SMC Networks SMC7003USB V.2 manual Glossary

GLOSSARY

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)

One of four DSL technologies. ADSL is designed to deliver more bandwidth downstream (from the central office to the customer site) than upstream. Downstream rates range from 1.5 to 9 Mbps, whereas upstream bandwidth ranges from 16 to 640 Kbps. ADSL transmissions work at distances up to 18,000 feet (5,488 meters) over a single copper twisted pair.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Acell-based connection-oriented data service offering high speed (up to 2.488 Gbps) data transfer. ATM integrates circuit and packet switching to handle both constant and burst information. Frequently called cell relay.

Bandwidth

The difference between the highest and lowest frequencies available for network signals. Also synonymous with wire speed, the actual speed of the data transmission along the cable.

CSMA/CD

CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detect) is a communication method over shared medium that is employed by Ethernet and Fast Ethernet.

DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM)

A device at a phone company’s central office that links many customer’s DSL connections to a single high-speed ATM line.

Domain Naming System (DNS)

System used in the Internet for translating names of network nodes into addresses.

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