Broadband Glossary
ADSLAsymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL is an asymmetric service which means that the information is coming down to the user from the Internet at a faster speed than going from the customer's PC to the Internet. ADSL is ideal for residential users and is generally the flavor of DSL that the local telephone companies sell. ADSL is not suited for business use even though some providers try to sell it as a business product. As well, ADSL is not suited for hosting Web or e-mail servers. ADSL uses a bridge which provides little to no security, making your network vulnerable to attacks. Because TransEdge is a business focused Internet Service Provider, we do not offer ADSL.
Aggregation
The collection of several channels or streams of data which are combined into one high-speed connection.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A high-speed method for transferring voice, video and data.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can flow through a given communications channel. The greater the bandwidth, the more data can travel through the channel.
Bridge
A device that connects two local-area networks (LANs), or handles data between a users computer and the Internet. Bridges are most commonly used by the phone companies to support their ADSL
service.
Central Office (CO)
Central Office. The location where the TransEdge DSLAM's reside.
CPE
Customer Premises Equipment. CPE refers to equipment that resides at the customer's location (example: a router). TransEdge provides the CPE for your DSL service (a DSL router).
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to computers on a network or on the Internet. With dynamic IP addressing, a device can have a different IP
address every time it connects to the network or to the Internet. Some telephone companies use dynamic IP addressing for their DSL services. With dynamic IP addressing you cannot host a Web or
e-mail server. TransEdge uses static IP addressing which allows you to host Web and e-mail servers, and even participate in video conferencing.
Dial-up
A connection using a modem and a standard telephone line to connect to the Internet. With dial-up service you must dial-up to connect to the Internet. Dial-up users must also deal with busy
signals and dropped connections. With TransEdge DSL solutions you won't ever have to dial-up to the Internet, experience busy signals, or dropped connections - you will have a reliable always-on
connection.
DNS
Domain Name System/Service translates domain names (www.transedge.com) into IP addresses (198.105.232.4).
Domain name server
A server used for assigning text addresses (such as www.transedge.com) for specific computers and computer accounts on the Internet.
Downstream
The direction of data flow on a data communications link, which occurs from the Internet down to the user.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line. A technology that delivers high-speed data connections from the Central Office (CO) to the customer's location over existing copper wires.
DSLAM
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer. A piece of equipment located in the Central Office (CO) that assists in providing DSL to the customer.
Dynamic IP addressing
When an IP address is assigned to the user for the current session (Example: A current session would start when a user opens up the Internet application and is connected to the Internet and
would end when the user ended the Internet application). Many telephone companies use dynamic IP addressing with their ADSL solutions. With dynamic IP addressing you are unable to host Web or
e-mail servers or even participate in video conferencing.
Firewall
A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. TransEdge SDSL routers come with firewall software that protect your network from outside attacks.
IDSL
IDSL is a symmetric service that provides DSL technology over existing copper telephone lines. IDSL is an always-on connection and is billed at a flat monthly fee. TransEdge IDSL comes with a
routing solution which includes firewall software that protects your network from outside attacks.
IP
Internet Protocol. The main protocol that forms the basis of communication on the Internet.
IP address
Internet Protocol Address. A notation used to represent an IP address (Example: 1.160.10.240).
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network. An international communications standard for sending voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines. ISDN supports a data transfer rate of 128 Kbps.
Unfortunately, with ISDN you experience call set-up delays and can be faced with huge monthly bills because ISDN usage is based on per minute fees. TransEdge IDSL has comparable speeds, but you
pay only a flat monthly fee. Consequently, you are free to use the connection without having to worry about additional charges.
LAN
Local Area Network. A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building or group of buildings.
Local loop
The copper line between a customer's premises and a Central Office (CO). DSL is added to the local loop, turning copper wire into a high-speed data link.
Mbps
Million bits per second. A measure of how fast data is transported.
NAT
Network Address Translation is an Internet standard that enables local area networks (LAN) to use one set of IP addresses for internal traffic and a second set of addresses for external traffic.
PVC
Permanent Virtual Circuit. A PVC is a virtual circuit that is permanently available.
Router
A device that securely handles data between the user's computer and the Internet.
SDSL
Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line is a symmetric service - the upstream speed is the same as the downstream speed. SDSL can deliver high-speed data communications at up to 1.54 Mbps. SDSL is a
true business class product. SDSL has symmetrical speeds that make it possible to host Web or e-mail servers, even perform video conferencing and e-commerce. TransEdge SDSL comes with a router
which has firewall software that builds a barrier between your network and computer hackers. TransEdge SDSL also comes with a service level agreement that guarantees a specified level of speed
and network uptime.
Static IP addressing
An assigned IP address is used to connect to a network or the Internet. A static IP address comes with TransEdge DSL service which allows you to host Web or e-mail servers. With a static IP
address businesses can also participate in video conferencing.
Upstream
When a user sends information from a computer to the Internet (such as sending an e-mail). The faster the upstream speed, the faster data can move from your local network or PC to the Internet.
VPN
Virtual Private Network. A technology that lets the user create a connection through the Internet that is private and secure.
Web hosting
A service performed by TransEdge where businesses can house their Web sites with TransEdge. TransEdge will manage the site and ensure security.