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A Primer on ADSL Internet ServiceJan 19 '00 Write an essay on this topic.A Primer on ADSL, I hope this helps some of you. ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) is a digital data service offered by several Telco’s and services around the country today that provides connection capabilities at speeds up to 50 times faster (sometimes higher) than a standard 28.8 modem. That means you can download data, graphics or audio and video files at high speeds. The other HUGE plus to ADSL is that you can use the Internet while simultaneously talking on the phone or sending a fax - on the same telephone line. This is the biggest draw over cable (see below for cable) Here is the scenario for ADSL service and what it does for you. ADSL uses modem technology different than your current 28.8 or 56K modem to transmit data asymmetrically, allowing you to download or receive information at potentially multi-megabit rates. Since ADSL uses your own phone line, you do not need to share this bandwidth with other users unlike cable (again, see below) Although ADSL is a HI-BROW technology, the key to understanding how it works is relatively simple. When you use your phone for voice calls, you only use a small portion of your line's total capacity. Voice conversations operate within the low frequency range of the telephone line, leaving the higher frequencies idle. ADSL takes advantage of this idle bandwidth, by transporting data in the higher frequencies, leaving you free to still talk on the phone while you surf the Internet. This is similar to Fiber Optic technology as it squeezes more information onto a wire. What do you need to use ADSL? · A compatible ADSL modem · An Network Interface Card (NIC) placed within your computer to connect it to the modem · A splitter placed outside your home that splits the voice transmission from the data transmission and directs it to either your phone or your computer. · And the BIG Must: you have to live within approximately 17,500 feet of their central telephone switching office, and must have a telephone line qualified to carry the DSL signal. This is the tricky spot because most switching offices use maps that are NOT correct. They use street distance and not actual distance, so if you are Diagonal from the office and estimate 2 miles, but the street (imbedded phone lines) run differently, the distance can be up to 3 times farther than the estimate. You MUST make sure of the distance before you order or sign any contracts for ADSL service. Installation and setup: Problems abound here. Remember what it was like when you added a second line, a new Caller ID service or just installed a new line? Remember the frustration on the phone? Or the wait for the completion? It gets worse with ADSL. This new tech requires knowledge on the part of the installation tech and the phone company selling you the ADSL. Tricky enough for YOU to talk to the phone company, imagine what it is like for two DIFFERENT facets of that company or two different companies altogether to communicate. Then there is the installation of the hardware and outside splitter. This can be a harrowing experience because all these installation guys are new to this game. Most do not know Windows well enough to install the software and hardware to get you going, which can cause delays as they go back and forth trying to set you up. I am not trying to scare you away from ADSL. It is GREAT, the speed is fantastic and I cannot live without it anymore. When I go to work and connect to the net at the old 56K I am ready to burst at the slow speeds. Really, I can’t believe I actually waited once for pages to load and software to download. Real Player is just that now… A real Player. ADSL is worth the wait and aggravation. I suggest you read as much as possible and go into the deal with as much knowledge as you can muster, you will most likely have to walk one or two Telco employees through your needs. Advantages over cable: Cable is like a network with each signed on user taking a little bandwidth away from the next user. Have 100 people on the block signed up and that speedy cable connection becomes slower than 28.8. If that wasn’t bad enough, if you are not careful (or really careless) your computer can be accessed rather easily by outside parties. This can be overcome by making a few adjustments (defaults are fine in Win98) but there is also some great firewall software out there to take care of such a problem. Bottom Line: Although I wish I could give you more details, you would be better served looking it up on the company web site where you are thinking of getting the service from, they will (or should) have more info for you that directly applies to you. I say GET IT IMMEDIATELY, immediately AFTER you learn a bit and understand that this could be a long process, but highly worth it.  |
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