ADSL is a high-speed internet service that uses copper telephone lines, with faster downstream speeds than upstream speeds. It is cost-effective and allows simultaneous use of landline phones. SDSL is available for businesses requiring fast uploading. ADSL is not available in all regions, and speeds vary based on distance from the DSLAM. It is easy to find out if ADSL is available and can be set up with a DSL modem and router. ADSL is “always on” and can be left on 24/7, but it is advisable to disconnect computers for added security.
Asynchronous (or asymmetrical) digital subscriber line, better known as ADSL or DSL for short, is a type of high-speed Internet service that runs over standard copper telephone lines. ADSL Internet uses a different frequency band than telecommunications voice traffic, allowing you to be online using your landline phone at the same time. ADSL’s traditional competitor has been cable Internet and, more recently, fiber optic service (FiOS). Where available, basic ADSL packages remain the most cost-effective choice for high-speed Internet.
Asynchronous or asymmetric service refers to DSL packages that have faster downstream speeds than upstream speeds. In other words, data transmitted from the Internet to your computer (downstream data) travels faster than data passed from your computer to the Internet (upstream data). The reason for this asynchronous arrangement is that normally the data going from your computer to the Internet consists of very small request packets, such as calls to web pages or emails. The amount of data returning to your computer, however, is substantial and requires more bandwidth to avoid slowdowns and a poor experience.
Of course, businesses may require large files to be uploaded to a private network that tunnels across the Internet, known as a Virtual Private Network (VPN). In this case you can have a Synchronous DSL (SDSL) package at a higher cost. SDSL Internet offers upstream and downstream speeds that are matched, making uploading extremely fast.
ADSL Internet is not available in all regions. Where offered, the subscriber must fall within the service parameters of a local distribution point, or DSL access multiplier. (DSLAM). The further away it is physically from the DSLAM, the more the signal degrades, resulting in slower speeds. As a result, ADSL Internet packages are guaranteed to provide speeds that are within a range for each type of plan. People who live closest to the DSLAM will enjoy speeds in the upper part of the plan’s designated range, while people who live farther away will get speeds in the lower range. The plans are tiered too, so you can pay more to get a plan faster.
One benefit of ADSL Internet is that it is the only high-speed service that offers slower speeds for people on a budget or those just getting off dial-up modems, who will no doubt be impressed with the improvement without having to break the bank. In newer housing and commercial developments where fiber optic lines are being installed instead of copper lines, residents have to choose between cable or FiOS, which can provide higher speed but at a higher price.
It is quite easy to find out if ADSL Internet is available in your area. You can shop for DSL providers online, then enter the address of the premises where DSL is required to see what packages are available. Once subscribed to the service, it is sufficient to configure a DSL modem which can be rented from the provider or purchased directly from third parties. The modem will have a connection port for the telephone line coming from the wall jack, a port for connecting the landline, and two or more ports for connecting additional computers, depending on the model.
DSL modems that support multiple computers, known as a local area network (LAN), include a built-in router that will allow all of the machines to share the same DSL Internet connection. The modem/router can be wireless so connected machines do not have to be physically tethered to the DSL modem. This will require a wireless network card to be installed in each computer, or you can use wireless network adapters. Your ADSL modem/router and network cards must also support a common wireless standard or protocol. Purchasing wireless networking components that support all current wireless standards is another option.
Internet ADSL is an “always on” service. The modem and internet connection can be left on 24/7, although for added security it is advisable to disconnect the computers from the internet when not in use.
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