Definitions and Applications of Trunking | Generated by AI
Question: What does “trunking” mean?
Answer:
“Trunking” is a term with multiple meanings depending on the context. Here are the primary definitions:
- In telecommunications and networking: Trunking refers to the practice of sharing a set of communication lines, circuits, channels, or frequencies among multiple users or clients, rather than dedicating individual ones to each. This improves efficiency and reduces costs. For example:
- In telephone systems, “trunk lines” connect exchanges or PBXs, allowing shared access for outgoing calls.
- In computer networking (especially VLANs), trunking allows multiple virtual LANs (VLANs) to share a single physical link between switches or devices, using protocols like IEEE 802.1Q to tag frames and identify their VLAN.
- SIP trunking enables VoIP calls over the internet by virtualizing traditional phone trunks.
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In radio systems: Trunked radio systems dynamically allocate available radio channels to users or talkgroups via a control channel, allowing many users to share a limited pool of frequencies efficiently (common in public safety and professional two-way radios).
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In electrical installations: Trunking is a protective casing (often plastic or metal channels) used to enclose and organize electrical cables or wires, providing protection and neat routing.
- In logistics and transportation (especially UK): Trunking describes the bulk transport of goods over long distances using major roads (trunk roads/motorways), typically between distribution centers or hubs, often on regular routes (e.g., night trunking for efficiency).
The most common technical usages today are in networking (VLAN trunking) and telecommunications/radio systems.
References:
- Trunking - Wikipedia
- What is Trunking? – Definition from TechTarget
- Trunked radio system - Wikipedia
- TRUNKING Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com