3Com HomeConnect 3CP4130 User Manual page 41

Bridging Mode
Getting Started
Using your modem
Advanced Operations
General Information
Troubleshooting
FAQs
Glossary
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
A new technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone
lines (POTS or "Plain Old Telephone Service"). ADSL is more than 275 times
faster than a 28.8 modem and up to 4 times faster than a T1 connection. That's
really, really fast. DSL (ADSL, SDSL) technology uses your ordinary phone line
but doesn't tie it up. You can access the Internet while you are telephoning or
faxing. ADSL requires a special ADSL modem which allows your PC to connect
to a remote site using a network protocol such as IP or IPX. Your HomeConnect
ADSL Modem Dual Link contains one ADSL modem port, which is the WAN
(Wide Area Network) interface. ADSL service runs between your home and your
service provider, who then uses ATM technology to speed communications to
more distant points.
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
A network technology based on transferring data in small cells or packets of a
fixed size. The small cell size allows ATM equipment to transmit video, audio,
and computer data over the same network without any type of data consuming the
entire capacity of the line. ATM differs from TCP/IP, where message packets take
different routes from source to endpoint. ATM defines connections by two main
parameters: Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI).
VPI and VCI are defined in this Glossary. Your service provider will tell you
what VPI and VCI values you must use in your Dual Link in order to properly
connect to their service.
Bridging, Bridged
In networking, bridging is the process of moving a packet (or piece) of data from
source to destination. A bridge is a mechanism which forwards packets between
different networks based on hardware-level addresses. Your HomeConnect
modem automatically maintains a forwarding table that contains information
needed to correctly route data, so you don't need to manually add or delete entries
as your home network configuration changes.
Connector (or Jack)
The part of a cable that plugs into a port or interface to connect one device to
another.
Console Port
The console port on your Dual Link can be matched to the Com port (Com1,
Com2...) on your computer using the DB-9 serial cable provided. On the ADSL