ZyXEL Communications ADSL VoIP IAD with 802.11g Wireless 2602HW Series - Manual (Page 43)

Prestige 2602HW Series User’s Guide
Introduction to DSL 43
Graphics Icons Key
Introduction to DSL
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology enhances the data capacity of the existing twisted-
pair wire that runs between the local telephone company switching offices and most homes
and offices. While the wire itself can handle higher frequencies, the telephone switching
equipment is designed to cut off signals above 4,000 Hz to filter noise off the voice line, but
now everybody is searching for ways to get more bandwidth to improve access to the Web -
hence DSL technologies.
There are actually seven types of DSL service, ranging in speeds from 16 Kbits/sec to 52
Mbits/sec. The services are either symmetrical (traffic flows at the same speed in both
directions), or asymmetrical (the downstream capacity is higher than the upstream capacity).
Asymmetrical services (ADSL) are suitable for Internet users because more information is
usually downloaded than uploaded. For example, a simple button click in a web browser can
start an extended download that includes graphics and text.
Prestige Computer Notebook Computer
Server Switch Router
Telephone DSLAM Trunking Gateway
Firewall Wireless Signal