USRobotics

USRobotics SureConnect ADSL USB/Ethernet Modem User Guide

Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP, NT 4.0 or later, Macintosh, and Linux

Glossary

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) - Transports information to and from customers and networks.

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) - This is a protocol that packs digital information into 53-byte cells which are switched throughout a network over virtual circuits.

Bandwidth - This is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a given time period.

DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) - This is a network device that receives signals from multiple customer Digital Subscriber Line connections and places them on higher speed lines with multiplexing techniques for the fastest phone line technology available.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - This is a protocol for automatic TCP/IP configurations providing static and dynamic address allocation and management.

DNS (Domain Naming System) - This is a mechanism used in the Internet for translating names of host computers into addresses.

Filter - This is an operating parameter used in LAN bridges and routers that when set, will cause these devices to block the transfer of packets from one LAN to another.

G.DMT - This refers to the ADSL standard approved by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). G.DMT indicates full rate ADSL which provides standards for higher speed ADSL than G.Lite. G.DMT provides maximum data rates of 8 Mbps downstream to the subscriber and 1.5 Mbps upstream from the subscriber.

G.Lite - Officially known as G.992.2, it is now a standard way to install Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line service. G.Lite makes it possible to have Internet connections to home and business computers at up to 1.5 Mbps over regular phone lines.

Gateway - This is an entrance and an exit to a communications network.
IP (Internal Protocol) - This allows a packet of information to travel through many networks and LANs.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - Digital telecommunications lines that can transmit voice and digital network services.

LAN (Local Area Network) - This is a network base covering a local geographic area.

Modulation Type - The process of varying characteristic elements of the electrical carrier waves.

POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) - This is a basic voice service available in residences throughout the United States.

RAM (Random Access Memory) - The primary memory in a computer, this is memory that can be overwritten with new information. The random access part of its name comes from the fact that the next bit of information in RAM can be located - no matter where it is - in an equal amount of time.

RJ-11 - This is a six-conductor modular telephone jack wired for up to four wires. The most common telephone jack in the world, the RJ-11 is typically used for connecting telephone instruments, modems and fax machines to a female RJ-11 jack on the wall or in the floor.

Subnet Mask - This is a portion of a network and is distinguished from other portions by the use of a mask or subnet number.

Splitter - This is an analog voice transmitted at baseband frequencies and combined with the passband data transmission via a low-pass filter.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - This is a set of protocols designed to link dissimilar computers using a variety of networks and LANs.

Topology - The geometric physical or electrical configuration describing a local communication network. The most common distribution system topologies are the bus, ring, and star.

VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) - This is the address of a virtual circuit.

VPI (Virtual Path Identifier) - This is the address of a virtual path corresponding to a connection on an ATM Network.

WAN (Wide Area Network) - This is a network base covering a large geographic area.

WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) - This is a service transposing Windows networking names into usable addresses for routing purposes.

Contents:

USRobotics SureConnect ADSL USB/Ethernet Modem User Guide

Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP, NT 4.0 or later, Macintosh, and Linux

Glossary