switchboard
Operator's control panel
A switchboard is a panel or system for routing electrical connections, especially telephone calls.
Early telephone switchboards required human operators to physically connect calls by plugging cables into jacks.
The term now applies to any central routing system: The receptionist operates the switchboard.
Figuratively, anything that coordinates multiple inputs functions as a switchboard: The brain's prefrontal cortex acts as a switchboard for decision-making.
One who works machinery
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- callContact by phone
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
dial · handset · extension · PBX · intercom · telephone · cord · plugging
One who works machinery
- cordFlexible twisted strand
- plugSomething that blocks openings
- manualWritten instructions for use
- tollFee for passage
long-distance · exchange · central · tandem · magneto · lamp · jack · position
Closed electrical pathway
- wiringInstalled electrical conductors
- breakerWave that collapses shoreward
- fuseProtective melting wire
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
voltage · current · conductor · grounding · distribution · load · mains · contact
Central connection point
- routingPath selection process
- interconnectJoin in a network
- linkPoint of connection
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
node · gateway · central · traffic · distribution · backbone · infrastructure · telecommunications
operator
One who works machinery
receiver · dial · handset · extension · PBX · intercom · telephone · cord · plugging · patch
operator
One who works machinery
toll · long-distance · exchange · central · tandem · magneto · lamp · jack · position · supervisor
circuit
Closed electrical pathway
- wiringInstalled electrical conductors
- breakerWave that collapses shoreward
- fuseProtective melting wire
relay · voltage · current · conductor · grounding · distribution · load · mains · contact · terminal
hub
Central connection point
- routingPath selection process
- interconnectJoin in a network
- linkPoint of connection
exchange · node · gateway · central · traffic · distribution · backbone · infrastructure · telecommunications · dispatch
jack
Device for lifting vehicles
- socketHollow receiving cavity
- plugSomething that blocks openings
- connectionA joining or relation
terminal · console · interface · controls · buttons · toggles · lights · indicators · display · station
- servicescleaning services, streaming, delivery services, salon, bellhop
- telecommunicationscell phone, cellphone, signals, cellular network, telephone calls
- telephonytelephone, telephone network, call, dial tone, phone lines
- controlsbutton, dial, knob, lever, slider
- obsolete servicespony express, town crier, elevator operator, typing pool
- Office Operationsreception, lobby, receptionist, secretary, admin
switchboarddirect line
Immediate communication channel
dedicated line · direct dial · hotline · peer-to-peer · extension
- switchboard operatorsStaff routing calls manually