Your computer's RWIN, or Receive Window, is the main gatekeeper for receiving data sent to your computer, such as e-mail messages and downloaded pictures and files.  RWIN settings determine how much data your computer can receive at one time.  A sender may only send data to your computer in batches based on the size limits imposed by your RWIN settings and must wait for an acknowledgment from your computer before sending each new batch of data.  

Imagine that the RWIN is a bucket that can only hold a specified amount of data before it has to be emptied.  The sender can only send as much data as your computer's bucket can hold and then must wait for acknowledgment that the bucket is empty before sending more data.  If the bucket is too small, the sender has to spend a lot of time waiting for this acknowledgment before it can send more data.  With a bigger bucket (higher RWIN settings), your computer can receive larger chunks of data, resulting in fewer acknowledgments and allowing the sender to get data to you at a faster rate.

Increasing the size of your RWIN may help speed up your Internet connection. To adjust your RWIN settings for optimal FastAccess DSL connection speeds, use the BellSouth FastAccess DSL Connection Enhancements Tool at www.settings.bellsouth.net.