cable modem
<communications, hardware> A type of modem that allows people to access the Internet via their cable television service. A cable modem can transfer data at 500 kbps or higher, compared with 28.8 kbps for common telephone line modems, but the actual transfer rates may be lower depending on the number of other simultaneous users on the same cable. Industry pundits often point out that the cable system still does not have the bandwidth or service level in many areas to make this feasible. For example, it has to be capable of two-way communication. See also: DOCSIS. (2000-12-19) | ||||
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Cable modem definition was found in categories: Computer & Internet(3) Business & Finance(1) Encyclopedia(1)
Cable modem Definition from Computer & Internet Dictionaries & Glossaries
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Cable Modem
Device connected to your computer that enables you to receive and request information from the Internet over your local cable TV line. The bandwidth of a cable modem far exceeds the bandwidth of the 28.8 Kbps , ISDN or ADSL modems.
Device connected to your computer that enables you to receive and request information from the Internet over your local cable TV line. The bandwidth of a cable modem far exceeds the bandwidth of the 28.8 Kbps , ISDN or ADSL modems.
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CABLE MODEM
Atype of modem that allows people to access the Internet via their cable television service.A cable modem can transfer data at 500kbps or higher rates.
Atype of modem that allows people to access the Internet via their cable television service.A cable modem can transfer data at 500kbps or higher rates.
| Glossary of Computer and Internet Terms |
Cable Modem
Though a cable modem serves the same purpose as a typical analog modem, a cable modem is different in many ways. The biggest difference is that a cable modem is much faster. While a 56K modem can receive data at about 53 Kbps, a cable modem can haul it in at about 1.5 Mbps. That's about 30 times faster. Though the actual Internet bandwidth over a cable TV line is up to 27 Mbps for downstream to the subscriber and about 2.5 Mbps upstream, since the local provider may only have a T1 connection, which maxes out at 1.5 Mpbs, that will be the maximum transfer rate for the suscriber. Also, a cable modem doesn't hook up to a phone line; it connects to a local cable TV line, hence the term "cable modem". This allows computers equipped with a cable modem to have a continuous connection to the Internet. No dialing the ISP everytime you want to check your e-mail. Cable modems, which have a much more complex design than telephone modems are usually external devices, but they can be integrated within a computer or set-top box. Finally, instead of connecting to a serial port, cable modems attach to a standard Ethernet card so that they can transfer data at the fastest speed possible. The way the cable modem system works is pretty complex. All cable modems are attached to a coaxial cable line owned by some cable TV company where they connect to the company's Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). Cable modems connected to the main line can receive from and send signals only to the CMTS, not to other cable modems on the line. In some cases, upstream signals are returned by telephone rather than the cable line, in which case the cable modem is known as a telco-return cable modem. It just makes so much sense, doesn't it. Currently, the largest cable modem company is At Home.
Though a cable modem serves the same purpose as a typical analog modem, a cable modem is different in many ways. The biggest difference is that a cable modem is much faster. While a 56K modem can receive data at about 53 Kbps, a cable modem can haul it in at about 1.5 Mbps. That's about 30 times faster. Though the actual Internet bandwidth over a cable TV line is up to 27 Mbps for downstream to the subscriber and about 2.5 Mbps upstream, since the local provider may only have a T1 connection, which maxes out at 1.5 Mpbs, that will be the maximum transfer rate for the suscriber. Also, a cable modem doesn't hook up to a phone line; it connects to a local cable TV line, hence the term "cable modem". This allows computers equipped with a cable modem to have a continuous connection to the Internet. No dialing the ISP everytime you want to check your e-mail. Cable modems, which have a much more complex design than telephone modems are usually external devices, but they can be integrated within a computer or set-top box. Finally, instead of connecting to a serial port, cable modems attach to a standard Ethernet card so that they can transfer data at the fastest speed possible. The way the cable modem system works is pretty complex. All cable modems are attached to a coaxial cable line owned by some cable TV company where they connect to the company's Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). Cable modems connected to the main line can receive from and send signals only to the CMTS, not to other cable modems on the line. In some cases, upstream signals are returned by telephone rather than the cable line, in which case the cable modem is known as a telco-return cable modem. It just makes so much sense, doesn't it. Currently, the largest cable modem company is At Home.
Cable modem Definition from Business & Finance Dictionaries & Glossaries
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cable modem
Computer modem that connects a user to the Internet over cable television lines instead of telephone wires. See also broadband and modem. Contrast with DSL.
Computer modem that connects a user to the Internet over cable television lines instead of telephone wires. See also broadband and modem. Contrast with DSL.
Cable modem Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia |
Cable modem
A cable modem is a type of modem that provides access to a data signal sent over the cable television infrastructure. Cable modems are primarily used to deliver broadband Internet access, taking advantage of unused bandwidth on a cable television network. They are commonly found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and USA. In USA alone there were 22.5 million cable modem users during Q1 2005, up from 17.4 million in Q1 2004.
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