downstream

1) In telecommunications generally, a transmission from an information server toward an end user is referred to as downstream and a transmission toward the server is referred to as upstream. In some transmission technologies, such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), the rates of data transfer upstream and downstream are not the same. In DSL, downstream data rates are higher since the kind of information that needs to get to the user (including still and video images and sound) requires a higher data rate. User responses back to the computer on the upstream path can be smaller since they are usually text-only.

2) In a Token Ring network, a computer station is downstream from any station through which the token on the ring has already passed.

3) In CATV, a downstream channel is one used to transmit signals from the headend to the user. An upstream channel is one in another frequency band that is used to send signals from the user back to the headend.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT What does a subnet do? Learn about the role of the subnet in a network, including switching and packet recognition. IT career training, experience can help you shine in salary talks For those looking to advance, the best IT jobs require the right experience, along with a healthy dose of salesmanship. TCO calculations can fall short when budgeting network expenses Networking professionals often miscalculate or misuse total cost of ownership (TCO) metrics, causing frustration while delivering little real value.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary availability  (SearchNetworking.com) 1) In a telephone circuit, availability is the ratio between the time during which the circuit is operational and elapsed time. 2) In a network... carrier detect  (SearchNetworking.com)