In plain English
It means there is a live connection to a network, so information can move both ways. The service or device is not just turned on; it can communicate through that network.
In context
Here, online reports that the service or device currently is connected to a network and can exchange data through it.
- Situation
- Installing broadband, activating service, using routers, and reading connection status
- What it communicates
- reports that the shown service or device currently has working network access.
Meaning limits
By itself, online does not say how fast or stable the network connection is.
Examples
“The printer was powered on but not online.”
“After the network cable was reattached, the scanner came online.”