A-F | G-L | M-R | S-Z

Terms A - F

Bandwidth

Unit used to measure the capacity of a communication channel or connection

Cable Modem

Device that assists in translating and routing high-speed transmission. This equipment is required for High Speed Data/Internet service.

Central Office (CO)

Local phone company hub in the neighborhood. The further a consumer is from the Central Office, the slower a DSL connection will become. This means that locations closer to the Central Office have higher speeds than outlying areas within the service boundary.

Computer Type

The recommended minimum system requirement for high speed internet is: Windows 98 or higher (for IBM compatible users) or MAC OS 9.0 or higher (for Mac users).

Connection Type

A Cable (for Cable Internet service only) or DSL (for DSL service only) Modem receives and translates high-speed transmissions to and from the Internet.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

Access the Internet through a telephone line. Both voice and data can be transmitted simultaneously, which means the customer can talk on the phone and access the internet using one phone line.

Download Speed

The rate at which information can be moved from the Web to the computer measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) or Kilobits per second (kbps). Best Effort download speed ranges between 3.0 M to 15.0 M (varies by provider). For DSL, Best effort download speed ranges between 256k to 1.5 Meg (varies by provider).

DSL Micro Filter

Micro filters block out the DSL signal from interfering with the regular telephone voice transmission.

DSL Modem

Assists in translating and routing high speed transmission. The provider will sell or lease modems to the customer. A modem receives and translates transmissions to and from the Internet.

Ethernet

Ethernet connects devices to a cable modem or DSL modem for Internet access.

Fast Access Filter

The AT &T FastAccess DSL Filter prevents the DSL signal from interfering with your other phone equipment. This filter allows you to connect your DSL modem and other phone equipment to the same phone jack.

Terms G - L

High Speed Data (HSD)

Access the Internet via a cable line, which can also supply the customer's video programming signal. Another name for HSD is High Speed Internet, or HSI

Internet

A public, cooperative, and self-sustaining worldwide system of computer networks accessible to hundreds of millions of people.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Company that gives consumers access to the Internet

IP Address

Computers use IP addresses to locate and talk to each other on the Internet, much the same way people use phone numbers to locate and talk to one another on the telephone.

Kbps

The abbreviation of Kilobits per second, which means a thousand bits; often abbreviated as "K" and pronounced "Kay"

Terms M - R

Mbps

The abbreviation of Megabits per second, which means a million bits; often abbreviated as "Meg".

Modem

Connects the computer to the Internet. A Cable Modem is used with Cable Internet connections while a DSL Modem is used with DSL Internet service.

Modem Options

There will be an additional modem charge (price varies by provider) which can be applied to the first bill or paid in installments (details vary by provider). If you are transferring your internet service, there is no modem charge and you can take all equipment (modem, cables, etc) to your new residence.

Modem Purchase Option - NR

Internet Providers may sell or lease modems for a one-time fee.

Network

Union created when two or more computers are connected together for resource sharing.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A network interface card (NIC) is a card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. Network interface cards provide a dedicated, full-time connection to a network.

Password

A unique combination of alpha and/or numeric symbols used as a code to gain access (login) to a specific locked system.

Professional Installation

Most Cable Internet is offered with a professional installation. Professional installation includes:

All the necessary equipment for installation and service set up
Typically cost $30 - $100
Additional charges may apply if house is not pre-wired ("unwired")
Most cable providers require that a person 18 years or older be present at the time of installation.
Some partners offer self install where the customer is mailed the necessary equipment.

Terms S - Z

Self Installation

Self-installation indicates that the provider will not come to the residence to connect the service. Most often, the equipment is sent via mail and additional shipping & handling charges may apply. The package includes all the necessary software and hardware to complete the installation.

Server

Computer or software package that provides specific kind of service to client software running on other computers.

Splitter

Allows for a telephone to be connected to the same telephone jack as the DSL modem.

Static IP Address

A static IP address is a number (in the form of a dotted quad) that is assigned to a computer by an Internet service provider to be its permanent address on the Internet.

Upload Speed

The rate at which information can be moved from the computer to the Web measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) or Kilobits per second (kbps). Best Effort upload speed ranges between 196k to 3.0 M (varies by provider). For DSL, Best effort upload speed ranges between 56k to 256k (varies by provider).

USB Port

The most common type of computer port used in today's computers. It can be used to connect such peripherals as keyboards, mice, printers, scanner, and digital cameras.

User Id

A unique combination of alpha and/or numeric symbols that identify a user on a specific system.