And today we will look at devices with which we can access the Internet.
Methods for connecting to the Internet
First, let's look at the most common ways to connect to the Internet:
1. Local computer network or Ethernet(sometimes called fixed Internet access);
2. Via telephone line(ADSL and Dial-Up);
3. Mobile access(GPRS, EDGE, 3G);
4. Via cable TV(DOCSIS).
Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Conclusion
In this lesson we looked at the main devices for connecting to the Internet. I didn’t touch on satellite Internet and other, more exotic options, so as not to overload you with specific information (it’s a big lesson anyway).
If there are any unclear points or additional questions, write in the comments, we will try to figure it out.
Let me remind you about the opportunity to receive news about the latest IT lessons to myself on email . To do this, follow this link and then confirm your subscription in the email you received.
Copying prohibited
The Internet has long become not only the norm, but even a necessity in our lives. A lot of things depend on the use of the World Wide Web. But it is impossible to connect to it by simply plugging the cord into an outlet. Let's look at what types of Internet connections exist.
Over time, outdated Internet technologies are replaced by more advanced ones
Cable connection
Twisted pair and optical cable
This is the most popular connection type. A cable is installed in your apartment or office through which the Internet signal is received. There are two connection options: twisted pair and optical cable.
In the first case, a high-bandwidth fiber optic cable is installed from the service provider to the house or distribution box, and a twisted pair cable is installed into the apartment itself, which is a copper wire with a specially crimped end that is plugged into a computer or router. The connection speed in this case most often does not exceed 100 Mbit/s.
In the second case, an optical cable is installed in the home and connected to a distribution device. Among its advantages are much higher speeds, up to 1 Gbit/sec. Using this cable you can simultaneously receive Internet, telephone and television services - that is, one cable instead of three. Cable connection has two options for organizing a network: local and virtual.
The local network
The essence local network is that the provider assigns you a separate IP address. All computers, by and large, form a large network that has access to the Internet through a provider. There is access with dynamic and static IP.
Dynamic IP
This is the easiest type of communication for you. All settings for each connection are assigned by the provider, and you do not need to configure anything additional. You simply plug the cable into your computer or router and start using the Internet.
Static IP
With this type, the user needs to enter into the settings of the network card or router the parameters that are issued by the provider and which are unchanged during each communication session. This is quite convenient for online services that ask you for a permanent IP address. You can find out the type of connection in the provider’s technical support, on the service provider’s website, or in the contract. When using a router, most models can detect the connection type automatically.
Virtual VPN
VPN stands for “virtual private network.” This technology encrypts data exchange between the subscriber's computer and the provider's server, significantly increasing security.
The most popular type of VPN connection. To use you only need to know your login and password. The Windows operating system treats this connection as a broadband dialing connection.
L2TP/PPTP
Less popular types VPN connections. In addition to your login and password, you need to find out the server address provided by your telecom operator. The difference between them is only in the encryption method, which is selected in the additional connection settings. The most famous provider working with this standard is Beeline.
Combined connection
Combines several types of connections for accessing the Internet and provider resources. VPN is used as the main connection type, dynamic or static IP - as an additional one. The difference between them is the manual entry of a local address or its automatic determination. This connection is considered the most complex and is therefore rarely used. You can find out the parameters from the technical support of a specific service provider.
Phone line
Despite the fact that in Lately Cable connections dominate; in many areas it is not economically feasible to run a separate Internet line. In this case, it helps to have a telephone line; you can only connect to the Internet through it. There are two types of connection: ADSL and Dial-Up.
ADSL
Modern standards provide access to the Internet at speeds of several tens of megabits, which is quite enough for most tasks. The bottom line is that with the help of a splitter the signal is divided into different frequencies: low - for voice communication, high - for the Internet. Accordingly, you can make calls and use the Internet at the same time.
A modem is used to organize communication. The connection diagram is quite simple: the telephone cable, which is brought into the room, is connected to the splitter, and the home telephone and ADSL modem are connected to it in the corresponding connectors.
Dial-Up
This type of connection has come to us since the nineties of the last century. It is very outdated, since when used, the telephone line remains busy, and the average speed is about 56 kilobits. By today's standards this is very little. However, in some areas this type of connection is sometimes used.
It works as follows: the modem is connected to the telephone line and to the computer, and the modem pool number is added to its settings. The modem calls this number, and after the connection is established, the subscription gives you access to the Internet.
TV cable DOCSIS
This type of connection provides Internet via television cable. Undoubtedly, it is much more convenient to pay for the Internet and TV to one company. The cable is inserted into an apartment or house, and with the help of a splitter the signal is distributed to television and Internet. The Internet signal is sent to a cable modem connected to a PC or router.
Modern standards allow Internet speeds of up to 300 Mbit/sec. Despite the relatively low popularity of the technology, telecommunications service provider AKADO connects subscribers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg using it.
Mobile Internet
The development of 3G and 4G standards allows you to use the Internet at a speed comparable to a home connection. In many Russian cities, the 4G standard is available with speeds of up to more than 100 megabits. Where it is not available, 3G operates at speeds of up to 40 megabits.
Recently, unlimited tariffs have been offered, albeit rather conditional ones. No wires are needed and you can connect relatively cheaply anywhere where coverage is available. You can use a USB modem, mobile router or smartphone/tablet as a modem. Built-in software can also determine network parameters.
Satellite Internet
The most expensive, but at the same time the most ubiquitous. Allows you to access the Internet even far from communications, even in the middle of the taiga. The only condition is visibility of the satellite.
Everyone is familiar with satellite television. Antenna dishes can be seen in almost every home and in huge numbers. The same dish is used to access the Internet. There is one-way and two-way satellite Internet.
With one-way access, outgoing requests are transmitted over a terrestrial communication channel, for example, through mobile network, and the incoming data comes from the satellite. With two-way access, all exchange occurs via satellite channel. To do this you will need an antenna with a transmitting head.
Access speed reaches several tens of megabits. The main disadvantage is the huge price for a set of equipment and rather high tariffs.
WiMax and Wi-Fi
Almost everyone is familiar with Wi-Fi; almost everyone has a router at home, and in many in public places Free hotspots are available. WiMax allows you to cover those areas where it is difficult to provide a cable connection in every home. This is applicable in the private sector or cottage communities. To provide coverage, base stations are used to provide coverage within a radius of several kilometers.
To connect, you need to have a special receiver, and when moving away from the station, an amplifying antenna. The technology is not widely used, since it still requires a cable connection to the village. It is much more expedient to use the mobile Internet.
Conclusion
We have listed all possible types of Internet connection. If you live in a city, most likely your provider will connect you via cable. This is the cheapest type of connection in multi-storey buildings. Hardware setup will vary depending on various types connection, you can find out more about this issue in our article How to connect the Internet on a laptop. In addition, never hesitate to contact the service provider's technical support to find out your network access parameters.
What type of connection do you use? Are you satisfied with the quality of communication? Write to us in the comments.
The cost of network access depends on the type of Internet connection. In the very general view types are divided into wired and wireless. The first group includes all connection methods associated with pulling a cable to the subscriber’s apartment. The cable can be a telephone cable or intended only for the Internet; such a line is called a dedicated line. Wireless connection– this is setting up access to the network through a special antenna. In the article we talk about the listed options in more detail and advise which type of Internet connection is best to choose.
Find providers that connect your home Internet to your address:
What are the types of Internet connections?
Dial-up access
This is a modem connection via the telephone network. To set up, you need to have a home phone and a telecom operator whose equipment is powerful enough to provide access to the network.
The disadvantage of dial-up communication is that the connection to the network occurs through the same line as dialing. Therefore, simultaneous use of the Internet and telephone is impossible. In addition, on average, such a connection allows you to access the network at speeds of up to 56 Kbps. Few online games work with this connection, and downloading files can take several weeks.
Nowadays, dial-up connections are common in areas where population density or territorial features do not allow for broadband Internet.
Connection via asymmetric digital subscriber line
It is otherwise called ADSL. This is another type of modem connection. It also requires a telephone line, but a digital modem allows you to dial in and access the network at the same time. The line capacity with this type of Internet connection is higher than in the method described above. It provides the subscriber with a fairly high speed of access to the network - on average up to 24 Mbit/s. The load on the line is distributed asymmetrically - the incoming connection is faster than the outgoing connection (speed up to 1.4 Mbit/s). Because of this, it takes longer to upload files to the server.
Connection via cable TV
This is the type of access that is provided according to the DOCSIS standard - data transmission via television cable. It is usually used if there are no Internet providers in the house. With its help you can get speeds from 27 to 50 Mbit/s. To set up access, you must have cable television in your home and a special modem.
Access via Ethernet cable
Ethernet – dedicated line. It is used to connect a computer to the network directly or through a Wi-Fi router. The capacity of such a channel is higher than in the case of ADSL or television cable. Data transfer speed from 50 Mbit/s in both directions - both from the computer to the server and back. You can connect only if there is broadband Internet in the subscriber’s home.
Connection via GPON
GPON is a technology for setting up network access through a personal fiber optic line. It is carried out from the provider’s equipment directly to the subscriber’s apartment. This type of network connection setup provides maximum speed data transfer – up to 1 Gb/s. To connect, you need to pull from common line cable to the subscriber's apartment and install an optical modem. The technology is not yet available in all regions.
More common than GPON are fiber optic and twisted pair connections. In this case, the optical cable is pulled to the apartment building, and the Internet is distributed to subscribers using twisted pair cables. The capacity of such a channel is lower.
Setting up access via antenna
This group includes radio, mobile, satellite Internet. To set up access using the listed channels, antennas are required.
Radio Internet operates through an access point provided by the provider. The signal from it spreads over a certain radius and arrives at the subscriber’s equipment through an antenna installed in the apartment. Then, using a modem, the signal is sent to the computer. If the access point is far away, the signal may be too weak. In this case, in addition to the antenna, signal amplifiers are used.
Mobile communications operate through antennas installed in cell phones or USB modems, no additional hardware required. This type of Internet connection is the most affordable, but has low bandwidth compared to a wired connection via a dedicated line.
Satellite communication is established through street antennas aimed at the satellite. Due to the large distances the signal must travel, it usually arrives with a delay. Other disadvantages of the connection include low connection speed, unstable operation in bad weather, high cost of equipment and subscription fees. However, in some areas, satellite communication is the only available connection channel.
How to find out your Internet connection type
If your device is connected to a network, you can find out the access method through the settings. Just go to Network and Sharing Center on Windows computers or Network for Mac. There will be information about the available connection options and the current connection method. If on this moment Internet is not working or do you need more detailed information, contact your provider's technical support.
What type of Internet connection to choose
Much depends on the carriers available in your home and your needs. Dial-up provides a slow connection speed and is inconvenient to use. This can only be selected if other types of network settings are not available to you.
If you want to connect to the Internet via your phone, ADSL is more suitable. Using this channel you will get a speed sufficient for normal surfing: launching most online games, downloading movies, watching online videos. If you are planning to use smart home technology and want to set up digital TV via the Internet, find out about the possibility of replacing the telephone cable with fiber optic cable using GPON technology, with simultaneous connection of telephone, Internet and television. This will cost more, but all three services will be provided through one cable. The throughput of such a line is much higher than that of its analogues.
If you do not have the opportunity to run a wire into your apartment, consider radio Internet or mobile communications. The disadvantage of the first is the need to install an antenna at home, the disadvantage of the second is the low connection speed.
Satellite access should only be considered if you have no other way to connect to the network.
How to Determine the Type of Internet Connection Available in Your Home
Use the form to select a provider by address on our website. Enter the city name, street and house number. The system will automatically select a list of available telecom operators for you. You can view their tariffs, get advice about the service and sign up for a connection.
Types of Internet connection. Introduction
The Internet came to the masses only ten years ago, and during this time the ways to access it have proliferated, apparently and invisibly; however, most network devices were invented even before the popularization World Wide Web and was intended to receive completely different services. Be that as it may, now with regard to any means of communication the user has one question: how can this thing help me to access the Internet, to access a home or intra-apartment network? We will try to understand the variety of ways to connect to the Internet from home and home office.
The purpose of this series of articles is to consider the most well-known technologies from theoretical and practical points of view, but without taking into account their prevalence: the popularity of a particular technology does not mean its availability in your city, region, home. The proposed material should be considered as a small reminder when choosing from several real offers from local providers. Even if a provider of the desired type is found, the last word remains with its technical specialists, who determine the possibility of connection specifically in your case.
The articles are divided into chapters, each of which is devoted to separate species connecting to the Internet with a description of general points, types of this type of connection and the equipment necessary for this. The first publication will be of an introductory nature and will cover basic issues.
Classification of connection types
Subscriber connections to the Internet are divided into two main classes: individual and collective. With an individual connection, each subscriber uses a channel allocated personally to him to the provider’s point of presence located outside the building (Fig. 1a). An example here would be access to the Internet via a regular or DSL modem, via satellite.
Rice. 1. Classification of connections by mass use of channels
With a collective connection, a shared network is laid in the building, which is used not only for access to the Internet, but also for communication between neighbors without using the Internet (Fig. 1b). This class of connections includes all home networks and access via television cable. Simply put, the division is based on how many wires are connected to the house, and who will suffer if one wire malfunctions - an individual subscriber or an entire team.
Connections are also divided according to the distance of the subscriber from the provider’s point of presence (Fig. 2).
Rice. 2. Classification of connections by distance from the provider
In the case of home networks, the point of presence is located in the same house as the subscriber, or in the neighborhood. For DSL connections, the provider's equipment is usually located at the nearest telephone exchange. Classic access via a modem implies the presence of a provider somewhere within the city. And with satellite communications, a virtual channel is laid into earth orbit.
There are other classification methods based on technical characteristics. We won't go into details for now. Subsequent chapters will describe each type of connection in detail so that you can come up with the classification that you need.
Transmission speed
Perhaps, this question seems the most confusing, so we will consider it one of the first.
The speed of information transfer between two devices is determined, first of all, by the channel speed, that is, the number of “raw” bits transmitted per unit of time over the transport channel. This set of bits is called “raw” because, in addition to useful information, it contains service information. The ratio of useful and service information depends on the specific technology, and sometimes on the size of the transmitted block. For example, when downloading a file from an FTP server on a local Fast Ethernet network with a channel speed of 100 Mbit/s, the payload will not exceed 96 Mbit/s. This efficiency can be considered almost ideal; in many technologies it is much lower: for example, for Wi-Fi it is less than 50%.
One of the common causes of misunderstanding between providers and their clients is confusion between bits and bytes. In the field of communications, as well as in other areas associated with low-level operations, the basic unit of information is the bit, and the unit of speed, accordingly, is the number of bits per second. The user operating with information on high level, it is more convenient to count in bytes. But the speed expressed in bits/s is numerically higher than in bytes/s, so it is more profitable for the provider to indicate the former. To completely confuse a potential client, the word “bit” is shortened to one letter “b”, which many mistakenly decipher as “byte”. Things get even more confusing when it comes to kilobits and megabits. Computer specialists traditionally consider the prefix “kilo” to correspond to a multiplier of 1024, while communications specialists and many marketers who are far from knowledge of computer science use decimal system, in which a kilobit is equal to 1000 bits. Taking into account all of the above, the channel speed of 100 Mbit/s declared for Fast Ethernet in practice corresponds to 11.4 MB/s (in ideal conditions), but not 12.5 MB/s, as one might think. And certainly not 100 MB/s!
Electromagnetic interference and signal attenuation have a strong impact on speed. Some technologies, such as Ethernet LAN, operate at only one speed over a limited range of distances between the transmitter and receiver. Other technologies, such as telephone modems, allow you to adaptively adjust the speed depending on the channel condition: the worse it is, the lower the speed. For example, ADSL channel speed varies from 8 Mbit/s on a good line near the telephone exchange to 192 kbit/s at a distance of 5 km.
Channel speed minus all costs is not the speed of Internet access. Channel speed only determines the maximum throughput between your computer and the provider’s point of presence. For example, the channel speed may be 100 Mbit/s, and the access speed according to the tariff you choose is 128 kbit/s towards you and 64 kbit/s towards you.
Whatever the connection of the subscriber - individual or collective - there are common channels from the provider’s point of presence to the Internet backbones (Fig. 3).
Rice. 3. Bandwidth of channels between client and server
The bandwidth of these channels is less than what would be required by all clients at the same time, because in the traditional model of Internet use only a small part of users simultaneously transmits and receives information. The skill of the provider lies precisely in having a channel with minimal bandwidth, and so that clients hardly feel the speed limit. Unfortunately, each provider understands the word “almost” in its own way, and sometimes it happens that the needs of subscribers significantly exceed the capabilities of the provider. The lightning-fast appearance of new high-speed subscriber connections makes its contribution, followed by global networks they don't keep up. For the same reason, the model for using the network is changing: if previously downloading movies, music, and games seemed unrealistic, now many users download gigabytes of information around the clock.
When working with servers on the Internet, you need to understand that each server has its own provider, whose channels are also not rubber. Highways between cities, countries and continents also have their limitations, serving millions of users. Even if you are entitled to 1 Mbit/s according to the tariff, do not be surprised that the download speed from somewhere in Australia or South America will be 10 kB/s.
Transmission delay
By and large, high transfer speeds are only important for downloading large files. For web browsing, online gaming and Internet telephony, transmission latency is much more important. It is the delay that determines the comfort of work. Typically, providers rank tariffs by transmission speed, and therefore many equate speed and latency, but they are not the same thing.
Let's compare a satellite channel and a regular modem (Fig. 4).
Rice. 4. Time diagram of information exchange during different meanings speeds and delays
In the first case, the speed can reach several Mbit/s, but you cannot get more than 56 kbit/s from the modem. But the modem has a delay of only a few milliseconds, and from a satellite it is more than a second. The first user can quickly download a large file, but the web page will not open until a couple of seconds after entering the address. In action games, this user's shooting at opponents will be unsuccessful, because it will seem to him that he is aiming, but the target has actually run away a long time ago. Conversely, the owner of a modem will need at least ten minutes to download a short song, pictures on web pages will load slowly, but the reaction to the user’s actions can be almost instantaneous.
The delay is determined not only by the signal propagation time through the transmission medium, but also by the time it takes to process signals and data by various network devices, which can be many times longer than the propagation time (Fig. 5).
Rice. 5. Increasing delay with passage of sections between the client and server
The delay is affected by channel congestion: in an overloaded area, data queues will appear, some of which may be lost, which requires additional time to detect losses and retransmit. Therefore, it is not a fact that a modem user will be more successful than a satellite user in games: if the game requires a higher frequency of data exchange than the modem can provide, the channel will simply become clogged with data, and the action in the game will occur in jerks.
Tariffication
To charge in proportion to the volume of service use, providers may take into account the connection time (for session access via a modem or satellite), may take into account the amount of information received or transmitted, may take into account everything at once, or may not take into account anything at all, limiting themselves to only a fixed subscription fee.
The user can control the connection time independently, and almost everyone has an idea of how much time they are going to spend on the Internet. It is much more difficult to control your traffic because it is intangible without special technical means. The user simply does not realize that he is dealing with large amounts of information, especially if the speed is high and the loading time is correspondingly short. A classic joke on this topic: a subscriber who refuses to pay the bill motivates his refusal by saying that he did not download the movie, but just watched it (of course, this is the same thing).
Traffic accounting programs are not standard components of user operating systems; To choose the right program, you need to try many options, and this is not an amateur activity. In addition, the program on your computer only takes into account what came onto your computer while the program was running. And the provider takes into account everything that was intended for you, even if your computer was disconnected from the network at that moment. Particularly greedy providers even take into account traffic within the local network (between their subscribers), while other providers may not take into account traffic from some sites on the Internet or sell it at preferential rates. Caring providers create their own multimedia and game servers so that the user does not have to spend money on working with the same resources on an external network.
Tariff plans taking into account the volume of traffic have a constant component in the form of a subscription fee, which already includes a certain amount of traffic. A clear understanding of his needs allows a prudent subscriber to choose the optimal tariff, because even incomplete use of the traffic included in the subscription fee for a more expensive tariff can be cheaper than paying for overconsumption on a tariff with a lower subscription fee (Fig. 6).
Rice. 6. Selecting the optimal tariff based on the amount of traffic consumed
Unlimited tariffs seem more attractive to many users. Of course, you need to understand that nothing happens without restrictions. The provider bases its proposals for unlimited access on the assumption of an average traffic rate per person. If you constantly exceed a certain limit, you will either be offered to pay extra, or your access speed will be reduced, or the contract will be unilaterally terminated. For marketing reasons, this limit is rarely advertised in the contract, but rest assured: the provider will always find a legal justification for its actions. To prevent the user from getting the erroneous feeling of permissiveness, access speeds on unlimited tariffs are usually low: for example, the same provider may offer 2 Mbit/s for tariffs with paid traffic, but no more than 256 kbit/s for unlimited tariffs.
Authentication and data protection
The provider's equipment determines whether to allow access to the client using authentication. The basis for authentication can be a username and password, the network address used, or even the fact of a physical connection over a given cable. Common feature All of these methods are easy to falsify: just connect to your wiring and/or intercept the necessary information.
Even if the provider does not count traffic, it is in the interests of it and legitimate users to make it difficult for unauthorized connections and tampering. Firstly, the traffic of illegal immigrants leads to additional costs for the provider, which are reimbursed by legal users. Secondly, any traffic loads channels common use. Thirdly, pirated connections often have the goal of maliciously affecting subscribers’ computers and compromising them.
The basic level of security is provided by a point-to-point connection (Point-to-Point, PPP) between the subscriber’s computer and the Internet gateway with mandatory password encryption. The greatest confidentiality is achieved using virtual private network (VPN) technology, but to encrypt all traffic the provider would need powerful equipment, which would not have the most pleasant impact on the cost.
Subscriber network address
To exchange information over the Internet, each computer needs a network address called an IP address (Inter-network Protocol). In order to simplify local networks, some addresses are not part of the Internet address space. Such addresses are called internal, and, unlike external addresses, they are valid only within their local network, and the same internal addresses can be used in different local networks.
Rice. 7. Internal and external IP addresses
The subscriber’s computer with an internal address (“A2” in Fig. 7) works with the Internet not directly, but through address substitution, which is carried out by the provider’s gateway (“A3”). In this case, all subscribers of the local network from an external point of view look like one user, which is the gateway. An arbitrary computer from the Internet (“A4”) cannot directly access the subscriber’s computer, which, by the way, protects the subscriber from external hacker and virus attacks. This best option for users who require web and mail.
Some applications require direct access from the Internet. First of all, such applications include increasingly popular file-sharing networks and similar peer-to-peer communities (Peer-to-Peer, p2p), for example, distributed IP telephony. Peer-to-peer means that there is no division of network participants into clients and servers: any computer is both at the same time, and therefore must be accessible from the Internet (“A1” and “A4” in Fig. 7). An external IP address may also be required to work with some FTP servers and client-bank systems. You can’t do without it when creating your own game or web server. However, having an external address, the computer is accessible not only to the desired target audience, but also for the whole variety of attacks. Therefore, owners of external addresses must take special measures to prevent attacks, paying special attention to installing and configuring firewalls and antiviruses.
Some providers allocate external addresses at no additional cost, while others charge from $1 to $20 monthly for this pleasure. Moreover, on cheap tariffs, blocking of some incoming connections can be introduced to prevent the subscriber from creating any servers.
Regardless of whether the user has an external or internal address, it is technically possible to directly exchange information between subscribers of the same network. But the provider can block such exchange so as not to overload internal channels, or, as mentioned above, such exchange can be charged on the same basis as external traffic.
Connection cost
When reviewing each access technology, we will try to provide a rough estimate of connection costs. These costs consist of three main components: the cost of equipment, payment for the provider’s actions and your own labor costs. The latter includes, for example, cabling throughout the apartment, if it is required for this type of connection. The fee to the provider can be of very different amounts for the same type of connection: from free or discounted during a long-term advertising campaign to several hundred dollars. It is difficult to predict anything here, so we will limit ourselves to indicating the approximate cost of the equipment.
However, the equipment is different: there are simpler models, and there are sophisticated ones that can cost several times more. If a provider offers to purchase equipment from them, such a standard package, as a rule, includes a simple model with a minimum of necessary functions. It is this option that we will focus on, and advanced users themselves will always be able to choose a model to suit their taste and budget.
Access sharing
There are more and more users who have several computers in their home: desktop, mobile, pocket, refrigerator with automatic ordering of products via the Internet. Of course, they all need Internet access, and it would just be nice to combine them into one intra-apartment network.
Rice. 8. Home router - the center of the intra-apartment network
The optimal solution for most are specialized home routers - Internet Gateway Device, or, in common parlance, Broadband Router. Thanks to the development of electronics, it is now possible to implement many functions in one single chip. Therefore, several devices, previously offered as independent products, are easily combined in a small home router housing (Fig. 8, 9).
Rice. 9. Appearance of home routers
The simplest models with a built-in 4-port switch cost about $50. A multifunctional combine that also combines an ADSL or cable modem, point wireless access and a print server (or network-attached storage) can be purchased starting at $150. Such a device provides almost transparent sharing of a single connection between several users, protects them from attacks, and can even scan traffic for viruses. VPN routers allow homeworkers to create a secure connection to their office network; Unlike simple gateways with the ability to pass VPN traffic (almost every modern router can pass-through VPN), real VPN gateways have a powerful encryption processor and take care of all the troubles of creating secure channels.
What I would like to warn against is purchasing equipment “for growth.” Modern tendencies such that by the time you finally need those features you overpaid for a couple of years ago, the technology used may have changed so much that it renders your supplies virtually useless. For example, if you don’t yet have wireless devices, but plan to have them, buy a router not with a wireless adapter installed, but with a PC Card slot, into which you can then install the most modern adapter. However, you shouldn’t go to the other extreme, limiting yourself to a minimum of functions without taking into account the prospects.
The cost of network access depends on the type of Internet connection. In the most general terms, types are divided into wired and wireless. The first group includes all connection methods associated with pulling a cable to the subscriber’s apartment. The cable can be a telephone cable or intended only for the Internet; such a line is called a dedicated line. A wireless connection is setting up network access through a special antenna. In the article we talk about the listed options in more detail and advise which type of Internet connection is best to choose.
Find providers that connect your home Internet to your address:
What are the types of Internet connections?
Dial-up access
This is a modem connection via the telephone network. To set up, you need to have a home phone and a telecom operator whose equipment is powerful enough to provide access to the network.
The disadvantage of dial-up communication is that the connection to the network occurs through the same line as dialing. Therefore, simultaneous use of the Internet and telephone is impossible. In addition, on average, such a connection allows you to access the network at speeds of up to 56 Kbps. Few online games work with this connection, and downloading files can take several weeks.
Nowadays, dial-up connections are common in areas where population density or territorial features do not allow for broadband Internet.
Connection via asymmetric digital subscriber line
It is otherwise called ADSL. This is another type of modem connection. It also requires a telephone line, but a digital modem allows you to dial in and access the network at the same time. The line capacity with this type of Internet connection is higher than in the method described above. It provides the subscriber with a fairly high speed of access to the network - on average up to 24 Mbit/s. The load on the line is distributed asymmetrically - the incoming connection is faster than the outgoing connection (speed up to 1.4 Mbit/s). Because of this, it takes longer to upload files to the server.
Connection via cable TV
This is the type of access that is provided according to the DOCSIS standard - data transmission via television cable. It is usually used if there are no Internet providers in the house. With its help you can get speeds from 27 to 50 Mbit/s. To set up access, you must have cable television in your home and a special modem.
Access via Ethernet cable
Ethernet – dedicated line. It is used to connect a computer to the network directly or through a Wi-Fi router. The capacity of such a channel is higher than in the case of ADSL or television cable. Data transfer speed from 50 Mbit/s in both directions - both from the computer to the server and back. You can connect only if there is broadband Internet in the subscriber’s home.
Connection via GPON
GPON is a technology for setting up network access through a personal fiber optic line. It is carried out from the provider’s equipment directly to the subscriber’s apartment. This type of network connection setup provides maximum data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gb/s. To connect, you need to stretch a cable from the common line to the subscriber’s apartment and install an optical modem. The technology is not yet available in all regions.
More common than GPON are fiber optic and twisted pair connections. In this case, the optical cable is pulled to the apartment building, and the Internet is distributed to subscribers using twisted pair cables. The capacity of such a channel is lower.
Setting up access via antenna
This group includes radio, mobile, satellite Internet. To set up access using the listed channels, antennas are required.
Radio Internet operates through an access point provided by the provider. The signal from it spreads over a certain radius and arrives at the subscriber’s equipment through an antenna installed in the apartment. Then, using a modem, the signal is sent to the computer. If the access point is far away, the signal may be too weak. In this case, in addition to the antenna, signal amplifiers are used.
Mobile communications work through antennas installed in cell phones or USB modems; no additional equipment is required. This type of Internet connection is the most affordable, but has low bandwidth compared to a wired connection via a dedicated line.
Satellite communication is established through street antennas aimed at the satellite. Due to the large distances the signal must travel, it usually arrives with a delay. Other disadvantages of the connection include low connection speed, unstable operation in bad weather, high cost of equipment and subscription fees. However, in some areas, satellite communication is the only available connection channel.
How to find out your Internet connection type
If your device is connected to a network, you can find out the access method through the settings. Just go to Network and Sharing Center on Windows computers or Network for Mac. There will be information about the available connection options and the current connection method. If the Internet is not working at the moment or you need more detailed information, contact your provider's technical support service.
What type of Internet connection to choose
Much depends on the carriers available in your home and your needs. Dial-up provides a slow connection speed and is inconvenient to use. This can only be selected if other types of network settings are not available to you.
If you want to connect to the Internet via your phone, ADSL is more suitable. Using this channel you will get a speed sufficient for normal surfing: launching most online games, downloading movies, watching online videos. If you are planning to use smart home technology and want to set up digital TV via the Internet, find out about the possibility of replacing the telephone cable with fiber optic cable using GPON technology, with simultaneous connection of telephone, Internet and television. This will cost more, but all three services will be provided through one cable. The throughput of such a line is much higher than that of its analogues.
If you do not have the opportunity to run a wire into your apartment, consider radio Internet or mobile communications. The disadvantage of the first is the need to install an antenna at home, the disadvantage of the second is the low connection speed.
Satellite access should only be considered if you have no other way to connect to the network.
How to Determine the Type of Internet Connection Available in Your Home
Use the form to select a provider by address on our website. Enter the city name, street and house number. The system will automatically select a list of available telecom operators for you. You can view their tariffs, get advice about the service and sign up for a connection.
