Internet Service Providers (ISP) Connectivity
Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company offering access to
internet. They offer various services:
Internet Access
Domain name registration
Dial-up access
Leased line access
ISP Types
ISPs can broadly be classified into six categories as shown in
the following diagram:
ACCESS PROVIDERS
They provide access to internet through telephone lines, cable
wi-fi or fiber optics.
MAILBOX PROVIDER
Such providers offer mailbox hosting services.
HOSTING ISPS
Hosting ISPs offers e-mail, and other web hosting services such
as virtual machines, clouds etc.
VIRTUAL ISPS
Such ISPs offer internet access via other ISP services.
FREE ISPS
Free ISPs do not charge for internet services.
Connection Types
There exist several ways to connect to the internet. Following
are these connection types available:
1. Dial-up Connection
2. ISDN
3. DSL
4. Cable TV Internet connections
5. Satellite Internet connections
6. Wireless Internet Connections
Dial-up Connection
Dial-up connection uses telephone line to connect PC to the
internet. It requires a modem to setup dial-up connection. This
modem works as an interface between PC and the telephone line.
There is also a communication program that instructs the modem
to make a call to specific number provided by an ISP.
Dial-up connection uses either of the following protocols:
1. Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP)
2. Point to Point Protocol (PPP)
The following diagram shows the accessing internet using modem:
ISDN
ISDN is acronym of Integrated Services Digital Network. It
establishes the connection using the phone lines which carry
digital signals instead of analog signals.
There are two techniques to deliver ISDN services:
1. Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
2. Primary Rate Interface (PRI)
Key points:
The BRI ISDN consists of three distinct channels on a single ISDN
line: t1o 64kbps B (Bearer) channel and one 16kbps D (Delta or
Data) channels.
The PRI ISDN consists of 23 B channels and one D channels with both
have operating capacity of 64kbps individually making a total
transmission rate of 1.54Mbps.
The following diagram shows accessing internet using ISDN
connection:
DSL
DSL is acronym of Digital Subscriber Line. It is a form of
broadband connection as it provides connection over ordinary
telephone lines.
Following are the several versions of DSL technique available
today:
1. Asymmetric DSL (ADSL)
2. Symmetric DSL (SDSL)
3. High bit-rate DSL (HDSL)
4. Rate adaptive DSL (RDSL)
5. Very high bit-rate DSL (VDSL)
6. ISDN DSL (IDSL)
All of the above mentioned technologies differ in their upload
and download speed, bit transfer rate and level of service.
The following diagram shows that how we can connect to internet
using DSL technology:
Cable TV Internet Connection
Cable TV Internet connection is provided through Cable TV lines.
It uses coaxial cable which is capable of transferring data at
much higher speed than common telephone line.
Key Points:
A cable modem is used to access this service, provided by
the cable operator.
The Cable modem comprises of two connections: one for
internet service and other for Cable TV signals.
Since Cable TV internet connections share a set amount of
bandwidth with a group of customers, therefore, data
transfer rate also depends on number of customers using
the internet at the same time.
The following diagram shows that how internet is accessed using
Cable TV connection:
Satellite Internet Connection
Satellite Internet connection offers high speed connection to
the internet. There are two types of satellite internet
connection: one way connection or two way connection.
In one way connection, we can only download data but if we want
to upload, we need a dialup access through ISP over telephone
line.
In two way connection, we can download and upload the data by
the satellite. It does not require any dialup connection.
The following diagram shows how internet is accessed using
satellite internet connection:
Wireless Internet Connection
Wireless Internet Connection makes use of radio frequency bands
to connect to the internet and offers a very high speed. The
wireless internet connection can be obtained by either WiFi or
Bluetooth.
Key Points:
Wi Fi wireless technology is based on IEEE 802.11 standards
which allow the electronic device to connect to the
internet.
Bluetooth wireless technology makes use of short-
wavelength radio waves and helps to create personal area
network (PAN).
Dialup
Dialup internet service is a service that allows connectivity to the internet through a
standard telephone line. By connecting the telephone line to the modem in your computer
and inserting the other end into the phone jack, and configuring the computer to dial a
specific number provided by your internet service provider (ISP) you are able to access
the internet on your computer.
Dial up internet service is provided through several ISP. The majority of internet service
providers give you a set of telephone numbers either national or local that allows you to
dial into a network that feeds into the internet. This allows you to receive and send email,
search the World Wide Web, participate in chat rooms and plenty of other features the
web has to offer.