DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

DHCP is software that automatically assigns IP addresses to client stations logging onto a TCP/IP network. DHCP eliminates having to manually assign permanent IP addresses to every device on your network. DHCP software typically runs in servers and is also found in network devices such as Routers.

DMT

Discrete Multi-Tone frequency signal modulation

Downstream rate

The line rate for return messages or data transfers from the network machine to the user's premises machine.

DSLAM

Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplex

Dynamic IP Addresses

A dynamic IP address is an IP address that is automatically assigned to a client station (computer, printer, etc.) in a TCP/IP network. Dynamic IP addresses are typically assigned by a DHCP server, which can be a computer on the network or another piece of hardware, such as the Router. A dynamic IP address

may change every time your computer connects to the network.

Encapsulation

The technique layer protocols in which a layer adds header information to the protocol data unit (PDU) from the layer above. As an example, in Internet terminology, a packet would contain a header from the physical layer, followed by a header from the network layer (IP), followed by a header from the transport

layer (TCP), and followed by the application protocol data.

Ethernet

One of the most common local area network (LAN) wiring schemes, Ethernet has a transmission rate of 10 Mbps.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. The Internet protocol (and program) transfer files between hosts.

Hop count

A measure of distance between two points on the Internet. It is equivalent to the number of gateways that separate the source and destination.

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