| ----Original Message----- Just for some of us
less-than-literate users out here, can you explain the terms "TCP/IP"
"ISDN" and "T-1"? Also, why is a T-1 connection so expensive? I see
these terms all the time, and I'm not sure of the differences. Are there any other types
of connections that are better than a standard phone line and modem?
Thanks,
Mark
The first acronym
you mention is TCP/IP or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This is the set
of network protocols that computers attached to the Internet speak when exchanging data
with each other. Some other network protocols you may or may not have heard of are
Internet Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX), Netbeui and Nwlink. These
all define the protocols or "languages" that the computers will use to exchange
data over the network.
The others relate to
digital lines provided by the phone company. ISDN or Integrated Services Digital Network
uses 64kbs bearer or "B" channels (usually two, thus getting 128K) to
communicate. Here is Oklahoma Bell charges a little less than $90 per month for a 2B, 128k
connection and most of the ISP’s offer dedicated links over this type of connection
for less than $300 per month. A T-1 is a 1.44 megabit connection and with the added speed
comes added price. T-1’s are usually used by Internet Service Providers (ISP’s)
for their connection to the Internet. They are also used by some companies who need and
can afford that much speed.
Another new twist added
to this is Cable Modems and DSL technology that provides high speed, real-time
connectivity at a much lower price than the above. Cable Modems operate at around 10
megabits (though usually lower because you share the bandwidth with all your neighbors)
and DSL is around 6 megabits. DSL testing is currently going on in Dallas but I suspect
that with the slow speed that Bell has in implementing new technology you shouldn’t
hold your breath waiting for it to come to a city near you. You can currently get Cable
Modems if you are lucky enough to be a Cox Cable subscriber as they are now rolling out
availability in many areas. If you are a Cablevision subscriber, call and complain about
the fact that they are not up to speed. They will probably give you some story about
waiting for a standard modem, but my thinking is if Cox and several other cable companies
across America can do it, why can’t they?
Hope this clears things
up for you.
Bees |
