DSL modem

A device used to connect a single computer or a network to a telephone company digital subscriber line (DSL) service for Internet access. DSL is faster than analog dial-up but significantly slower than cable service. Download speeds have reached 10 Mbps and beyond, but the connection is asynchronous. In order to prevent users with low-cost DSL access from hosting high-traffic Web servers, the upload speed is generally much slower than the download speed. Like cable Internet providers, telephone companies may routinely change the user's IP address to prevent Web hosting (see DDNS). See DSL.

Connect Via Ethernet or USB
DSL modems typically connect to the computer or router via Ethernet; however, some DSL modems connect to one computer via USB. In addition, the DSL modem is often combined with the router (see cable/DSL gateway). See DSL and cable/DSL gateway.

DSL Modem and Wireless Router

This Qwest DSL modem includes a wireless router. After installation, users can connect their computers to the Internet via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. See wireless router.