Technet FAQ - Dial-Up Access

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How Do I Get Connected to the Internet?

There are several ways to get Internet services. You may wish to subscribe to a commercial online service and use the Internet services that they offer. Some on-line companies offer a wider range of Internet services than others. Many offer technical support to help you navigate the net. If you have a modem, your PC can dial into an Internet Service Provider's host system. This host has connections to the Internet backbone system, and so can pass Internet traffic to your modem and PC. If your PC is connected to a network, you might be connected to an Internet Service Provider through a dedicated or leased line.

What Hardware Do I Need?

The minimum requirements are an IBM compatible 486 or better with 8 Megabytes of RAM, a VGA video card and monitor or better, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, or a Macintosh computer with a 68030 CPU or a PowerPC (8 Megabytes of RAM required; 16 Megabytes of RAM recommended). A modem that supports speeds of 14, 400 bps or greater (33, 600 recommended) is necessary and, of course, access to a telephone line. This configuration will enable you to view graphics on the Internet. Remember however, the faster and more powerful your computer, the more responsive and capable your Internet access.

What Software Do I Need?

Your computer will need to have a TCP/IP stack and a PPP dialer in order to access the Internet. Windows 95 and many Mac systems include these. Usually your ISP will make available to you the software to connect your computer, or will help you properly configure the programs you already have.

Do I Need a Special Phone Line?

Your phone line will be dedicated to your Internet connection for the period you are connected. You can share your home phone with your computer by moving the connector to the modem for the purpose of connecting to the Internet, but you cannot receive calls while you are connected to the Internet. A separate line connected to your computer allows you to use your phone line without interrupting your Internet connection.

What Kind of Modem Do I Need?

The modem is the hardware that connects your computer to the phone line. It is a vital piece of the Internet connection. The speed and quality of your connection are dependent upon your modem. Modems can operate as fast as 56.8 kbps (kilobits per second) but 33.6 kbps and 28.8 kbps are the most common. The better modems provide for error correction and data compression which will improve and sustain the quality of your connection by compensating for deficiencies in the telephone lines and switches. Modems can be external or internal to your computer; some of the older IBM-based computers cannot operate a high-speed external modem without a hardware upgrade. Internal modems can serve only the machine where they are installed, but are usually less expensive than external models.

Technet's dial-up servers in most locations support up to 33.6 kbps, although achieving that speed also depends on other factors, such as the noisiness of the phone line and the speed of the computer. Also, some Technet customers have experienced difficulties with US Robotics modems. See the US Robotics Troubleshooting Guide for more details.

What Is PPP Access?

"PPP" stands for Point-to-Point Protocol. It is a standard means of connecting two computers together across a phone line or other direct point-to-point link. It is most commonly used by personal computers dialing into the Internet using a modem. When your computer is connected via a PPP link, it becomes part of the Internet for the duration of the call. You can then run easy-to-use graphical Windows or Macintosh software on your computer to access e-mail, the World Wide Web and other Internet services.

What Is ISDN?

ISDN is a digital replacement for today's dial-up phone system. Unlike the slow, often noisy, analog phone lines widely used today, ISDN's entirely digital system allows for a variety of traffic (audio, video, data, etc), at speeds of up to 128 kbps (kilobits per second). ISDN has three communications channels, two of which are 64 kbps and can be combined for a total of 128 kbps. The third channel is used for administration and call control by the telephone company. ISDN requires special phone lines from the telephone company, and special hardware to operate the ISDN phone line. New Mexico Technet now offers ISDN Internet Access. Please see About ISDN for more information. If you have any questions regarding this or any of New Mexico Technet's other services, please feel free to contact us at any time.

What Is DSL?

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a digital data service offered by New Mexico Technet (beginning September 1999 in Albuquerque, later in other areas) that provides telecommuting capabilities at speeds up to 53 times faster than a standard 28.8 modem. That means you can download data, graphics or audio and video files at high speeds, while simultaneously talking on the phone or sending a fax--and you don't need additional phone lines to do it.

New low-cost high speed Internet access for business:

  • 53 times faster than 28.8k
  • 27 times faster than 56k
  • 12 times faster than ISDN

Full-time connections at speeds from 192k to 1.5Mb (T1)

When are 56K/V90 Dialup Connections Installed?

We are often asked whether we plan to install 56K or V.90 modems at any of our locations.

As a rule, Technet installs 56K/V.90 modems as soon as the volume at a particular site makes it practical, which requires a bit of explanation of 56K modem technology. 56K modem technology depends on different equipment and telephone service at the ISP's site. Specifically, digital modems and Digital (T-1 based) phone service is required. Because a T-1 carries 24 lines, and the digital modem equipment is accordingly designed to deal with 24 lines, 56K/V.90 modems are only practical and cost effective at locations where 24 lines (or a substantial portion of 24 lines) are justified. Unlike many ISP's who ONLY install 56K modems and ONLY consider sites where 24 lines are immediately needed, Technet installs many smaller dial-up locations throughout New Mexico in support of its educational and economic development mission. In many of these locations, modem pools of 6 to 8 lines are often justified, where 18 to 24 are not. Because of the substantially increased cost of both the 56K modem hardware and the digital, T-1 based telephone service, we cannot always provide 56K modem capability in all our dial-up locations, particularly those with fewer than 18 lines. However, we do track actual utilization (and you can too - check under System Status) and add lines to keep up with demand. When it looks as though 12-18 lines are needed, we can usually justify the expense of 56K modems (which are easier to manage in addition to providing 56K access).

In general, we install 56K dialups in our locations that have 12-18 lines or more. Until the usage makes 12-18 lines practical, 56K modems are not practical. Unfortunately it is difficult to predict when this may occur, so projecting a date for 56K availability is difficult.

We appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions regarding this or any of New Mexico Technet's other services, please feel free to contact us at any time.

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