What communication methods exist on the network. Internet connection. Connection types, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages
Currently, the main information space in which many events and operations take place is
It is designed for searching information, communicating, working and spending free time.
Nowadays, almost anywhere on the planet there is Internet access. The World Wide Web allows you to keep abreast of all events and news.
Few people now use communication via a telephone connection if they have the Internet at hand. You can communicate using various messaging programs.
Methods for connecting to the Internet
Today, the main types of Internet connections are
- wired,
- wireless and
- Wi-Fi.
They all have their positive and negative sides. In each situation, a certain type of connection is considered the most convenient. The choice of connection may depend on the user's activity, his needs and the purpose of the Internet. The location of the user (at home, on a trip, abroad) also matters, which influences the choice of connecting to the Internet.
Access the Internet using a cable (wired connection)
This method of accessing the Internet is perfect for those who like to download files and play games online. Wired connection has a high data exchange speed. It is important that this speed is equally fast for both receiving and transmitting information, which is not possible with other types of Internet connections.
Recently, optical fiber cables have begun to be used. It allows you to achieve the most maximum speed by improving the quality of signal transmission.
A cable connection is most often used for desktop computer users who do not require constant movement, but can also be used for users of portable devices, laptops, and netbooks that have appropriate cable connectors.
This type of connection not only has high speed, but also the possibility of using unlimited tariffs. With this tariff, there is no limit on downloaded traffic, so you can use the Internet without restrictions and at maximum speed.
This type of wired connection is called by the abbreviation LAN. This is also the name of the connector in a PC to which you can connect a wire and provide wired access to the Internet.
Mobile Internet access (wireless network connection)
This type of Internet is very convenient for people who are constantly on the move. Main positive quality is considered to be the absence of a wire that does not allow the user to move with his PC.
To access the Internet, you must have a special device inside your PC to work with an operator's SIM card mobile communications. And if you don’t have such a device, you need to have a special USB modem, which is produced by almost all mobile operators.
The connection to the Internet is carried out via mobile communications. To do this, you need to purchase an operator SIM card or the mentioned modem, and at the same time select the appropriate traffic size and tariff.
Tariffs can be either time-based (hourly, daily, monthly) or depending on the volume of information transmitted (for example, so many rubles for each megabyte of received or transmitted information). Time-based tariffs, as a rule, have a limit on the maximum amount of downloaded (transmitted) information. Once this limit is reached, the connection either stops altogether or continues at an extremely low speed.
It should be noted that recently operators have appeared that provide only Internet services, without telephony services. To communicate with such operators and to gain access to the Internet with their help, you also need data reception and transmission devices built into the PC or external USB modems, but SIM cards are no longer needed in this case.
The transmission speed of mobile networks depends on the capabilities of mobile operators. Today, standards such as 3G, 4G are used, and 5G standards are being developed. Each subsequent standard allows you to exchange data at ever-increasing speeds.
However, a mobile connection ensures that the speed of receiving data from the network to the PC is much higher than the speed of transferring data from the PC to the network, which is not very convenient, for example, when using Skype.
Internet access via Wi-Fi
Actually, this is also a wireless connection. But such a connection does not require devices in the form of modems or cables. You just need to purchase a router that is designed to propagate waves.
Nowadays, many public places have Wi-Fi routers installed, which allow you to use the Internet at any time. This method of connecting to the network is very convenient for users of tablets, mobile phones or laptops that have a built-in Wi-Fi connection module.
This connection method is becoming increasingly popular. They are starting to use it both at home and in offices. The convenience is that you do not need to lay wires to computers.
It should be noted that Wi-Fi Internet connections are especially common in developed countries. There, access to the Internet via Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere. Thus, users of mobile gadgets can stay connected all the time, without interruptions. Our country is also developing this method connections, however, given the scale of our country, still mobile access access to the Internet using a SIM card is more reliable and more common in our country, including in rural areas.
All of the above methods of accessing the Internet have their own advantages, which allow you to choose the most suitable type of connection for PC users. Combinations of these methods are also allowed. For example, when using a laptop in a stationary setting (at work or at home), it is convenient to use a wired connection.
And when mobile version Using the same laptop, it is good to have a USB modem to connect to mobile operators. When using the same laptop in a cafe, you can use a Wi-Fi Internet connection. So it all depends not only on the preferences of PC users, but also on the capabilities provided for connecting to the Internet.
The Internet has long been included in the list of natural conveniences. It has turned from a luxury into a necessity that can make life much easier for each of us.
There is no longer any special need to buy magazines/books/newspapers, because as soon as you turn on your PC and launch your browser, hundreds of materials will appear in front of you, crowding into the columns of search results in the hope of attracting your attention.
The Internet is a collection of servers located around the world and connected by data transmission channels. Local network of enormous scale.
You might be wondering how it all works? Where and in what ways do all these tons of varied information end up on our PCs? There are many ways to connect to the global Internet. Surely, you are interested in learning about them with all the advantages and disadvantages.
So let's get started.
Dial up connection
The most "ancient" and affordable way connections. Access to the Internet occurs through a telephone line channel and a modem. The phone is always busy while using it. The speed is ridiculous in our times - 56 kbit/s. In general, it is a relic of the past and is seen simply as a fragment of history.
Leased line
The most relevant and common type of connection today. Fast and relatively cheap Internet, with virtually no restrictions for the end user. Comfortable surfing, downloading large amounts of data, online games - everything, as they say, “flies”.
Most often in cities, it is implemented with FTTB technology: optics are installed in an apartment building, and twisted pair cables or also fiber optics (FTTH) are sent from the local switch to the users’ apartments. Speeds range from 1-1000 Mbit/s, traffic packages are usually unlimited.
Definitely a good option. No additional equipment is required - just a PC and a cable from the provider. Connection is also usually free or symbolically small. It’s just important for you not to make a mistake when choosing a provider - so that both the size of the monthly fee and the quality of the Internet/technical support please you.
ADSL connection
ADSL is a fast connection type. Not as popular as before, but still holds its place in the ranks. To implement communication, you need two modems - one from you, the other from the provider. The transmission channel is a telephone line, which is not very good. The capacity of the new telephone cable is 24 Mbit/s. And those that have been serving for 30 years will hardly exceed 10 Mbit/s. However, this is not a bad speed. In addition, while using the Internet, the phone continues to work, unlike Dial Up.
This connection is enough for high-quality voice and video communications, faxing and surfing. It is beneficial to use where FTTx providers have not reached (usually the private sector or small villages).
Satellite Internet
A relatively exotic thing for the average user. The high cost and small number of providers until recently made VSAT the choice of units.
The last few years have changed the situation in the communication services market, making satellite Internet, although not cheap, but accessible. It is used where there is nothing else. Roughly speaking, he can work in the desert or on the top of a mountain, where there are no communications.
Exists in 2 variations:
· One-way: signal transmission occurs through terrestrial channels, and reception through satellite;
· Two-way: signals travel in both directions via satellite channels.
The first connection method is more common and cheaper. The second is usually used by organizations for remote offices. The speed of such Internet can reach 20 Mbit/s. An obvious disadvantage is the high cost of equipment and the size of the monthly fee, as well as possible interference in bad weather.
Radio Internet
Access to the network is provided by connecting the antenna installed at the user’s location with a wireless access point organized by the service provider. The antenna is placed on a hill (pole, roof), and its horn must be precisely aimed at the signal source. Range – up to 50 km.
Like VSAT, this option is used as a last resort. Equipment costs are high and bad weather can cause interference. However, this approach provides mobility and excellent access speeds (up to 1 Gbit/s).
Mobile Internet
A type of communication implemented via a mobile phone using GPRS and EDGE technology. The only clear advantage of such a connection is good coverage of the territory by mobile providers and mobility.
The disadvantages include the relatively low speed and high cost. Can be used in conjunction with a PC. Again, this option is good if there is nothing else.
3G modem and GSM modem
Technologies are used to connect GSM and CDMA. Speed depends on the provider's equipment and tariff. The method is not much different from connecting via a mobile phone - the pros and cons are the same.
3G will be able to provide speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s. This modem is inserted into the USB port of a PC, and you can buy it from any mobile operator. There are limited and unlimited tariffs.
WiFi
A type of wireless connection based on the connection provided by the provider to a PC and a router - a multifunctional access point. This is a great option for covering small areas. High speed, low cost and convenience. The disadvantages include a strong dependence on the proximity of the access point and on the presence of obstacles in the path of radio waves.
Results
The most preferable for use in home/office environments are Ethernet networks implemented using FTTx technology. They provide users with inexpensive and very fast Internet. At the same time, the choice of providers is very wide.
If such a connection is not possible, you should take a closer look at wireless technologies (3G is a priority) or ADSL if a telephone line is available.
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 of the network devices were invented even before the popularization of the World Wide Web and were 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 right 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 a separate type of connection 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 to be 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 the 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 emergence of new high-speed subscriber connections, which global networks cannot keep up with, contributes to this. 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 Mbps 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 at different 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 time it takes for a signal to propagate 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 that average norm traffic in one hand. 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. A 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 public channels. 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 is the 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 to a 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 are made up of three main components: equipment cost, 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.” Current trends mean 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 most common ways to connect to the Internet today are:
- Modem connection (Dial-up) – Dial-Up, ADSL
- Leased line connection (fiber optic, etc.)
- GPRS – access (via cell phone)
- Radio access
- Satellite Internet
They all differ from each other in operating principle and data transfer speed., reliability, complexity of setting up equipment and, of course, price. The main characteristic of any Internet connection - data transfer speed - is measured in the amount of information transmitted to the user per unit of time (in one second) and is usually measured in kilobytes/sec (KB/s) or kilobits/sec (kbps). For high-speed channels, speed is already measured in megabits or megabytes per second.
In principle, spending time on the Internet can be divided into two groups - requiring large quantity traffic and not requiring it. For web surfing (viewing pages), the speed of a regular modem connection is sufficient. However, this speed will not allow you to comfortably download large files - movies, high-quality music, and so on. Therefore, to fully use the capabilities of the Internet, high-speed access is required.
Modem connection (dial-up)
The oldest and most widely used connection method, but currently being gradually replaced by others. Modem (dial-up) connection is now relatively popular only in cities where there is no wide choice of providers.
With this connection method, each time the user needs to access the Internet, he will have to dial up the telephone line to the provider’s modem pool using a modem. This leads to the first disadvantage of dial-up - the telephone line is busy while on the Internet. Next, the provider processes the user's account name (login) and password and verifies them. Then the subscriber is assigned a free IP, thanks to which he gains access to the Network.
The advantages of such an Internet connection are: ease of configuration and installation of equipment (only an analog modem is required), low price of equipment, and many tariff plans offered by providers.
There are many more disadvantages to a modem connection. As noted above– the subscriber’s telephone line is busy, low speed data transfer (usually 3-4 KB/s), and poor quality of connection and data transfer due to worn-out telephone lines.
With the speed provided by a modem connection, it is almost impossible to download large files from the Internet - videos, distributions of large programs, and so on.
Required equipment
- Analog modem - from 300 (internal) to 1000 (good external) rub.
- Connection is free with most providers.
ADSL
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology is currently more promising than dial-up. This is a technology that allows you to provide high-speed broadband Internet access over regular analog telephone lines. The speed reaches 8 Mbit/s. In addition, this technology does not load the subscriber’s telephone line, thanks to the separation of signal ranges in the telephone line. The subscriber also does not need to call the provider. Disadvantages - quite high cost of traffic - 2-2.5 rubles / MByte.
Required equipment
- ADSL – modem (splitter is usually included) – from 600 to 2000 rubles.
- The right to connect for the population - up to 1000 rubles. (depending on the region).
GPRS connection
Due to the rapid development of cellular communications in Russia, almost every person has a cell phone. Why not use it to access the Internet? Almost all providers today offer the service of using a cell phone instead of a traditional modem. In this case, free channels of the cellular operator are used to access the network.
For the user, such an Internet connection is good because the phone supports GPRS The only additional equipment required is a device for connecting a mobile phone to a computer (USB cable, infrared port or Bluetooth). Another advantage is the mobility of this type of connection.
The data transfer speed depends on the cellular operator and the equipment used, but in general it is also low - only twice as high as a modem.
The defining disadvantage is primarily the high cost of traffic received by the user (5-7 rubles/MB).
Required equipment
- USB cable, infrared port, Bluetooth - about 400-500 rubles.
Leased line connection
The provider runs a dedicated line (twisted pair or fiber optic) to the subscriber's computer and issues a range of IP addresses for the subscriber to access the Internet.
At the same time, the user receives a free telephone line, constant connection to the Internet, high quality connection and data transfer, high speed (up to 100 Mbit/s).
However, the cost of installing and configuring such a connection directly depends on the distance of the computer to the connection point of the provider and, in any case, is quite large compared to other connection methods. And when moving the computer to another place, you will have to lay a cable to it again.
Required equipment
- In this case, the user only needs a network card from the equipment, and currently it is available on almost any motherboard.
Radio access
Wireless way to connect to the Internet. Everything is installed for the provider and the subscriber necessary equipment(special radio modem, antenna), with the help of which information is exchanged between the user and the Internet.
The disadvantages of radio access are the need to purchase expensive equipment and high subscription fees to the provider. The quality of the connection and data transmission depends on the weather and visibility of the base transmitting station.
Its advantages include high connection speed (up to 2 Mbit/s) and subscriber mobility (that is, the ability to connect the subscriber device to another computer).
Required equipment
- Antenna - about 2000 rubles.
- Internal module (radio modem) – the price range is quite large
Separately, it is worth noting the Wi-Fi connection, which only requires a Wi-Fi module (costs up to 2000 rubles), but... in the regions there is practically no Wi-Fi coverage area.
Satellite connection
Satellite connection can be one-way (asynchronous) or two-way. The second one, due to the high cost of the equipment (the bill runs into tens of thousands), MirSovetov will not consider.
Most often, satellite Internet is called an asynchronous (or combined) access method - data arrives to the user through a satellite dish, and requests (traffic) from the user are transmitted by any other connection - GPRS or via terrestrial channels (ADSL, dial-up). The main requirement for a request channel is connection reliability. In most cases best choice it has an ADSL connection with free outgoing traffic.
Advantages of satellite Internet connection y - first of all, this is a very low cost of traffic - from 10 to 100 kopecks per 1 megabyte. The cost of a set of equipment and connection is currently affordable for almost everyone (especially compared to other access methods) and is approximately 200-300 US dollars.
Data transfer speeds vary significantly depending on provider and plan, selected by the user. Satellite Internet providers offer very wide choose tariff plans, including unlimited ones. A very nice bonus is also the possibility of free satellite television reception.
The disadvantage of a satellite Internet connection is the need the presence of a channel for outgoing traffic - a telephone line or a phone with GPRS support. However, now this is not such a big problem.
Required equipment
- Antenna 90 cm with bracket – about 2000 rubles.
- DVB card (satellite modem) SkyStar2 - 1800 rub.
- Converter – 700 rub.
- Cable – 100 rub. (10 m)
- Installation, configuration – 1700 rub.
It is worth noting that in large cities of Russia, due to growing competition among providers and the development of local networks, Internet access is becoming cheaper. Often you can install unlimited Internet access with decent speed and a subscription fee of 500-1000 rubles/month. In the provinces and small towns, this is much more complicated and prices are an order of magnitude higher. The best choice in this situation would be to use satellite Internet.
Finally, a little math. Let's do the math approximate cost downloading a certain amount of information from the Internet. When using modem (dial-up) Internet access with a time-based payment per hour, you can theoretically receive (download) 6 * 3600 = 21600 kilobytes, or 21 MB. In practice, this figure is in the region of 15-17 MB. Now let's count:
Modem (dial-up) access – 20 MB – 20 rubles (charge per hour).
ADSL access - 20 Megabytes - 40 rubles (Volgatelecom) (tens faster than modem access).
Satellite Internet – 20 MB – from 2 to 20 rubles depending on the download speed and time of day.
That's basically all, the choice is yours, enjoy your work on the Internet.
1. Methods of connecting to the Internet
The choice of how to connect to the Internet depends not only on your technical capabilities, but also on the technical capabilities of the provider. Here we are not talking about connecting to the Internet as something virtual, but specifically about connecting to a provider, to the provider’s equipment.
There are many ways to connect to the provider’s equipment:
Connection via dial-up telephone line,
- via a dedicated line,
- via digital telephone communication,
- via cable television network,
- via satellite channels,
- via radio channel.
1. The most accessible and frequently used way to connect to the Internet is to connect via a regular dial-up telephone line. There is such a line in every home and office, and to connect a computer to the Internet via such a line, you only need one device - a modem.
Modem- This is a special device that connects a computer to a telephone line. Modems can be internal or external.
Internal modem– is an electronic board that is located inside the system unit. The internal modem is cheaper than the external one, however, it is inferior in information transfer speed and ease of use.
External modem- This is a separate device that connects to the computer. The external modem has high cost than internal, transmits information more quickly and provides greater convenience.
So, the modem is connected (or built in) to the computer, and a dial-up telephone line is connected to the modem. At the time required by the user, the modem dials the provider's number and connects to the Internet. That's why the line is called dial-up, since the connection can be established and disconnected, as well as talk on a regular telephone using the same line.
Rice. "Dial-up connection diagram - via a dial-up telephone line"
SPEED transmissions - up to 56 kbit/s. In the outgoing direction - not > 33 kbit/s. The bottleneck of dialup is the speed of the incoming stream (since it transmits 5-8 times more data than the outgoing stream). The connection setup speed is affected by:
·
the quality of your modem
·
telephone line status
·
the level of load on the provider’s equipment.
·
The speed of subsequent work depends on
depending on the situation in the network nodes. There are traffic jams
due to traffic overload (if many people access a popular server at once).
ADVANTAGES:
·
the most cheap way Internet connections,
·
the most accessible: anyone with a phone can connect.
FLAWS:
·
low speed (3-7 KB/s),
·
while working at the boarding school, your telephone line is busy,
·
Possible accidental disconnections during operation.
2.
Another connection method is to connect via dedicated line:
technologies xDSL, ISDN, ETHERNET.
The very name “leased line” indicates that this line only provides a connection to the Internet and this is its main (often only) purpose. That is, a computer or several computers connected to a network are constantly connected to the Internet. This method is most suitable for organizations (including educational institutions), since it provides collective access to all computers on the local network through one dedicated line. The speed of information exchange using such a connection is much higher than using a dial-up telephone line, however, the cost of such a connection is higher. Typically one includes a subscription fee and a fee for exceeding standard traffic.
Note: using a dial-up telephone line, you can also organize collective access,
but the speed of information exchange leaves much to be desired.
A dedicated line is required if you have your own server that provides certain information or services on the Internet. Such a server must be connected to the Internet around the clock.
2.1. xDSL technology (Digital Subscriber Line) - digital subscriber line. The basic principle of DSL technologies is the use of copper wires, originally intended to connect subscribers to the telephone exchange. DSL greatly expands the bandwidth of copper telephone lines due to efficient signal coding,
distortion correction methods, using higher frequency bands than telephone communications (300 - 3400 Hz). DSL allows you to connect LAN segments via telephone lines at speeds close to Ethernet speeds, effectively solving the “last mile” problem when connecting remote users to a corporate network or the Internet.
ADVANTAGES DSL technologies:
·
Cost-effective by using existing telephone lines.
·
Permanent connection (as opposed to a dial-up line).
·
Data transfer speeds comparable to Ethernet speeds.
·
Can simultaneously transmit analog telephone voice traffic over one telephone line
and computer network data.
·
Ensuring the specified quality of service for mission-critical applications through
continuous monitoring of communication line characteristics.
·
Automatic selection of information transmission speed depending on the quality and length of the communication line.
2.2. ISDN technology(Integrated Services Digital Network)
- digital network with integration of services.
Uses the same subscriber lines as regular telephony.
Based on the telephone line, 2 B-channels are created, capable of transmitting speech, data, video and audio information (“basic access” - BRI).
An ISDN line ends with a "network termination" (NT). You can connect various ISDN equipment to NT.
You can use one digital line to connect to traditional services (telephone, fax, telex),
and transmission of teletext, video, etc.
Telephone line transmission speed - up to 128 Kbps! With ISDN Internet access, you can use the phone at the same time (during the call, the data transfer speed will be lower by 64 Kbps).
2.3. Technology ETHERNET. The high speed of the Internet channel makes working on the Internet a pleasure (you can quickly download large volumes, work with multimedia, participate in video conferences, etc.). Connection speed - up to 100 Mbit/s.
3. Other methods of connecting to the Internet are also actively used, but are still less widespread.
One of the alternative ways to connect to the Internet is to connect through mobile operators. Many mobile phones support Internet access via special WAP protocol(Wireless Application Protocol) – wireless access protocol. There are special pages on the Internet that are optimized for viewing on mobile phones.
Mobile phone You can also connect it to a computer and thus access the Internet from the computer. This method is good when you are on a business trip, traveling, or outside the office.
There is now another way to connect to the Internet in laptop computers. These computers have a special electronic board built into them that supports technology WiFi, intended for wireless connecting computers into a network, including for connecting to the Internet.
Table"Types of network connections"
Connection type |
Communication technology |
||||
1. Telephone connection |
Modem, ISDN, X.25 |
Connect to a corporate network or the Internet using a dial-up connection |
|||
2. LAN |
Ethernet, Token Ring, cable modem, xDSL, FDDI, |
Typical corporate user |
|||
3. Virtual private network |
Virtual private networks using PPTP protocols |
Secure connection to the corporate network via the Internet |
|||
4. Direct connection |
Serial connection, infrared communication, parallel cable (DtrectParaUel) |
Connecting a pocket or laptop computer to a desktop computer |
|||
5. Incoming connection |
Dial-up, VPN or direct connection |
Connecting to a corporate remote access server |