User Manual
BritePort 8012-V1
43
D. GLOSSARY
In order to understand a new technology, it is important that you understand its terminology. This
section offers basic explanation to some of the common networking and DSL terms.
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line — A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology that
allows digital data to be sent over existing telephone lines and the downstream data rates are
appreciably higher than the upstream data rates. Many different DSL technologies have been
developed and ADSL is undoubtedly the most popular DSL technology for individuals and
small businesses because ADSL offers higher downstream (or download) data rates than
upstream (or upload) data rates.
Analog signal - A continuous signal, which is having a continuous range of values, for example the
voice signal on the Public Telephone System.
ATM - Asynchronous Transfer Mode — A transfer mode in which the information is organized into
fixed-length cells, each of 53 bytes. An ATM network handles data in gigabits per second.
Backbone - The part of the communications network intended and designed to carry the bulk of the
traffic. It provides connectivity between various sub-networks in an enterprise’s wide area
network.
Bandwidth - A measure of the maximum rate of data transfer. Greater bandwidth allows the transfer
of more information in a given period of time. For digital services, the bandwidth is usually
expressed in bits or bytes per second.
Binary - A number system that has only two digits 0 and 1.
BPS - Bits Per Second — A measurement of data transmission speed.
Bridge - A hardware device that links two or more local area networks (LANs) and manages the
transfer of data between these LANs.
Broadband - A transmission media that can handle the transmission of multiple messages, at
different frequencies, at a time. The broadband signals use analog carriers.
Browser - See Web browser.
Cable modem - A modem that sends and receives digital data on the same cable that brings
television broadcast signals to your home.
