After publishing of our article about Demarcation Points, which briefly discussed also concept about PBX, and this scheme below, one of our readers asked us an interesting question:
What’s the difference between PBX and PABX? Is it same or no?
Well, answer is – Yes and No.
Yes, in the context that nowadays, these terms are perfectly interchangable and either one you want to use is OK.
Then, why two of them, and what is the difference?
Well, in the beginning, PBX – Private Brunch Exchange were made like a board of jacks terminating loops and PBX trunks, and physical person – operator were sitting and plugging and out jacks to make necessary connections.
Figure 1: “Manual” PBX
Later on, computer based PBX-es were invented, and in this case A- means Automated, PABX stands for Private Automated Branch Exchange.
So, at that moment these 2 terms were used simultaneosly, however, now, mostly term PBX is used, and it means still of course fully automated hardware based system.
Testimonials
Lomoveishiy – Finland
I needed those to connect my PC on the third floor to have internet access in that room, and ISP installed their modem on the first floor only. After dropping fiber patch cables, plugged in all cables into these media converters at both sides, and link came up instantly. Was much easier than I thought!
