Broadband Glossary
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
ADSL is a type of digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, a data communication technology that enables faster data transfer over a copper telephone line than a conventional voiceband modem can provide. It is called “asymmetric” because it has a higher data rate for downloading (from the Internet to the user) compared to uploading (from the user to the Internet). ADSL is widely used for Internet access, allowing users to connect to the Internet and receive data at high speeds while simultaneously using the same telephone line for voice calls.
ADSL 2+
ADSL 2+ is an improved version of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology that provides faster data transfer rates. It uses advanced modulation techniques to increase the maximum data rate, allowing for faster download speeds and improved performance. ADSL 2+ is also capable of using a wider frequency spectrum, which enables it to support more users and provide a more stable connection. This technology is commonly used for high-speed Internet access and is widely available in many countries including UK.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time, usually measured in mega bits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per second (Gbps). The bandwidth of a network connection determines the speed at which data can be transferred, with a higher bandwidth allowing for faster data transfer. The bandwidth of a network can be affected by several factors, including the type of connection, the distance between the transmitting and receiving devices, and the amount of traffic on the network.
Broadband modem
A broadband modem is a device that provides Internet access by connecting a computer or a local area network (LAN) to a broadband Internet service provider (ISP). It converts the digital signals from the computer or LAN into analog signals that can be transmitted over the telephone line to the ISP and vice versa. The modem then converts the incoming analog signals back into digital signals that can be used by the computer or LAN.
Broadband modems typically support higher data transfer rates compared to traditional dial-up modems, allowing for faster Internet access. There are different types of broadband modems, including cable modems, digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, and fibre optic modems, each designed to work with a specific type of broadband service.
Contention Ratio
Contention ratio refers to the number of users sharing a single broadband connection. It is expressed as the ratio of the number of users to the amount of available bandwidth. For example, if a broadband connection has a contention ratio of 20:1, it means that there are 20 users sharing a single connection with 1 Mbps of available bandwidth.
A higher contention ratio means that the shared bandwidth is being divided among more users, potentially leading to slower Internet speeds, particularly during periods of high network usage. On the other hand, a lower contention ratio provides a larger share of the available bandwidth to each user, resulting in faster and more stable Internet speeds.
It is important to note that the actual speeds a user experiences may also be influenced by other factors, such as the location and quality of the user’s broadband modem, the distance from the user’s location to the nearest exchange, and the type of service used.
Dial-up
Dial-up is a type of Internet access that uses a telephone line to connect a computer to the Internet. A dial-up connection requires a dial-up modem and a telephone line to establish an Internet connection. The modem dials a phone number provided by the Internet service provider (ISP) to establish a connection to the Internet.
Dial-up is one of the earliest forms of Internet access and is still used in areas where broadband or high-speed Internet access is not available. However, dial-up is much slower than broadband and is typically limited to 56 kilobits per second (Kbps). Additionally, a dial-up connection is not always on and the user must dial into the Internet each time they want to access it, making it less convenient than broadband.
Dial-up is largely being replaced by faster and more reliable forms of Internet access, such as broadband, cable, and fiber optic services.
Dynamic IP address
A dynamic IP address is a type of Internet Protocol (IP) address that is assigned to a device dynamically, rather than being fixed or static. Dynamic IP addresses are assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) when a device connects to the Internet and are typically temporary, changing each time the device connects.
Dynamic IP addresses are often used for consumer-grade Internet connections, such as those provided by cable or digital subscriber line (DSL) providers. This allows the provider to efficiently manage their IP address space, as multiple customers can be assigned the same IP address when they are not using the Internet, and then be assigned different addresses when they are.
Dynamic IP addresses can present some challenges for certain applications, such as hosting a website or running a server, as the IP address of the device may change, making it difficult to locate the device on the Internet. In these cases, a static IP address may be preferred.
Ethernet card and cable
An Ethernet card is a hardware component that is installed in a computer and provides a connection to an Ethernet network. The card, also known as a network interface card (NIC), is responsible for transmitting and receiving data over the Ethernet network. Ethernet cards use the Ethernet protocol to communicate with other devices on the network, and typically connect to the computer through a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot.
An Ethernet cable is a type of cable used to connect devices on an Ethernet network. Ethernet cables typically use a twisted pair of copper wires and come in a variety of types, including Category 5 (Cat 5), Category 5e (Cat 5e), Category 6 (Cat 6), and Category 7 (Cat 7). The type of Ethernet cable used depends on the data transfer requirements of the network, with higher-category cables supporting faster data transfer rates. Ethernet cables can be used to connect a computer to a switch, router, or modem, or to connect switches and routers to each other to form a larger network.
Firewall
A firewall monitors and controls network traffic and acts as a barrier between a private internal network and the public Internet, and is designed to block unauthorized access while allowing authorized communications.
Firewalls can be hardware-based or software-based, and are commonly used in organizations and homes to protect against malicious Internet traffic such as hacking attempts, viruses, and malware. Firewalls can also be used to restrict access to specific websites, IP addresses, and services.
Network firewalls are installed on network devices such as routers and protect the entire network, while host-based firewalls are installed on individual computers and protect only the computer on which they are installed.
Hotspots
A hotspot is a physical location where people can access the Internet, typically using Wi-Fi, through a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a router connected to an Internet service provider. Hotspots can be found in a variety of public places such as cafes, libraries, airports, hotels, and shopping centers, as well as in homes and offices.
Hotspots provide users with a convenient way to access the Internet while on the go, without the need for a wired connection. Some hotspots are free and open to the public, while others require a fee or subscription.
Hotspots can be used with Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and e-readers. To connect to a hotspot, a user typically needs to search for available Wi-Fi networks on their device and select the appropriate network. Some hotspots may require authentication through a login page or may have terms and conditions of use that the user must agree to.
HSDPA
High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a mobile telecommunications technology that provides faster data transfer speeds on the downlink (download) of a cellular network. HSDPA is an enhancement of the 3G (Third Generation) cellular technology and is often referred to as 3.5G or 3G+.
HSDPA provides data transfer rates of up to 14.4 Mbps, which is significantly faster than traditional 3G networks, allowing for quicker downloads of large files, such as videos and music, and enabling a better online experience for mobile users.
HSDPA is widely used in many countries and is a key technology in the development of 4G (Fourth Generation) cellular networks. HSDPA is compatible with most modern smartphones and mobile devices and is offered by many mobile service providers.
Internet service provider (ISP)
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers a range of services, including broadband, dial-up, and mobile Internet access, and provide the infrastructure and hardware needed to connect to the Internet.
ISPs use various technologies to deliver Internet access, including digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, fiber-optic, and satellite. The type of Internet service offered, as well as the speed and reliability of the service, can vary depending on the location and the specific ISP.
ISPs also provide additional services, such as email, web hosting, and virtual private network (VPN) access, and may offer different pricing plans and packages to suit different customer needs and budgets.
IP address
An IP address or Internet Protocol address is a unique number set to each device connected to a network that uses internet. It helps to identify the host or network interface, and also provides the location of the host in the network.
An IP address is composed of two parts, the network ID and the host ID. The network ID identifies the network that a device is connected to, while the host ID is a unique identifier for a specific device within the network.
IPv4 and IPv6 are two types of IP addresses. IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers, usually represented in dot-decimal notation (e.g. 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers and use a hexadecimal representation (e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
Every device connected to the Internet must have a unique IP address to facilitate communication between devices. IP addresses can be static, meaning they remain the same for a long time, or dynamic, meaning they change each time a device connects to the network.
Kbps
Kbps is a unit of measurement for data transfer rate or network speed, abbreviated as Kbps. It helps us know the speed of an Internet connection and the amount of data transferred over the network. 1 Kbps is the transmission of 1,000 bits of data per second.
MAC
A Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) is a unique code provided by a service provider to their customers that allows them to switch to another provider without experiencing any downtime or loss of service. The MAC code is used to initiate the process of transferring the customer’s service to the new provider and is required by the new provider to complete the migration process. It acts as a password that authorises the transfer and ensures that the customer’s service is not disrupted during the switch.
Megabits (Mbps)
Mbps is an abbreviation for Megabits per second, and is a unit of measurement for the data transfer rate or speed of a network. It’s commonly employed to measure the speed of internet connections and the volume of data transmitted over a network. 1 Mbps is equivalent to 1 million bits of data transmitted per second. The greater the Mbps, the greater the data transfer rate, which leads to a faster download and upload of files. A fast internet connection with a high Mbps is crucial for activities like streaming HD video, playing online games, and downloading large files.
Micro-filter
A micro-filter is an accessory used in telephone and broadband connections (ADSL) to separate the voice and data signals carried over the same line. The micro-filter is inserted between the telephone socket and the modem, and it separates the analog voice signal from the digital data signal, preventing interference and ensuring clear transmission of both signals.
In ADSL broadband connections, the micro-filter helps to eliminate the background noise and static often caused by interference from the telephone signal. It also helps to prevent the modem from interfering with the telephone signal, ensuring that the telephone and broadband services are transmitted clearly and separately. The use of micro-filters is especially important in households that have multiple telephones and broadband devices, as it ensures that each device operates at the best possible performance.
Modem
Modulator de modulator.
A modem is an equipment that facilitates the communication of computers and other devices over a network, such as the internet. Modems are typically employed in residential and business environments to facilitate internet access. The modem converts digital information from a computer or other device into analog signals that can be transmitted via a telephone line, fibre optic line, cable, or satellite. At the other end, a different modem decodes the analog signals into digital signals that can be processed by the computer or device.
Modems come in different varieties, including dial-up modems, cable modems, and DSL modems, each of which is designed to operate on a specific type of internet connection. They can also be internal or external, the external models typically have a greater variety of installation options and are more versatile.
The latest modems play a critical role in providing internet access and continue to evolve to keep up with the growing demand for faster and more reliable internet connections.
Mobile broadband
Refers to the use of GPRS networks and advanced 3G & HSDPA technologies to provide broadband connection to the smartphone users and laptop users. Usually slower than ADSL or cable broadband and the users often depend on the signal strength.
Ofcom
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is an independent regulator of UK telecom industry. It helps to resolve the issues between the broadband users and the broadband providers.
Router
Router helps multiple PCs to share a single broadband connection.
SDSL
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Upload speeds are par with download speeds on a SDSL line. Perfect for businesses.
Static IP address
Permanent IP address assigned to the computer in a network.
Usage cap
Monthly download limit. Your usage during a month should not go beyond this limit failing which you would pay for the additional usage.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Network with advanced security and encryption features.
WAN
Wide Area Network. A large network making up of many local area networks (LAN).
WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy. This wireless securty feature makes sure that your wireless network is safe from the unauthorized access by hackers.
Wi-Fi
Wireless Fidelity. Wifi users can access broadband on their smart phones or laptops.
Wi-Max
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a wireless broadband technology used to transmit data over long distances.
Wireless access point
A component used in wireless networking or wi-fi hotspots.
WLAN
Wireless local area network.
WPA
Wi-Fi Protected Access. Advanced wireless security feature that uses encryption to protect wireless network from unauthorized access by hackers It provides better protection than WEP.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP or broadband telephony uses internet connection to make and receive voice calls. The call rates are quite cheaper than standard telephone service.