perspex dome. Can be either PTZ or static, but will often be assumed as PTZ, especially in documentation.
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Where a communication can take place in both directions at the same time.
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A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is a software program that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other mass storage device. See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Video_Recorder
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A small single input/output encoder, designed for use with only one PTZ analog camera.
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A device that takes eight surveillance camera inputs and encodes the data it receives from them into a digital signal. This enables PSN/DVRs to store the video for future playback. The device also has eight corresponding outputs that can loop back into a matrix unit.
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One of a few circuit boards that are found inside an encoder. There is an encoder module assigned to each input stream.
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A rack mount device which houses a monitor, mouse and keyboard. Often used in conjunction with a KVM switch to control several different machines.
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An advanced distance-vector routing protocol that is used on a computer network to help automate routing decisions and configuration.
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The Synectics ePSN combines both storage and encoder functionality into a single unit.
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Ethernet is the international standard networking technology for wired implementations over local area networks.
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An audible or visual notification that something has happened or changed in your operating environment.
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This is a machine which is used to store Synergy footage that needs to be saved beyond the defined retention period.
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Synectics analog keyboard used to control cameras, monitor outputs and configure the analog system. The number of the keyboard indicates how many cameras it can control.
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A widely-used system for defining data formats. XML provides a very rich but simple system to define complex documents and data structures
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A language for transforming XML documents into other XML documents or formats.
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A protection scheme where a protection device is available for one or more live devices. In the event of a device failure, the operation of the live device is switched to the protection device.
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A form of cable made of glass that uses light to communicate rather than a voltage.
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This is a Synergy service found on evidence lockers. Its purpose is to import video saved on a PSN to the evidence locker it is located on.
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A list of instructions and data programmed into the circuits responsible for controlling the operation of devices.
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The maximum clarity or distinctness of an image rendered by an optical system.
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The rate (frequency) at which a camera produces consecutive images called frames. Framerate is most often expressed in frames per second (FPS).
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A network point that acts as an entrance to another network.
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This is designed to capture, store, manipulate and graphically represent all types of geographic information.
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Gigabits per second is a measure of bandwidth within a digital communications system. A Gigabit is one thousand million bits.
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This is the visual representation of a software application, based upon icons and visual relationships as viewed by the user.
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This provides the centralized management and configuration of computers and remote users in an Active Directory environment, effectively controlling what users can and cannot do.
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A video compression codec, also known as MPEG-4, which allows high definition resolutions.
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Where a communication can take place in both directions but not at the same time.
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This is a device which stores a specified amount of computer data.
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A process whereby a video stream will be switched to another set of encoders and a PSN for recording if a problem should be detected with the original recording setup for that particular stream.
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An instance of something happening; an event or occurrence (possibly criminal in nature).
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This is a communications protocol used by hosts and adjacent routers on IP networks to establish multicast group memberships. This is an integral part of IP multicast. It can be used for one-to-many networking applications such as streaming video, and allows more efficient use of resources when supporting these types of applications.
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This is a quartet of numbers used to identify other machines on the network.
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Internet Protocol v4 is the fourth version in the development of the Internet Protocol (IP), it routes most traffic on the Internet using a 32-bit address.
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Internet Protocol v6 is the sixth version in the development of the Internet Protocol (IP), it routes most traffic on the Internet using a 128-bit address.
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The computer programming language on which the Synergy software was developed.
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A switch will allow one keyboard, monitor and mouse to be used on several machines.
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This is a measure of bandwidth within a digital communications system. A kilobit is one thousand bits.
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Light Emitting Diode is a small component that uses a very low amount of power to emit light.
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An application protocol for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an Internet Protocol network.
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An Open Standard magnetic tape data storage technology.
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Provides control of cameras on a remote site.
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A local data communications network used by computers or other networked devices.
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This stores and executes a series of commands or instructions, upon user selection.
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A device that holds all its own configuration and does not rely on any other device to operate.
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An interface which enables the master keyboard to switch and control cameras that exist on remote matrices.
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The matrix unit or matrix is a device that can have a specific number of camera inputs and monitor outputs. When cameras are connected to the matrix inputs and monitors are connected to the matrix outputs, the device can switch any of these inputs to a specific monitor output, ultimately displaying the video from the camera on a selected monitor.
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This is a measure of bandwidth in a digital communications system. A megabit is one million bits.
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A commonly-used 128-bit encryption hashing algorithm.
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A four-channel motor control system for cameras. The device controls the pan, tilt, zoom and focus on a camera.
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Used to convert the digital information in your computer to analogue signals for your phone line and to convert analogue phone signals to digital information for your computer.
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This is a description of the Synectics digital recording system. We use several different modules of hardware to create the appropriate digital recording system for each individual customer.
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This is when a Synectics encoder module is stopped and started again.
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A computer monitor is an electronic device that shows pictures. Monitors often look similar to televisions. The main difference between a monitor and a television is that a monitor does not have a television tuner to change channels.
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The alternation of cameras displayed on a monitor at timed intervals.
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A sequential display of cameras on a specific monitor.
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A device that performs serial to IP conversion on a Synectics network.
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A video compression codec used in the recording and playback of video.
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In Internet networks, multicast transmission is the sending of information from a single source (such as an IP camera) to multiple destinations simultaneously. Multicasting typically requires the router to copy the source transmission to mutliple destinations. The main advantage of multicasting over unicast tranmission is that the bandwidth and workload are handled by the network; not the information source. Multicasting is also more network-efficient than broadcasting, which is where every network device receives the transmitted information.
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My definition
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A television video standard established by the USA and adopted by numerous other countries.
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A computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.
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A protocol that provides a reliable way of synchronizing the system time of servers, clients and switches.
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A software program that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other mass storage device. It is distinct from a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in that its input is from a network rather than a direct connection to the video capture device.
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A device used when more RS232 ports are required for PTZ telemetry because daisy chaining is unsuitable for the network or is fully utilised on the PTZ/Dome Interface unit.
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Another name for a server, client or networked machine.
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An image superimposed on the screen picture.
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This defines interoperability specifications for IP-enabled security devices.
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This defines interoperability standards in industrial automation and the enterprise systems that support industry.
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This is a routing protocol for Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
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This software is used by Synectics engineers to monitor the raw input of streams being transmitted by an encoder to a PSN.
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The movement a PTZ camera performs; turning left or right in a horizontal line.
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Pan (horizontal rotation), Tilt (vertical rotation) and Zoom (variable focal length/angle of view).
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This is an error-checking procedure used to determine if transferred dated is the same as the original source.
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This refers to the patch panel, which is a flat panel with many ports of a certain type that are used to organise the connection of camera inputs or network cables to a relevant device.
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These force an operator to manually view a sequence of cameras.
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Digital to analog protocol conversional module, which allows limited control of the Synectics analog network via a personal computer.
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This is someone involved in an investigation who has not been arrested or formally accused of a crime.
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A television video standard used by most European countries.
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This defines interoperability standards for security equipment.
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An abbreviation of picture elements, which are the building blocks of a graphical image or screen resolution.
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The service used by Synectics for the playback of live and recorded video in Synergy client software.
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The physical location of a financial transaction, such as a cash register.
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(1) A software port is a location through which information is sent in a virtual sense. (2) A network port is a location on a device which a data communications cable is plugged into.
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Requirements that must be fulfilled before the commencement of the installation/ commissioning of a project.
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If selected, this is a specific angle at which a PTZ camera will be positioned.
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This is where footage received from encoders is stored for a specified time period.
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Where a part of the visible range is not legally allowed to be viewed or recorded by the camera.
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An agreement or standard used to define a method of exchanging information over a computer network.
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This is a family of multicast routing protocols for Internet Protocol (IP) networks that provide one-to-many and many-to-many distribution of data over a LAN, WAN or the Internet. It is termed protocol-independent because PIM does not include its own topology discovery mechanism, but instead uses routing information supplied by other routing protocols.
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A camera that can be controlled to alter its line of sight and zoom.
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This is the overall performance of a computer network, particularly the performance seen by the users of the network.
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This is a unit of measure used to describe the height of equipment intended for mounting in a computer equipment rack.
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The most common form of computer memory. It can be used by programs to store temporary information for performing required tasks quicker than if they were using the hard drive.
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Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is an Internet packet format for streaming audio and video over the Internet.
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This is a network control protocol designed for use in entertainment and communications systems to control streaming media servers.
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This is the software that controls and monitors the state of recording on all streams being received by a PSN.
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In normal unicast networks the IP camera (for example) would be responsible for sending its information to every client device that requested it. A camera streaming a 2Mbs single video stream would require 8Mbs bandwidth to stream its signal to four clients. With RMS RTP the streaming is provided by the Recording Management System(RMS) using RTP, thereby reducing the workload and bandwidth needed by each camera.
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A secondary system of backup equipment that performs similarly, if not the same, as a primary system, thereby preventing network downtime and system outages.
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This is a storage technology that utilises a number of physical disk drives to improve data redundancy (in the event of a disk failure) and performance.
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This is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, regulating the powers of public bodies to carry out surveillance and investigation.
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This machine is used to connect to a site from anywhere in the world using the Iinternet to access and maintain its systems.
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A Windows operating system feature that enables a user to take control of another Windows computer over a network.
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This is how Java communicates over a network.
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A protection scheme where information is copied to a protection device from a worker device. In the event of a device failure, the information is immediately available from the protection device.
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This is a health and safety requirement which puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the responsible person) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses).
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The number of pixels displayed horizontally and vertically on the screen.
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This is the time specified that footage is kept on PSNs before being erased. For example, 7 days.
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This is an evidence locker and a dedicated review client combined into one. Its purpose is typically to allow users with appropriate permissions to transfer video from the primary evidence locker to the review locker, to enable users with low permissions to view particular footage.
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An industry-standard communications port used specifically for digital network transmissions.
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An industry-standard communications port used to connect Synectics analog equipment together for communication.
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A recommended standard, extending the cable length of RS-232 past the 50ft limit.
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Similar to RS-422 but used in multi-point applications, where up to 64 network devices can be interconnected.
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Used to communicate with the Wharton Rugby Clock to synchronise the time over the Synectics network with the Wharton Rugby standard.
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A preliminary sketch or diagram representing the proposed intent of the designer.
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An executable list of commands that can run without user interaction.
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This is a set of cryptographic hash functions designed by the National Security Agency. It is a U.S. Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS). Synectics software uses the SHA-2 Message-Digest Algorithm to create a unique 256 bit “Fingerprint” which is embedded in the one minute video file at point of creation.
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Standard security technologies for establishing an encrypted link between two network devices.
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A communication scheme in which the raw form of the data is transferred one at a time, point-to-point.
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A Serial Communications Port commonly found on workstations and servers to transfer RS-232C or RS-422 standards.
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A computer that provides services to other computers on a network.
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An Internet protcol to allow devices to share access to files and serial devices.
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A process whereby the primary server database is copied (replicated) to a backup (or failover) server that will operate if the primary server fails.
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A signalling protocol, used for controlling items such as voice and video calls over the Internet.
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A communications protocol allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices.
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An alarm which, when triggered, will effectively be ignored by the receiving system. Shunted alarms are typically configured when a system is under repair, or when the alarm sensor is faulty and generating false alarms.
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The Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) is an Internet standard for the transmission of email messages across an IP network.
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An Internet standard protocol for managing devices on a network.
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A communication that can only take place in one direction.
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A device that relies on a master device for communication and for its configuration.
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When a PTZ camera is connected to one output port on a device and terminates at the PTZ.
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A camera which does not have PTZ capability.
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Typically, an RJ45 Ethernet cable that is used to connect computers or networking devices to a hub, switch or router to enable interconnectivity over a network.
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This is data being transported from one node to another.
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A device, through which most Synergy digital equipment communicates, that controls the flow of traffic over the network.
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Enables Synergy to handle a number of contact closure alarm inputs, and provide programmable logic for remote switching outputs and optional driving of PTZ cameras.
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The name of our software solution.
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This can refer to either the actual workstation or computer on which the Synergy client software resides or the actual client application.
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This can refer to either the actual computing machine on which the Synergy server software resides or the actual server application.
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A tour around selected cameras and the selected presets for each camera.
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Receives instructions from a controller and decodes them into instructions a Tecton Darlex hard disc recorder can accept.
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The data connection between a camera and system that enables control of the camera.
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An open network protocol developed to enable CCTV systems from any manufacturer to be integrated into an existing CCTV network.
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Where a signal, stream or data communication comes to an end.
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A European mobile radio specification. It is a European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standard.
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The movement a PTZ camera performs moving up or down in a vertical line.
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Pan (horizontal rotation), Tilt (vertical rotation) and Zoom (variable focal length/angle of view).
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Also known as 'hop limit', this is a mechanism that limits the lifespan or lifetime of data in a computer or network.
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A standard set of rules used to send data from one point on a network to another.
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Standard security technologies for establishing an encrypted link between two network devices.
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An audible or visual notification that a significant event requiring action has taken place. For example, a fire alarm signifies that people should leave a building in accordance with their fire procedures.
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In Internet networks, unicast transmission is the sending of information from a single source (such as an IP camera) to a single destination. If information is requested by multiple destinations, then it is sent to each one individually.
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A special power source which takes over in the event of a failure in the main power system for a specific period of time.
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A connection port on a computer that is universally compatible with many types of devices.
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The ability to analyse video footage for specific characteristics. For example, motion detection, object detection and/or recognition (facial or number plate).
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This is the duration of a period of video picture loss.
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This marks the end of any loss of video picture.
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This unit takes incoming video signals and overlays textual information onto them, such as date, time, camera and monitor numbering. VOL8 is the 8-channel overlay unit.
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A software program that makes it possible to control a computer from any computer or mobile device on the network which has it installed.
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A private data network that makes use of the public telecommunication infrastructure, maintaining privacy through the use of a tunnelling protocol and security procedures.
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A software application that monitors the state of other applications configured within it and ensures they are always running.
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A geographically-dispersed data communications network used by computers and other networked devices.
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A set of operating system interfaces through which components provide information and notification.
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A computer intended for individual use that is faster and more capable than a personal computer.
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To enlarge and display greater detail of a portion of a picture seen by the camera lens.
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