Tutorial Blog 3: Different type of internet connections

We live in a very fast pace environment now a days in which we depend more and more on technology.  It has come to the point where virtually anything  from going to classes, paying bills, watching movies, and even keeping in touch with family and friends can be done online.  In my blog I am going to explain the different types of home (there are other types of business connections such as T1 & T3 but those are usually for businesses so I will not be discussing them) internet connections, and  their pros and cons to see which one can benefit you the most. 

1. Analog
In an Analog connection (AKA Dial up) the computer is connected to a modem that dials a phone number which is provided by your ISP (Internet service provider) in order to access the internet.  It is called an analog connection because you access the internet over a dial up signal.

Pros: Very Cheap, Can be used by multiple computers

Cons: SLOW (56k connection), pretty much obsolete in today's age, ties up the phone line, and internet can drop frequently.

Diagram on how an analog connection works

2. Digital Subscriber Line
Digital subscriber line aka DSL is the leading alternative to a analog connection.  Like an analog connection DSL uses a telephone line (2 wire copper telephone line) to connect to the internet but you do not have to use a modem to connect because it is always on and it does not tie up the phone line. 


Pros:  Always on, faster than analog, and does not tie up phone line
Cons: DSL connections work better when you are closer to your server provider.  If you live far away from your server provider you will not be getting what you pay for in terms of internet speed.  Also, you get a decent download rate, but your upload rate lacks severely.  Finally, DSL is not offered everywhere. They are only offered by your location if you live in the country. It is likely to say that DSL will not be provided to you.

Diagram on how DSL works

3. Cable
Accessing the internet through a broadband connection can be done by use of a cable modem.Cable internet connection is a step above a DSL connection.  Like DSL, it is always on but instead of using a telephone line to connect to the interent it uses a TV line.  Cable Internet works by using TV channel space for data transmission with certain channels used for downstream transmission, and other channels for upstream transmission.  The way it works is that you will use a co axle cable to connect the cable modem to the cable input in your wall.  You can either connect your desktop to the cable modem or buy a router to enable wireless internet that will allow you to connect multiple devices to the internet connection.  I personally use a cable connection and I love it.


Pros:  Faster than DSL and Dialup, Does not tie up the phone line, Support heavy data movement such as streaming movies or online gaming, and it is always on.


Cons: Slow connection through online peak hours, initial connection fees can be high, like DSL cable is not available in all areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagram on how Cable connection works

4. Wireless Internet
Wireless internet is one of the newest internet connections that have been introduced to the market.  Instead of using a telephone line or TV line to connect to the internet, wireless connections connect through radio frequency band.  This is still fairly new technology and difficult to find a provider for it.


Pros:  Completely wireless, always on, does not tie up the phone line, can be used by multiple devices
Cons: Hard to find a service provider, new technology, and expensive


(no diagram for this type of connection)




I hope my blog helped you in your process in choosing which type of internet connection to choose.


References


http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/internet_connection_types.asp
http://www.computertroublesolver.com/
http://www.superpages.com/supertips/cable-internet.html
http://www.wikipedia.org

(Picture made in paint by Dario Gonzalez, excluding cable connection which is found on computertroublesovler.com)