What Does Network Equipment-Building System Mean?
Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) is a set of technical specifications defined by the Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) Central Office in the 1970s. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure equipment compatibility between RBOC and third-party vendors.
There are three levels of NEBS certification, each addressing different issues.
Techopedia Explains Network Equipment-Building System
NEBS was aimed at helping vendors manufacture network equipment that is compatible with the Regional Bell Operating Company Central Office. This strategy would not only reduce the cost of production of equipment, but also help in establishing networks using the standard hardware required. Some of the largest telecommunication companies in US at the time included AT&T, Verizon, BellSouth and Qwest, all of which welcomed the introduction of regularization and formed the famous Telecommunications Carrier Group (TCG). Primary tasks of this group included synchronization of standards across the whole US. NEBS eventually became an industry requirement.
While NEBS is still in effect, some carriers use their own NEBS checklists rather than the standards originally set forth.