Jargon Buster

What is ADSL?
Router
Ethernet
Microfilter
Contention Ratio
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Included Transfer
Web Content Filtering
Email Addresses
Spam and Virus Filtering
Web Mail
Non Commercial Webspace
Static IP Address
0845 Dialup Access
Central Firewall Protection
Re-grade

What is ADSL?
ADSL is an always on, fast internet technology. Making use of your current BT phone line, you are able to "surf" the internet at the same time as making normal phone calls. ADSL is normally charged at a flat monthly fee no matter how long you are connected to the internet.

Router
If you choose to purchase a setup package that includes the equipment we will provide a pre-configured router. A router is a stand alone device that can connect to the internet without your computer needing to be switched on. You can then connect your computer(s) to the router via either USB or Ethernet (also known as 10/100 or RJ45 cable)

Ethernet
Many new computers and laptops come with built in ethernet cards, often referred to as 10/100 or the connector type called an RJ45. Our routers fully support Ethernet connections and this would be our recommended way to connect your computer to the router.

Microfilter
A microfilter enables a standard BT analogue phone line to handle both ADSL Broadband traffic and voice calls at the same time. A microfilter is needed for each physical phone that is connected to the ADSL Broadband activated line.

Contention Ratio
This is the number of other broadband customers that share the capacity at your local BT exchange with you.

Download Speed
This is the maximum speed you will be able to download using our service. The actual speed will depend on the number of users in your locality using ADSL at the same time as you, the capacity of the place you are downloading from (if it is a popular site, you may not be able to download at the maximum connection speed) and the speed of your computer.

Upload Speed
This is the speed at which you can send data from your computer.

Included Transfer
To keep retail costs of ADSL broadband as low as possible most ISPs (Internet Service Providers) have introduced a monthly data transfer limit (depending on which package option you choose). It is often difficult to choose the right amount of transfer to choose per month. Here are some examples:-

3Gb (3 Gigabytes or 3072 Megabytes)
Over 3000 music files from iTunes.com
Over 31,000 average sized emails (including attachments)
25 Hours of high quality internet TV
111 Hours of internet radio

20Gb (20 Gigabytes or 20480 Megabytes)
Over 20,000 music files from iTunes.com
Over 200,000 average sized emails (including attachments)
175 Hours of high quality internet TV
777 Hours of internet radio

Web Content Filtering
The internet is a great place to find resources, but you can sometimes find information you never wished you had! Our servers restrict access to undesirable content as standard in the following categories:- Race/Hate, Violence, Pornography, Gambiling, Alcohol and Adult Content. With no software to install on your computer, RedShieldNet provide a unique service helping to make the internet a safe place.

Email Addresses
With each ADSL connection you are provided several email addresses. These take the form of yourchoice@redshieldnet.com so for example you may choose something like jsmith@redshieldnet.com You will also be able to set up additional accounts (or buy more if you run out) for other people using your connection.

Spam and Virus Filtering
Unsolicited email and viruses are on the increase. Using market leading technology, RedShieldNet is able to vastly reduce nuisance email, along with almost completely removing the risk of receiving email carried viruses.

Web Mail
Access your email on the move from any internet ready PC. All you need is a web browser and you can send and receive email, while away from your computer.

Non Commercial Webspace
Publish your own family or organisation's website in the free non commercial space that we offer with each connection.

Static IP Address
An IP address identifies your computer to the internet. Most home users do not need a static IP address (an address that does not change). If you are using this connection to host an email server, or to allow access to files on your computers from the internet, then you will need a static IP address.

0845 Dialup Access
From time to time you may need to make a connection to the internet from a laptop or computer when you are away from your ADSL Broadband connection. We can provide as many pay-as-you-go dialup accounts as you need, to help you while you are on the move.

Central Firewall Protection
Our central firewalls help protect your computers connected to our ADSL Broadband service from malicious intent from other users on the internet.

Re-grade
A re-grade occurs if you choose to change the package you are on. For example move from a Value to a Connect package.