Introduction; What Is Adsl; What I Adsl? - D-Link DSL-200 User Manual

DSL-200 ADSL USB Modem User's Guide
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NTRODUCTION
ADSL modem technology is a relatively new technology and may be unfamiliar to the
reader. In this section, we introduce you to ADSL technology and give a brief
description of its key attributes. We also give a general description of the D-Link
DSL-200 USB Modem and its main features.

What is ADSL?

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is an access technology that utilizes
ordinary copper telephone lines to enable broadband high-speed digital data
transmission and interactive multimedia applications for business and residential
customers. Using existing phone lines avoids the need for adding expensive new cable.
ADSL modems use digital coding techniques that greatly increase the bandwidth
capacity of telephone lines without interfering with regular telephone services. For the
ADSL modem user, this means much faster data communications. ADSL modems make
it possible to enjoy benefits such as high-speed Internet access, telecommuting,
collaborative computing, distance learning, movies on demand and multi-player video
gaming without experiencing any loss of quality or disruption of voice/fax telephone
capabilities.
ADSL provides a dedicated service over a single telephone line operating at speeds of up
to 8 Mbps downstream (to the user) and up to 640 Kbps upstream, depending on the
type of service and local telephone line conditions. These conditions are ideal for many
user applications. A secure point-to-point connection is established between the user
and the central office of the local telephone company. The user is always connected,
thus eliminating dial-up time and simplifying connectivity issues.
D-Link ADSL devices incorporate the recommendations of the ADSL Forum
(www.adsl.com) regarding framing, data format, and upper layer protocols.
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