Training—Pre-requisites

Suggested Pre-requisites
A large amount of information will be covered in these classes. Because only a set amount of time is allowed for each module of the class, students must come to class with a good understanding of certain items in order to keep up with the class and have the class be effective. For the switch class, it is very helpful if the student understands basic telephony terms, such as T1, DS3, ANI, DNIS, DID, trunks, E&M, and FG-D. Because the switch is basically a big computer, the more the student knows about basic computer protocol the better. The student should be comfortable with text-based systems in which all navigation and data manipulation is done through a keyboard (there is no mouse involved). The student should be comfortable with command prompt level computing (e.g., working from DOS) such as changing directories, opening and editing text files, "commenting out," and searching.

The NTS is a computer based on the Linux operating system. The more a person knows about Linux, the easier it will be to work with this product. However, a high comfort level of working at the command prompt level of some other operating system such as DOS should be sufficient. The student should be familiar with databases. The student should be familiar with telephony terms such as LATA, trunk groups, LEC, and IXC. The student should have an understanding of how the business conducted with the NTS is to be organized. Because the NTS is a database in which data moves changing from one state to another, the student should be comfortable with the concept of many different but interrelated parts working as one.

The instructors are very concerned with the ability of the students to successfully run the equipment and will do all they can to facilitate learning. However, due to the limited amount of time, the class must move at a certain pace in order to cover the material. Any NACT customer is welcome to take the class regardless of telephony or computer experience, but he or she should understand that competency levels in relation to the equipment would vary at the end of the class in relation to the experience they bring in to the class.