Internet Connection Alternatives For Home Networks

17/2/2017 Internet Connection Alternatives for Home Networks
HOW TO › INTERNET & NETWORK
Internet Connection Alternatives for

Home Networks
Types of Internet connections available in home networking
Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images
by Bradley Mitchell
Updated September 16, 2016
As a homeowner (or renter), you likely have several options for how to connect to the Internet.
The connection method you choose affects how a home network must be set up to support
Internet connection sharing. Each Internet network connection alternative is described here.
DSL - Digital Subscriber Line

https://www.lifewire.com/internet-connection-alternatives-for-home-networks-817716 1/30
DSL is one of the most prevalent forms of Internet connection. DSL provides high-speed
networking over ordinary phone lines using digital modems.
DSL connection sharing can be easily achieved with either wired or wireless broadband
routers.
In some countries, DSL service is also known as ADSL, ADSL2 or ADSL2+.
Cable - Cable Modem Internet

Like DSL, a cable modem is a form of broadband Internet connection. Cable Internet uses
neighborhood cable television conduits rather than telephone lines, but the same broadband
routers that share DSL Internet connections also work with cable.
Cable Internet is perennially more popular than DSL in the United States, but in many other
countries the reverse is true.
Dial Up Internet
Once the world standard for Internet network connections, dial-up is slowly being replaced
with higher-speed options. Dial up uses ordinary telephone lines but, unlike DSL, dial-up
connections take over the wire, preventing simultaneous voice calls.
Most home networks employ Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) solutions with dial-up
Internet.
Dial up routers are di icult to ind, expensive, and generally do not perform well given such a
slow Internet pipe.
Dial up is most commonly utilized in lightly populated areas where cable and DSL Internet
services are unavailable. Travelers and those with unreliable primary Internet services also use
dialup as a solid secondary access method.
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network

In the 1990s, ISDN Internet served many customers wanting DSL-like service before DSL
became widely available. ISDN works over telephone lines and like DSL, supports
simultaneous voice and data tra ic. Additionally, ISDN provides 2 to 3 times the performance
of most dial-up connections. Home networking with ISDN works similarly to networking with
dial up.
Due to its relatively high cost and low performance compared to DSL, today ISDN is only a
practical solution for those looking to squeeze extra performance from their phone lines
where DSL is unavailable.
Satellite Internet
Enterprises like Starband, Direcway and Wildblue offer satellite Internet service. With an
exterior-mounted mini-dish and a proprietary digital modem inside the home, Internet
connections can be established over a satellite link similar to satellite television services.
Satellite Internet can be particularly troublesome to the network. Satellite modems may not
work with broadband routers, and some online services like VPN and online games may not
function over satellite connections.
Subscribers to satellite Internet service generally want the highest available bandwidth in
environments where cable and DSL are unavailable.
BPL - Broadband over Power Line

BPL supports Internet connections over residential power lines. The technology behind power
line BPL works analogously to phone line DSL, using unused signaling space on the wire to
transmit the Internet tra ic. However, BPL is a controversial Internet connection method. BPL
signals generate signi icant interference in the vicinity of power lines, affecting other licensed
radio transmissions. BPL requires specialized (but not expensive) equipment to join to a home
network.
Do not confuse BPL with so-called powerline home networking. Powerline networking
establishes a local computer network within the home but does not reach to the Internet. BPL,
on the other hand, reaches to the Internet Service Provider over utility power lines.
(Likewise, so-called phone line home networking maintains a local home network over phone
lines but does not extend to the Internet connection of a DSL, ISDN or dial-up service.)
Other Forms of Internet Connectivity

In fact, severalAdvertisement
other types of Internet connections have not yet been mentioned. Below is a
short summary of the last remaining options:
Fractional T1/T3 Internet - T1 and T3 are the names telecommunications irms have
given to leased line network cables. Installed in some multi-resident dwellings, fractional
T1/T3 lines are typically underground iber or copper cables that connect directly to the
service provider, with individual home connections switched over Ethernet cables.
Cellular Internet - Mobile Internet connections can be made over digital cell phones.
Due to high cost, cellular Internet will only be used in homes during emergencies.
Wireless Broadband Internet - WiMax technology supports high-speed wireless Internet

via base stations like cellular networks. So-called WiFi community or "mesh" networks
serve a similar function using different technologies.
HOW TO › INTERNET & NETWORK
Types of Network Connections
by Bradley Mitchell
Updated October 19, 2016
Computer networks come in many forms: Home networks, business networks and the Internet
are three common examples. Devices may use any of several different methods to connect to
these (and other kinds of) networks. Three basic types of network connections exist:
Point-to-point connections allow one device to directly communicate with exactly one
other device. For example, two phones may pair with each other to exchange contact
information or pictures.
Broadcast / multicast connections allow a device to send one message out to the
network and have copies of that message delivered to multiple recipients
Multipoint connections allow one device to directly connect and deliver messages to
multiple devices in parallel.
Not all networking technologies support making all types of connections. Ethernet links, for
example, support broadcast, but IPv6 does not. The sections below describe the different
connection types commonly used on networks today.
1 Fixed Broadband Internet
The term broadband can mean multiple things, but many consumers associate it with the
concept of high-speed Internet service installed at a speci ic location. Private networks in
homes, schools, businesses, and other organizations usually link to the Internet via ixed
broadband.
History and common usages: Various universities, government and private institutions
created key pieces of the Internet during the 1970s and 1980s. Household connections to the
Internet gained rapid popularity during the 1990s with the emergence of the World Wide Web
(WWW). Fixed broadband Internet services became irmly entrenched as a standard for
residential homes in developed countries during the 2000s, with ever increasing speeds.
Meanwhile, national Wi-Fi hotspot providers began supporting a geographically dispersed
network of ixed broadband sign on locations for their subscribers to use. More – Who
Created the Internet?
Key technologies: Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) technology supports

simultaneous voice and data access over phone lines without requiring the use of a modem. It
was the earliest example of high-speed (relative to available alternatives) Internet access
service the consumer market. ISDN failed to gain widespread popularity due to competition
from superior Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable Internet services. Besides these options
that involve cabling, ixed wireless broadband (not to be confused with mobile broadband)
services based on microwave radio transmitters. The tower-to-tower communication on
cellular networks also quali ies as a kind of ixed wireless broadband system.
Issues: Fixed broadband installations are attached to one physical location and not portable.
Due to the cost of infrastructure, availability of these Internet services are sometimes limited
to cities and suburbs (although ixed wireless systems work reasonably well in rural areas).
Competition from mobile Internet services puts increasing pressure on ixed broadband
providers to keep improving their networks and lowering costs.
Advertisement
2 Mobile Internet
Mobile World Congress 2016. David Ramos / Getty Images
The term “mobile Internet” refers to several types of Internet service that can be accessed via
a wireless connection from many different locations.
History and common usages: Satellite Internet services were created in the late 1990s and
2000s as a higher-speed alternative to traditional dial-up Internet. While these services could
not compete with the high performance of newer ixed broadband solutions, they continue to
serve some rural markets that lack other affordable options. The original cellular
communication networks were too slow to support Internet data tra ic and were designed
primarily for voice, but with improvements in newer generations have become the leading
mobile Internet option for many.
Key technologies: Cellular networks use a wide variety of different communication protocols
within the 3G, 4G and (future) 5G standards families.
Issues: The performance of mobile Internet connections historically been lower than that
offered by ixed broadband services, and its cost has also been been higher. With major
improvements in both performance and cost during recent years, mobile Internet has
become increasingly affordable and a viable alternative to ixed broadband.
Advertisement
3 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Daily Life In Tehran - Using VPN to Access Social Media. Kaveh Kazemi / Getty Images
A virtual private network (VPN) consists of the hardware, software and connections needed to
support protected client-server network communications over public network infrastructure
via a method called tunneling.
History and common usages: VPNs grew in popularity during the 1990s with the proliferation
of Internet and high-speed networks. Larger businesses installed private VPNs for their
employees to use as a remote access solution – connecting to the corporate intranet from
home or while traveling to access email and other private business applications. Public VPN
services that enhance the online privacy of an individual’s connection to Internet providers
also continue to be widely used. So-called “international VPN” services, for example, allow
subscribers to navigate the Internet through servers in different countries, bypassing
geolocation restrictions that some online sites implement.
Key technologies: Microsoft Windows adopted Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) as its
primary VPN solution. Other environments adopted the Internet Protocol security (Ipsec) and
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) standards.
Issues: Virtual private networks require special setup on the client side. Connection settings
vary across different VPN types and must be correctly con igured for the network to function.
Failed attempts to make a VPN connection, or sudden connection drops, are fairly common
and di icult to troubleshoot.
Advertisement
4 Dial-up networks
Group of modern telecommunication equipments, globe with telephone, modem and internet and satellite dish media.
pictafolio / Getty Images
Dial-up network connections enable TCP/IP communications over ordinary telephone lines.
History and common usages: Dial-up networking was the primary form of Internet access for
homes in the 1990s and early 2000s. Some businesses also set up private remote access
servers enabling their employees to access the company intranet from the Internet
Key technologies: Devices on dial-up networks use analog modems that call designated
telephone numbers to make connections and send or receive messages. X.25 protocols are
sometimes used to transfer data from dial-up connections over long distances, such as for
credit card processing or cash machine systems.
Issues: Dial-up provides very limited amounts of network bandwidth. Analog modems, for
example, top out at maximum data rates of 56 Kbps. It has been replaced by broadband
Internet for home Internet and is gradually being phased out in other usages.
5 Local Area Network (LAN)
Wireless Home Network Diagram Featuring Wi-Fi Router.
People associate computer networking with LANs more than any other type of network
connection. A local network consists of a collection of devices located in close proximity to
each other (such as in a house or an o ice building) connected to shared network equipment
(like broadband routers or network switches) that the devices use to communicate with each
other and with outside networks.
History and common usages: Local networks (wired and/or wireless) became extremely
popular during the 2000s with the growth of home networking. Universities and businesses
utilized wired networks even earlier.
Key technologies: Most modern wired LANs utilize Ethernet while wireless local networks
generally use Wi-Fi. Older wired networks used Ethernet but also some alternatives including
Token Ring and FDDI.
Issues: Managing LANs can be di icult as they are general purpose networks designed to
support a mix of different devices and device con igurations (including different operating
systems or network interface standards). Because the technologies supporting LANs function
only over limited distances, communication between LANs requires additional routing
equipment and management effort.
6 Direct networks
Bluetooth. David Becker / Getty Images
Dedicated network connections between two devices (that no other devices can share) are
also called direct connections. Direct networks differ from peer-to-peer networks in that peer
networks contain a larger number of devices among which many point-to-point connections
may be made.
History and common usages: End user terminals communicated with mainframe computers
via dedicated serial lines. Windows PCs also supported direct cable connections, often used
to transfer iles. On wireless networks, people often make direct connections between two
phones (or a phone and a sync device) to exchange photos and movies, upgrade apps, or play
games.
Key technologies: Serial port and parallel port cables support basic direct wired connections
traditionally, although these have greatly diminished in usage in favor of newer standards like
USB. Some older laptop computers offered wireless infrared ports for direct connections
between models that supported IrDA speci ications. Bluetooth emerged as the primary
standard for wireless pairing of phones due to its low cost and low power consumptions.
Issues: Making direct connections over longer distances is di icult. Mainstream wireless
technologies in particular require devices to be kept in close proximity to each other

(Bluetooth), or on a line-of-sight free from obstructions (infrared).
ARTICLE
Stuck Connecting Your Computer to the Internet?
ARTICLE
Wired vs Wireless Networking: How to Build a Local Area Network That's
Right for You
ARTICLE
Why 'broadband' is frequently misused (and what the term really
means)
LIST
Routers offer a wide range of useful features for home networking
ARTICLE
What ever happened to dial-up networking?
ARTICLE
Can One Home Network Share Two Internet Connections?
ARTICLE
Understanding DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet service
ARTICLE
Learn more about modems - a basic component of computer networks
ARTICLE
Which Is a Faster Internet Connection: DSL or Cable?
ARTICLE
How wireless and computer networks help you do work and have more
fun
ARTICLE
What is an Internet Provider, or ISP?
ARTICLE
Essential Settings for Your Home Network Routers
LIST
Sure ire Ways to Improve Your Home's Wi-Fi Network
ARTICLE
Do you still use Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)?
Get the Most From Your Tech With Our Daily Tips
Enter Your Email SIGN UP
Follow Us
Facebook
HOW TO FIX
BUY DO MORE
About Us Advertise
Privacy Policy Careers
Contact Terms of Use
© 2017 About, Inc. — All rights reserved.

Internet Connection Alternatives For Home Networks

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Internet Connection Alternatives For Home Networks

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

17/2/2017 Internet Connection Alternatives for Home Networks

HOW TO › INTERNET & NETWORK

Internet Connection Alternatives for

Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images

DSL - Digital Subscriber Line

In some countries, DSL service is also known as ADSL, ADSL2 or ADSL2+.

Cable - Cable Modem Internet

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network

BPL - Broadband over Power Line

Other Forms of Internet Connectivity

Wireless Broadband Internet - WiMax technology supports high-speed wireless Internet

HOW TO › INTERNET & NETWORK

Types of Network Connections

1 Fixed Broadband Internet

Key technologies: Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) technology supports

Mobile World Congress 2016. David Ramos / Getty Images

3 Virtual Private Network (VPN)

and di icult to troubleshoot.

Dial-up network connections enable TCP/IP communications over ordinary telephone lines.

5 Local Area Network (LAN)

Wireless Home Network Diagram Featuring Wi-Fi Router.

Bluetooth. David Becker / Getty Images

technologies in particular require devices to be kept in close proximity to each other

Privacy Policy Careers

Contact Terms of Use

© 2017 About, Inc. — All rights reserved.

You might also like