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.

Learn more about Network Administration

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

FILE EXTENSION AND FILE FORMAT LIST File Extension and File Format List: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

RELATED CONTENT 2010 predictions: What IT trends will affect network administrators? In what way will network administrators be affected by IT trends? This 2010 prediction podcast from our networking administration expert explains how... How do I set the Web page default on a network of computers without setting them all individually? Learn how to set a default for a network of computers if a group policy isn't working. Instead of setting each machine manually, learn what else you... What IP enables file sharing among multiple computers on different Internet connections? Learn how to enable file sharing among a group of computers, as well as computers within separate workgroups, that are using four different Internet...

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)