To transmit a file over a network. In a communications session, "download" and "upload" imply a big/little scenario, in which data are being downloaded from the "big" server into the user's "little" computer. Uploading sends data from the little computer to the big computer.
The time it takes to download data depends on file size and network speed. Via analog dial-up modems, Web pages take a few seconds, but a 20MB video file can take an hour. Downloading over DSL or cable can be from 15 to 400 times faster. Downloading from a file server on a local area network (LAN) can be even faster.
From the Internet
Downloading images, articles, reports and applications from the Internet has become a snap with "Click Here" messages on Web pages. The only thing users need to be aware of is what folders on the hard disk the downloaded files are being saved in. If the download is an application that must be installed, the installer is usually run immediately and then automatically discarded. See download protocol and client download.
From the Local LAN
On a network server in a company LAN, sharable files are placed in public folders that can be downloaded using the file management procedures of the operating system. For example, in a Windows LAN, My Network Places or Network Neighborhood can be explored to locate sharable files by computer name, drive letter, folder and file name.
Download to Your iPod
Transferring files from your computer to your digital music player is not a network download; it is actually a copy function between peers (the music player is just another storage drive). However, the term "download" is still used.
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