Tech made simple.

Phones

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol

Phone calls carried over an internet connection.

Why it matters

Use your business number on compatible desk phones, computers or mobiles.

For example

Answer a work call on your laptop while working away from the office.

Phones

PBX

Private Branch Exchange

A system that manages your business phone calls and extensions.

Why it matters

It routes callers to the right person and can provide menus and voicemail.

For example

Press 1 for sales, or transfer a call to another team member.

Phones

Hosted PABX

Hosted Private Automatic Branch Exchange · also called hosted PBX or cloud phone system

A business phone system hosted offsite, with compatible desk phones and apps connecting to it over the internet. It manages extensions and routes calls without a dedicated phone-system server at your premises.

Why it matters

A hosted, software-based system can reduce upfront equipment costs and save space by removing the need for a dedicated onsite PBX server. Compatible phones or apps, network equipment and an internet connection are still needed; ongoing subscription and call charges apply.

Access and resilience

Compared with a traditional office-bound PBX, staff can more easily use their business extension across locations on compatible phones, computers or mobiles. A hosted service with resilient infrastructure and suitable failover can improve continuity during an office outage. This depends on the provider’s design, available power and backup connectivity—it is not automatic.

For example

A customer calls your main number and selects sales. The system rings your Perth office and a team member working remotely, according to your call-routing settings.

Phones

SIP

Session Initiation Protocol

A signalling method used to set up and end many internet phone calls.

Why it matters

Compatible phone systems and providers need to communicate with each other.

For example

A SIP trunk connects your office phone system to a phone provider over an IP network.

Phones

Number porting

Keeping your phone number

Moving an existing phone number between providers.

Why it matters

You may be able to keep the number your customers already know; eligibility and timing need checking.

For example

Move to a new phone provider while retaining your advertised business number.

Phones

QoS

Quality of Service

Rules that give certain network traffic priority when a connection is busy.

Why it matters

Prioritising voice can help call quality, but cannot fix an unreliable connection.

For example

Give phone calls priority over a large file transfer on your office network.

Internet

Bandwidth

Connection capacity

How much data a connection can carry at once, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.

Why it matters

More capacity can support more people and busy applications at the same time.

For example

Several staff join video meetings while others upload large files.

Internet

Upload and download

The two directions of data

Download brings data to you; upload sends data from you.

Why it matters

Cloud backups, sending files and video calls all need upload capacity too.

For example

Sending plans to a client uses upload; receiving their files uses download.

Internet

Latency

Connection delay

The time data takes to travel between points on a network.

Why it matters

Low delay helps conversations and interactive applications feel responsive.

For example

A noticeable pause before the other person hears you during a call.

Internet

FTTP

Fibre to the Premises

An access connection with fibre running all the way to your premises.

Why it matters

It describes the physical connection; available speeds and service levels still depend on your plan.

For example

Fibre reaches an optical connection box at your business premises.

Internet

Failover

A backup connection

Switching to another connection when the main connection fails.

Why it matters

It can help keep essential services running; the backup needs suitable coverage and capacity.

For example

Your router switches from a fixed connection to mobile data during an outage.

Networks & Cabling

LAN

Local Area Network

The network connecting devices within an office, building or local site.

Why it matters

It lets staff and equipment share resources locally.

For example

Office computers connect to a shared printer through the local network.

Networks & Cabling

Router

Connecting networks

A device that directs traffic between different networks.

Why it matters

It commonly links your office network to the internet.

For example

Your office router sends website requests through your internet connection.

Networks & Cabling

Switch

Connecting local devices

A device that connects wired equipment within a network.

Why it matters

It provides connection points for computers, phones and other equipment.

For example

A cabinet switch connects the data outlets across your office.

Networks & Cabling

Wi-Fi access point

Wireless network access

A device that connects wireless equipment to your local network.

Why it matters

Placement and coverage affect how reliably staff can work wirelessly.

For example

A ceiling-mounted access point provides Wi-Fi in a meeting area.

Networks & Cabling

Fibre optics

Data carried by light

Cabling that carries data as pulses of light through thin fibres.

Why it matters

It is useful for high-capacity links and distances beyond typical copper office cabling.

For example

A fibre link connects network equipment in two buildings.

Data Centres

Data centre

A home for IT equipment

A facility designed to house servers and network equipment, with supporting power and cooling.

Why it matters

It provides an environment for business systems; facilities and service levels vary.

For example

Your business hosts equipment in a managed facility instead of an office cupboard.

Data Centres

Remote hands

Local help for a remote team

An onsite technician carries out physical tasks while your IT team directs the work remotely.

Why it matters

It gives your team a local presence without travelling to the site.

For example

Check status lights, trace a cable or replace approved equipment in a WA data centre.

Data Centres

Rack and rack unit (U)

Equipment space

A rack holds IT equipment; a rack unit measures its vertical mounting space.

Why it matters

Equipment must fit the available rack space, power and cooling arrangements.

For example

A 2U server occupies two rack units of height.

Data Centres

Cross-connect

A physical link in a facility

A cable connection between equipment or service providers within a data centre.

Why it matters

It can link your equipment to a carrier or another service in the facility.

For example

Arrange a fibre connection from your rack to an internet provider.

Data Centres

UPS

Uninterruptible Power Supply

Equipment that provides temporary battery power when the main power supply is interrupted.

Why it matters

It can keep systems running briefly or allow an orderly shutdown; runtime depends on load and capacity.

For example

A UPS powers a network switch through a short power interruption.

Internet

Modem

The link to your connection

A device that converts signals for an internet connection, such as a DSL or cable service.

Why it matters

A modem and router do different jobs, although they may share one box. Fibre commonly uses an optical network terminal instead.

For example

Your provider supplies connection equipment, which then connects to your router.

Internet

ISP

Internet Service Provider

The business that supplies your internet service.

Why it matters

Your provider, plan and connection type affect speed, support and outage handling.

For example

You contact your ISP when the external internet service is down.

Internet

DNS

Domain Name System

A lookup system that matches names, such as a website address, to the network addresses computers use.

Why it matters

A DNS problem can stop websites loading even when your connection is working.

For example

Your browser looks up a website name before connecting to its server.

Internet

IP address

An address on a network

An address used to identify a device or connection on an IP network.

Why it matters

Private addresses are used inside networks; public addresses are used on the internet.

For example

Your office printer has a local IP address so computers can find it.

Networks & Cabling

Wi-Fi versus internet

Two different connections

Wi-Fi connects your device to a local network wirelessly. Internet access connects that network to services beyond your premises.

Why it matters

Full Wi-Fi bars do not guarantee that your internet service is working.

For example

Your laptop can reach the office printer over Wi-Fi during an internet outage.

Networks & Cabling

Ethernet

A wired network connection

A common way to connect equipment to a local network using cables.

Why it matters

A wired connection can offer consistent performance for desks, phones and fixed equipment.

For example

A network cable connects your desk computer to an office data outlet.

Networks & Cabling

PoE

Power over Ethernet

Technology that carries electrical power and network data along the same Ethernet cable to compatible equipment.

Why it matters

It can simplify installation where a separate power outlet would be awkward. Power requirements must match.

For example

A compatible switch powers a ceiling Wi-Fi access point through its network cable.

Networks & Cabling

Patch panel

Organising your data cabling

A panel where permanent network cables terminate, usually inside a cabinet.

Why it matters

Clear labels help technicians identify outlets and make changes without disturbing permanent cabling.

For example

A short patch lead links the meeting-room outlet on the panel to a switch.

Security & Cloud

Firewall

Rules for network traffic

Hardware or software that allows or blocks network traffic according to configured rules.

Why it matters

It helps control access, but works alongside other protections and regular updates.

For example

A firewall blocks unwanted incoming connections to your office network.

Security & Cloud

VPN

Virtual Private Network

A connection that typically creates an encrypted tunnel across another network.

Why it matters

A business VPN can give authorised staff access to office resources remotely. It does not make every online action safe.

For example

A team member connects from home to an approved office system.

Security & Cloud

MFA

Multi-factor authentication

Signing in with more than one kind of evidence that you are the account holder.

Why it matters

It adds protection if a password is stolen.

For example

Sign in with a password and approve a prompt in an authenticator app.

Security & Cloud

Cloud services

Business tools delivered online

Applications, storage or computing hosted in a provider’s facilities and accessed over a network.

Why it matters

They can support working across locations; access, internet reliability and backup arrangements still matter.

For example

Your team uses hosted email or an online accounting application.

Security & Cloud

Backup versus sync

Keeping a recovery copy

Sync keeps files aligned across devices. Backup keeps recoverable copies according to a retention policy.

Why it matters

A deletion can sync to other devices. Sync alone is not a complete backup plan.

For example

Restore an earlier file from a separate backup after it was accidentally deleted.

Phones

Softphone

Your phone, as an app

Software that lets you make and receive calls through a compatible phone service.

Why it matters

Staff can use a business phone service without a dedicated desk handset.

For example

Take a business call using a laptop and headset.