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Broadband Glossary

10BaseT - An Ethernet specification that operates at 10Mbps over two pairs of twisted-pair category 3, 4, or 5 cabling. One pair is used to send data and the other is used to receive data. 10BaseT has a distance limit of about 100m. See also 100BaseT and Fast Ethernet.

100BaseT - The Fast Ethernet specification operating at 100Mbps using UTP wiring. See also 10BaseT and Ethernet.

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) - ARP is the protocol that can determine a computer's IP addresses by using its MAC address. See also Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP).

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) - A residential DSL service where most of the connection is used for receiving information and less for transmitting data from the user. Also can accommodate regular voice communication on the same line. See also Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) - A communication technology that transfers data as a sequence of preset cells that are then processed by a users hardware. This allows for faster transfer speeds that are more suitable for voice, images, or video.

Bandwidth - The amount of data transmitted in a given amount of time; usually measured in bits per second, kilobits per second, and megabits per second.

Bit - A basic unit used for measuring data. A kilobit (Kb) is approximately 1,000 bits. A megabit (Mb) is approximately 1,000,000 bits.

Bootstrap Protocol (BootP) - A protocol used to assign IP addresses and gateways to requesting clients when they first access a network.

Broadband Over Powerline (BPL) - An emerging technology that would provide broadband service over existing electrical power lines.

Broadband Passive Optical Network (BPON) - A network system which uses passive splitters to deliver signals to multiple users. Instead of running a separate strand of optical fiber from the CO to every customer, BPON uses a single strand of fiber to serve multiple subscribers.

Broadband - A descriptive term for digital technologies that provide consumers with higher-speed Internet access, as opposed to dial-up service.

Bypass Carrier - see Competitive Access Provider (CAP)

Competitive Access Provider (CAP) - A company that provides private network links between the customer and the Inter-Exchange Carrier or even directly to the Internet Service Provider.

Cellular - A mobile communications system that uses a combination of radio transmission and conventional telephone switching to permit telephone communications to and from mobile users within a specified area.

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) - A telecommunications service provider that is authorized under state and Federal rules to compete with ILECs to provide local telephone and data service.

Central Office (CO) - A circuit switch where the phone lines in a geographical area come together, usually housed in a small building.

Coaxial Cable - A type of cable that can carry large amounts of bandwidth over long distances. Cable TV and cable modem services both utilize this technology.

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) - Generally a WDM with more spacing between channels on an optic fiber, which comes a lower cost, but also fewer channels.

Crossover cable - A type of Ethernet cable that connects computing devices together directly rather than through a network.

Dial-Up - A technology that provides customers with access to the Internet over an existing telephone line.

Data Local Exchange Carrier (DLEC) - DLECs deliver high-speed Internet access, but not voice communication.

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) - A more sophisticated WDM that can carry more channels on a single optical fiber.

Downstream Data - Data flowing from the Internet to a computer (Surfing the net, getting E-mail, downloading a file).

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) - The use of a telephone line to deliver "always on" broadband Internet service.

Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplier (DSLAM) - A device installed at a service provider's CO that connects multiple subscribers to a main Internet line.

Domain Name System (DNS) - A system for matching a "human friendly" host name to its corresponding IP address.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) - A protocol that assigns an IP address to any device connecting to a network, but changes that address each time the device connects. Similar to a Bootstrap Protocol (BootP).

E-Rate - A Federal program that provides subsidy for voice and data lines to qualified schools, hospitals, and other institutions.

Ethernet - A technology for high-speed bandwidth connectivity over local area networks.

Ethernet Optical Network (EON) - An Ethernet LAN created using fiber-optics.

Evolution Data Only (EvDO) - A telecommunications standard for the wireless transmission of data through radio signals.

Fast Ethernet - Any Ethernet specification operating at a speed of 100Mbps.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - A Federal regulatory agency that is responsible, among other things, of regulating wireline communication markets.

Fiber To The Neighborhood (FTTN) - Also called "fiber to the node." Involves an optical fiber connecting to a node, which then distributes the connection to nearby user premises.

Fiber To The Building (FTTB) - see Fiber To The Premise (FTTP)

Fiber To The Premise (FTTP) - A fiber optic system that connects directly from the carrier network to the user premises.

Firewall - A barrier between any connected public network and private network designed to block unauthorized traffic passing through it.

Gigabyte-Capable Passive Optical Network (GPON) - A more enhanced version of the BPON that allows higher traffic rates and better security.

Global Positioning System (GPS) - A system using satellite technology that allows a user to know exactly where he is anywhere on earth.

Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) - This is the current radio/telephone standard in Europe and many other countries, except Japan and the United States.

Hub (network) - A device that connects multiple Ethernet devices together, making them act as a single network system.

Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Network (HFC) - A broadband network which uses both optical fiber and coaxial cable.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - An international non-profit, professional organization for the advancement of technology related to electricity.

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) - A local telephone company within a defined geographic areas. Prior to 1996, ILECs operated as monopolies having the exclusive right and responsibility for providing local telephone service within LATAs.

Internet Protocol (IP) - A network layer protocol that is part of the TCP/IP stack and allows connectionless service. The primary protocol used for transmitting data across networks using the TCP/IP.

Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN) - A software-defined network offering the appearance, functionality and usefulness of a dedicated private network

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) - A method for enabling traditional telephone lines to carry voice, digital network services, and video

Internet Service Provider (ISP) - A company providing Internet access to consumers and businesses, acting as a bridge between customers and infrastructure owners for dial-up, cable modem and DSL services.

IP Address - An address which uniquely identifies any device on the internet.

Kbps - Kilobits per second: 1,000 bits per second.

Local Area Network (LAN) - Any network linking two or more computers and devices within a small geographical area.

Local Access and Transport Areas (LATA) - A geographic area within with a divested Regional Bell Operating Company is permitted to offer telecommunications service.

Local Loop - A generic term for the connection between the customer's premises (home, office, etc.) and the provider's central office.

MAC address - Also called a Media Access Control address, this is assigned to unique network devices in order to identify them.

Mbps - Megabits per second: 1,000,000 bits per second.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - A high-speed network that interconnects multiple LANs and usually covers a large physical area (a city, a college campus, etc.).

Modem - Stands for Modulator-demodulator. A device that converts digital signals to analog and vice-versa so that digital information can be transmitted over analog communication facilities, such as telephone lines.

Network Address Translation (NAT) - A process typically used to enable hosts on a private network to connect to the internet without having unique IP addresses.

Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS) - A system that allows applications on separate computers to communicate over a LAN.

Network Interface Card (NIC) - An electronic circuit board placed in a computer that enables it to communicate with a LAN.

Overbuilder - A company that utilizes or builds on an existing telecommunications operator's network to increase its capacity.

Passive Optical Network (PON) - A network architecture in which many optical splitters are used to allow a single optical fiber to serve multiple premises.

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) - This refers to the traditional analogue phone service commonly encountered.

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) - The protocol most commonly used to establish a direct connection between networking nodes.

Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPP) - PPPoE is the protocol used by many ADSL Internet Service Providers to connect customer computers to a remote site (i.e. the ISP) through standard telephone equipment.

Port Address Translation (PAT) - Allows a single IP address to represent multiple host by altering the source TCP or UDP port number.

Rights-of-Way - Legal rights of passage over land owned by another. Carriers and service providers must obtain rights-of-way to dig trenches or plant poles for cable systems, and to place wireless antennae.

Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) - A standard for optimizing the transmission of data over optical fiber ring networks

Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) - RARP is a protocol that can determine a device's MAC address using its IP address. See also Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

Router - A device used to connect several computers to each other as well as the Internet.

Rural Utility Service (RUS) - A division of the United States Department of Agriculture, it promotes universal service in unserved and underserved areas of the country with grants, loans, and financing.

Server - Hardware and software that provide network services to clients.

Straight-through cable - A type of Ethernet cable that connects a host to a switch, a host to a hub, or router to a switch or hub. See also crossover cable.

Streaming - A type of data transmission where certain elements are provided in sequence over time.

Subscribership - How many customers have subscribed for a particular telecommunications service.

Switch (network) - A device that is similar to a hub but also actively prevents data collisions from occurring.

Switched Network - A network that uses switches to increase speed and the number of separate hosts than can access it at once.

Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) - An ultra-high-speed, transmission standard developed for large-scale, fiber-optic networks.

T-1 - Trunk Level 1. A digital transmission link with a total signaling speed of 1.544 Mbps. It is a standard for digital transmission in North America.

T-3 - Trunk Level 3. 28 T1 lines or 44.736 Mbps.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) - A network protocol that enables two hosts to establish a connection and exchange data.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - The suite of protocols underlying the Internet.

Unbundled Network Elements (UNE) - Leased portions of a carrier's (typically an ILEC's) network used by another carrier to provide service to customers.

Universal Service - The idea of providing every home in the United States with basic telephone and data service.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) - Copper wiring used in small-to-large networks to connect host devices to hubs and switches.

Upstream - Data flowing from your computer to the Internet (sending E-mail, uploading a file).

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) - A communication protocol that sends a data unit or datagram from one computer to another without acknowledgments or delivery guarantees.

Very High Data Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) - A DSL technology providing faster data transmission over copper wires. These fast speeds mean that VDSL is capable of supporting high bandwidth applications, such as HDTV, along with telephone services and general Internet access over a single connection.

Video On Demand (VOD) - A service that allows users to remotely choose and watch a movie from a digital library and be able to pause, fast-forward, or even rewind their selection.

Virual Local Area Network (VLAN) - A network of computers that behave as if they are connected to the same wire even though they may actually be physically located on different segments of a LAN.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - A new technology that employs a data network (such as a broadband connection) to transmit voice conversations.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) - A technology that establishes a private or secure network connection within a public network, such as the Internet.

Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM) - A technology that allows multiple signals to be carried through a single optical fiber by using different wavelengths.

Wide Area Network (WAN) - A network that interconnects multiple computers or LANs that are physically spread out from each other.

WiMAX - Short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. A wireless technology that provides broadband connections over long distances using several transmission methods.

Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) - A database that links NetBIOS names to TCP/IP address.

Wireless - Telephone and data service transmitted via cellular, PCS, satellite, or other technologies that do not require a land-based line.

Wireless Internet - 1) Internet applications and access using mobile devices such as cell phones and palm devices. 2) Broadband Internet service provided via wireless connection, such as satellite or tower transmitters.

Wireline - Service based on infrastructure on or near the ground, such as copper telephone wires or coaxial cable underground or on telephone poles.