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MERLIN LEGEND Communications System Release 6.0
System Manager’s Guide
555-660-118
Issue 1
February 1998
About the System
Page 2-29Data Communications Capabilities
2
Data Communications Capabilities 2
One of the important capabilities of the system is that it can carry both voice and
data communications simultaneously over the same lines. In addition, system
features used for voice communications, such as Automatic Route Selection,
calling restrictions, and speed dialing can also enhance the use of data
equipment.
NOTE:
For the most up-to-date information about data and video communications,
consult the
Data/Video Reference
.
Thus, the system allows you to use telephone lines for communicating not only
voices but data and video too. For example, a computer in New York can send
data files to a computer in San Diego. At your own company, your PC can
communicate with a gateway computer on a local area network (LAN) and gain
access to the network; or, you can call your office computer from your home
computer and send files back and forth between your home and office.
In addition, the system supports advanced network services that integrate voice
and data, such as group and personal videoconferencing.
A special type of extension, called a
data workstation
, is used for data
communications. It may include a telephone and always includes two types of
equipment:
■ Data Terminal Equipment (DTE). For example, a PC, data terminal,
printer, optical scanner, or video system.
■ Data Communications Equipment (DCE). For example, an internal or
external modem or an external Ascend Pipeline™ 50 ISDN terminal
adapter.
The DTE connects to the system via the DCE, which has capabilities similar to a
telephone. The DCE places the data call, maintains its connection, and terminates
the data call.
Sometimes a telephone is also part of a data workstation. The telephone can be
either an MLX or an analog multiline telephone that operates independently of the
data communications equipment (DCE). You can attach a modem to either an
analog or MLX telephone adapter.
A
video workstation
is a type of data workstation that allows group or desktop
videoconferencing.