What are ISDN and T1 connections?
Are
broadband connections secure?
Should I get Cable or DSL?
How is a cable or DSL modem connected to a computer?
Can I connect more than one computer to a cable modem?
Do Broadband Modems work with Apple Macintosh computers?
How do I sign up for Broadband service?
Broadband, in terms relating to the internet is a wide term representing all connections to the world wide web that are faster than standard 28.8kbps and 56kbps modems. Broadband connections include but are not limited to connecting your computer to the internet via DSL, Cable, ISDN, T1, T3, or Satellite connections. These alternate methods allow you the user to surf the net and download files and streaming media at speeds ranging from 2 to 100 times faster than a conventional 56kbps modem. Broadband connections are typically "always on" which means that your computer is always connected to the internet and there is no need to dial in to your ISP.
Note: Currently the 2 most affordable and widely used broadband connections for home users are DSL and Cable connections.
DSL stands for "Digital Subscriber Line". It uses existing telephone lines and provides each user with a dedicated connection to your phone companies central office, where the actual connection to the Internet occurs.
Most DSL providers guarantee a minimum speed of 384kbps but often the connection will go as high as 1500kbps. The distance between you and the phone companies central office will affect the speed.
DSL does not prevent you from making or receiving phone calls while you are connected to the Internet. Your existing copper telephone lines are made up of high and low bandwidth channels. The lower bandwidth channel carries your voice communication (telephone), which leaves the higher bandwidth channel available for two-way high-speed data transmission utilizing DSL technology. Therefore, you can talk on the phone at the same time you are accessing the Internet at DSL Speed, and do not need an extra phone line.
DSL subscriptions generally run from $30 to $80 a month.
Cable internet connections use standard TV cable to connect your computer to the internet. Each user has a shared connection along with the other users in their local neighborhood. Cable connections can run up to speeds of 10000kbps, thus making it the fastest internet connection widely available for home users. This speed will diminish as other people in your neighborhood use the internet simultaneously.
Cable subscriptions generally run from $30 to $50 a month.
Cable Internet connections do not interfere with your TV cable connection.
Satellites beam data to your PC via transmission from space. You receive it on a disk like the one used for satellite TV. Top download speeds are usually around 400kbps. One of few advantages of Satellite connections is that you can live virtually anywhere and use the service, unlike Cable and DSL which is still not available in some rural areas. You can only download with the satellite service, and still must be connected to a phone line to upload, or send commands and e-mail to the internet.
Satellite subscriptions usually cost around $300-$800 to install and
$20/month for 25 hours.
What are ISDN and T1 connections?
ISDN is a dedicated straight line from you to the phone company. It is
expensive to install and has a top download speed of 128kbps. T1 connections
are also dedicated connections to the phone company and are very fast,
up to 45kbps, but very expensive and primarily for high-end business users.
Are broadband connections secure?
Both Cable and ADSL modems are vulnerable to the network settings for file- and printer-sharing on your Windows or Macintosh computers. To keep hackers out of your files, be sure to disable those settings before connecting your cable or DSL modem. If you plan to use those functions, install a router or Internet-sharing device with a firewall between the cable modem and your local area network (LAN).
ADSL provides a dedicated service over a single telephone
line; cable modems offer a dedicated service over a shared cable line.
While cable modems have greater download speed capabilities (up to 30
Mbps), that bandwidth is shared among all users on a line, and will therefore
vary dramatically as more users in a neighborhood get online at the same
time. Another problem of cable modems is security.
There are still some cable modem systems in existence that do not encrypt/filter
traffic within the local cable loop. In this case, you will be able to
spy on all the internet usage by your neighbors, and they will be able
spy on your internet activities.
DSL can tend to be more expensive, and the speed will vary depending on
your distance from the telephone company switch. We would recommend DSL
for users looking for the utmost privacy while viewing adult content.
How is a cable or DSL modem connected
to a computer?
A cable/DSL modem connects to a computer through a standard 10Base-T Ethernet wire which is run from the cable modem to an Ethernet card installed in your computer. New modem products under development also offer a Universal Serial Bus (USB) option. If you have a USB port on your computer, you can connect a cable modem without installing an Ethernet card.
Can I connect more than one computer
to a cable modem?
Yes. Visit our full list of broadband sites offering
fully detailed instructions here.
Do Broadband Modems work with Apple Macintosh computers?
Yes.
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