September 2005

  • 10BASE-2

    10BASE-2, one of several physical media specified by IEEE 802.3 for use in an Ethernet local area network (LAN), consists of Thinwire coaxial cable with a maximum segment length of 185 meters.21 Sep 2005

  • DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)

    DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is the independent research branch of the U.S. Department of Defense that funded a project that in time was to lead to the creation of the Internet.21 Sep 2005

  • DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications)

    Now known as CableLabs Certified Cable Modems, DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) is a standard interface for cable modems, the devices that handle incoming and outgoing data...21 Sep 2005

  • Primary Rate Interface (PRI)

    In the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), there are two levels of service: the Basic Rate Interface (BRI), intended for the home and small enterprise, and the Primary Rate Interface (PRI),...21 Sep 2005

  • symmetric communications

    Compare asymmetric communications.21 Sep 2005

  • peer-to-peer

    Peer-to-peer is a communications model in which each party has the same capabilities and either party can initiate a communication session.21 Sep 2005

  • phase-shift keying (PSK)

    Phase-shift keying (PSK) is a method of digital communication in which the phase of a transmitted signal is varied to convey information.21 Sep 2005

  • ACTA (America's Carriers Telecommunications Association)

    ACTA (America's Carriers Telecommunications Association) is a lobbying organization for over 165 small long-distance telephone carrier companies.21 Sep 2005

  • softswitch

    Softswitch (software switch) is a generic term for any open application program interface (API) software used to bridge a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Voice over Internet Protocol (...21 Sep 2005

  • dynamic and static

    In general, dynamic means energetic, capable of action and/or change, or forceful, while static means stationary or fixed.21 Sep 2005

  • value-added network (VAN)

    A value-added network (VAN) is a private network provider (sometimes called a turnkey communications line) that is hired by a company to facilitate electronic data interchange (EDI) or provide othe...21 Sep 2005

  • small form-factor pluggable (SFP)

    Small form-factor pluggable (SFP) is a specification for a new generation of optical modular transceivers.21 Sep 2005

  • small form factor (SFF)

    Small form factor (SFF) refers to any of several physically compact connector designs that have been developed for use in fiber optic systems.21 Sep 2005

  • multiplexing

    Multiplexing is sending multiple signals or streams of information on a carrier at the same time in the form of a single, complex signal and then recovering the separate signals at the receiving end.21 Sep 2005

  • metropolitan area network (MAN)

    A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but ...21 Sep 2005

  • hybrid fiber coaxial network (HFC network)

    A hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network is a telecommunication technology in which optical fiber cable and coaxial cable are used in different portions of a network to carry broadband content (such as...21 Sep 2005

  • infranet

    The infranet is a proposed universal, public, packet-switched supplement to the Internet for businesses and high-demand private users that would provide guaranteed security, reliability, and qualit...21 Sep 2005

  • moonbounce or Earth-Moon-Earth (EME)

    Moonbounce, also called Earth-Moon-Earth (EME), is a form of wireless communication in which the moon is used as a passive satellite.21 Sep 2005

  • Basic Rate Interface (BRI)

    In the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), there are two levels of service: the Basic Rate Interface (BRI), intended for the home and small enterprise, and the Primary Rate Interface (PRI),...21 Sep 2005

  • gigahertz (GHz)

    The gigahertz, abbreviated GHz, is a unit of alternating current (AC) or electromagnetic (EM) wave frequency equal to one thousand million hertz (1,000,000,000 Hz).21 Sep 2005