CPE (Customer-premises equipment) is any equipment in your house, apartment building, or office connected to the carrier's or ISP's internet or telephone connection. CPE can include telephones, DSL modems, or set-top boxes.

A way to block or allow internet content (files, videos, etc.) based on its attributes. Widely used for email filtering.

A way to access television content over the internet. Video-on-demand is a service that involves broadband television.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. This technology moves data (files, videos, email, etc.) quickly over telephone lines. ADSL2 and ADSL2+ are newer variants, and provide even

A type of security that keeps unwanted visitors from using your wireless network. As a newer security type, it's stronger than previous types of wireless security, such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).

A type of security or protection for your home network that prevents an outsider from damaging or disabling your internet connection.

This term usually refers to a residence that is fully automated. All devices run on the same system, and everything from control of house lights to thermostats can be controlled by computer.

A part of your computer network that features no security and is exposed to the Internet. DMZ services often include servers that host web sites or email clients.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a a group of technologies that make it easy to send data (files, videos, etc.) over telephone lines. The most popular version is ADSL (see entry under "ADSL").

A combined internet, telephone, and television service offered by Verizon. FiOS stands for Fiber Optic Service.

The television arm of Verizon FiOS that includes high-definition programming, on-demand video services, and international channels.

A collection of security software running on a computer or router/gateway designed to prevent unwanted persons from accessing your network.

A type of hacker attack in which malicious software (framented packets) is sent to your network resulting in a disable router.

Fiber to the Home. Indicates that optical fiber lines have replaced copper lines for data transmission from the carrier's or ISP's central office to the customer's home. Fiber optic lines transmit data much faster and in greater quantities than copper lines.

A way to connect devices (computers, printers, set-top boxes, etc.) within a home. These devices can then share files and/or an internet connection.

Also known as power line networking, this is a type of networking that uses the existing power lines of a home or building.

Home Phoneline Networking Alliance. A non-profit association of industry partners dedicated to developing and standardizing technology for home networking over existing coaxial cables and phone wires inside the home.

Internet Group Management Protocol multicasting. A method used to manage the delivery of electronic files to a group of destinations simultaneously.

A security feature that monitors network activity for malicious or unwanted behaviors.

Internet Protocol Television. A system for receiving digital television content using the Internet over a broadband connection.

Media Access Control address filtering. A type of security that uses the unique MAC addresses of every device on a network to allow or deny internet services.

Multimedia over Coax Alliance. An industry group that develops home networking specifications over in-home coaxial cable.

A type of router that is expandable via plug-in components. Additional components may include wireless networking or port expansion.

Multiple Service Set Identifier. An SSID is the name of a wireless network. Some routers can create and manage more than one wireless network, handling multiple SSIDs.

Network Address Translation. Allows devices on a network to obtain a private IP address.

A modem that can handle pair-bonded DSL service, in which two DSL connections are combined into one cable to double the speed and bandwidth of the service.

Also known as content-control software, this is a method to control and observe what kind of content is available to a certain device on a network (usually a computer).

A type of attack on a computer that involves sending a malicious ping (a network tool that measures network speed).

Quality of Service. A method by which a user can control what kind of data (files, video, voice) coming into a network is most important, and therefore uses more bandwidth.

Remote Authentication Dial In User Service server. A security method used to authenticate network users.

Allows users to log into and operate a computer from another computer in a different location.

An inexpensive network device for the home that usually incorporates an Internet connection and networking capabilities.

A type of firewall that keeps track of the state of network connections traveling across it.

The ability of a router or gateway to use both the ADSL and VDSL  protocols.

Very High Bitrate DSL. A DSL technology that provides very fast data transmission over regular phone wires. VDSL2 is also available.

Virtual Local Area Network. A network created as if the devices connected to it are physically close together, although they may be very far apart.

Virtual Private Network. A networking method in which a private (closed) network can be created between devices connected over open connections (such as the Internet).

Wired Equivalent Privacy. A wireless networking security method.

WiFi Protected Setup. A wireless networking security method, easier to set up and more secure than older methods such as WEP.

The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the network name shared among all devices on a particular wireless network.  The SSID must be identical for all devices on the wireless network, is case-sensitive and cannot exceed 32 characters.

WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access and is a security protocol similar to WEP that encrypts the wireless traffic protecting it against "snooping" or "eavesdropping".  WPA2 is the latest standard and is often recommended as the wireless security method of choice.