subnet mask (subnetting) A subnet mask is a 32- or 128-bit number that segments an existing IP address in a TCP/IP network and divides that address into discrete network and host addresses. The process of subnetting can further divide the host portion of an IP address into additional subnets to route traffic within the larger subnet. IP address binary bits that represent a network are represented by a 1 in the subnet mask, and bits that represent a host appear as 0s. In a binary mask, for ex...

Mbps (megabits per second) Megabits per second (Mbps) are a unit of measurement for bandwidth and throughput on a network. Each megabit is equal to 1 million bits. Mbps belongs to a family of metrics used to measure the capacity and speed of data transfer. The capacity smaller than Mbps is kilobits per second (Kbps), with the prefix kilo representing 1,000 bits per second, and higher than Mbps are gigabits per second (Gbps), with the prefix giga indicating 1 billion bits per second. Using th...

Net Neutrality Net Neutrality is the principle that data packets on the Internet should be moved impartially, without regard to content, destination or source. The Net Neutrality principle holds that wired and wireless internet service is a utility like gas, water, electricity and landline phone service; it should be available to everyone and subject to government regulation. The term came from "Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination," a paper written by Columbia Law School professor Tim ...

optical line terminal (OLT) An optical line terminal (OLT) is the endpoint hardware device in a passive optical network (PON). An OLT has two primary functions: Converting the standard signals used by a FiOS service provider to the frequency and framing used by the PON system. Coordinating the multiplexing between the conversion devices on the optical network terminals (ONTs) located on the customers' premises. The OLT contains a central processing unit (CPU), passive optical ne...