Non Dial up Connections:-

These types of connections are “always on”. You do not require a modem or a phone line to connect to internet. They are normally connected through cable wires. Here we discuss different type of Non Dial up Connections.

1. ISDN:

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is usually considered the next speed step above a dial up connection using a 56K modem. The difference in internet access speed is remarkable.

Using ISDN service you can connect or disconnect the service just like the dial up service. An ISDN connection has to be activated to access internet. Hence some people do not consider ISDN as a true "always on" connection. However, ISDN consists of fully digital circuits that run at 128K. Therefore, it quickly establishes a connection to your service provider when you access the Internet.

Usually ISDN have a fix monthly or quarterly or annually fixed rate. Some ISDN providers may charge you minute for the time you spend connected to the Internet. ISDN is considered as a outdated technology. DSL, a faster, more inexpensive alternative seems to be taking its place quickly in market.

Speed: 64Kbps to 128Kbps
Hardware Requirements: One ISDN router and network cards for the PCs for connecting multiple computers.
Monthly Cost: Starts at per month or per minute charges; depending on usage.

Pros:
1. Does not tie up a phone line
2. Wide availability
3. Usually faster than a 56k modem
4. Can also be used for voice communication

Cons:
1. ISDN may be found difficult to setup
2. Outdated (compared to DSL)
3. Per minute charges can make it costly when a lot of internet excess is requirement.
4. Many times speeds do not measure up to expectations
5. Connections are not "always on"
6. Limited expandability, not practical for more than 8 to 10 computers (depends on usage and number of computer connected for speed of access)
7. ISDN can be problematic to troubleshoot.
8. Generally, ISDN does not allow for the hosting of a Web server for your nonprofit.

2. Frame Relay

Frame relay is a connection to the Internet that is owned by the telephone company. They are shared by many users mostly their customers. Frame relay ISPs provide a Committed Information Rate for the minimum transmission speed they will guarantee to provide all the time. Higher transmission speeds may be availed for some time. Overall, Frame Relay is a very reliable and stable technology that can be used for direct connections to service providers or building wide area networks between several locations.

Monthly Cost: depends on the provider
Speed: 64Kbps 1.54Mbps
Hardware Requirements: One router and one CSU/DSU.

Pros:
1. Easy to install
2. Reliable and fast Internet connection
3. Steady speed
4. Supports WAN connections

Cons:
1. Expensive option for speeds similar to DSL
2. Shared by several users

3. DSL

DSL is used to describe several types of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technologies, including Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). This type of internet connection provides different upload and download speeds and is most popular with consumer customers. A type of DSSL connection, Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), provides the same speed in both directions. SDSL is most popular with businesses and larger nonprofits. In recent years, the DSL market really took off in many urban areas in UK. The level of service in different areas can vary greatly per DSL providers.

Monthly Cost: varies per provider.
Speed: 128Kbps to 1.5Mbps
Hardware Requirements: DSL modem for individual connection. A DSL router is required for connecting multiple computers with network cards for the PC installed.

Pros:
1. Affordable for most consumer customers
2. Wide variety of speeds, but still faster then its ancestors.
3. Wide range of choice of service providers

Cons:
1. Available only in limited areas
2. Speed can vary widely and some time hits very low.
3. You must be within 200 meters or so from the switching site to get good speed. The farther away you are, the lower the speed you get.

4. Cable

Cable connects are provided through a coaxial cable, often using the same line that carries your cable TV service. Cable connections are heavily marketed in home users. Many consumers go for DSL or the bigger budget to get leased line. Cable connections offer relatively high connection speeds mostly 1 to 2 Mbps, at relatively low costs. The connection can be shared one and slower speeds can be a common occurrence if consumption is more. Also, the cable company will usually only provide one IP address making it necessary to purchase a router to share the connection. This is not a practical option for LANS.

Monthly Cost: varies per provider.
Speed: 500 Kbps to 2 Mbps
Hardware Requirements: Cable Modem, Might need cable router to share connection.

Pros:

1. Wide availability
2. Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

1. Sharing with neighbors poses some unique security risks and congestion problems
2. Router required for more than one computer
3. Primarily for home users
4. You generally can not host web sites on cable connections.

5. Satellite

For rural users or people that don't have DSL in their area, Satellite connectivity is becoming a more and more viable alternative for high-speed Internet access. Recently companies have initiated two-way internet access through satellite getting rid of their one-way setups. Earlier one way setups required the use of an analog modem for making requests Satellite connection is still slower than land-based solutions like DSL or frame relay due to the high latency times. Latency time is the amount of time taken to transmit to satellite, ISP, web site and back again to end user. Connection speeds may seem slower than advertised due to this lag. Overall they are still definitely an improvement over dial-up.

If you are interested in two-way satellite connectivity and you have multiple PCs at your organization, it might be worthwhile to talk to a “value-added reseller” (VAR) of Hughes DirecPC about one of their small business solutions. These solutions usually include a server that performs several functions, easing networking headaches and improving performance through caching.

For home consumer solutions:

Monthly Cost:
Speed: Downstream up to 400 Kbps; upstream is usually limited to a maximum of 128Kbps
Hardware Requirements: One satellite dish and satellite modem plus installation

Pros:
You can access the Internet anywhere that you have a clear southern exposure
Available almost everywhere

Cons:
1. Upload speed is not nearly as good as download speed
2. Very little competition
3. Heavy users of bandwidth are often impacted by “fair access policy” that limits use
4. The high latency and asymmetrical nature of the connection makes it inconvenient for hosting web sites
5. Satellite connections can occasionally be affected by inclement weather.

For small business solutions:

Monthly Cost: depends on number of connections, Server based configurations can be more expensive.
Speed: Download speed up to 500 Kbps
Upload is usually limited to a 128Kbps

Hardware Requirements: One satellite dish and one satellite modem plus installation. Server based configuration is better solutions for more than 5 users.

Pros:
1. You can access the Internet anywhere that you have a clear southern exposure
2. Available almost everywhere
3. Small business solutions make it easier to share satellite connection and can also add features or equipment that enhance satellite performance

Cons:
1. Even with small business solutions, not ideal for Web hosting
2. Upload speed is not nearly as good as download speed

6. Leased Line connections

For large organizations with big budgets for internet connections, a leased line can be used to connect the whole office to the Internet. It is a private, dedicated line that goes directly from your office to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you do not need that much speed, you can purchase a shared leased line. This line split into segments and divided among users. Leased lines provide high bandwidth, since they are not shared with other users.

Monthly Cost: Varies per provider
Speed: 64Kbps - 1.54Mbps
Hardware Requirements: Two routers and two CSU/DSU s. Your ISP may provide one router and one CSU/DSU.

Pros:
1. Very fast
2. Higher level of security and guaranteed bandwidth

Cons:
1. Restricted availability
2. Very expensive for home uses and even for small businesses

For organizations that need the fastest available connection to the Internet, a leased line connection is also available at faster speed (40 to 45Mbps) or shared connection speed (3Mbps onwards). This type of line is used by smaller ISP providers.

Monthly Cost: relatively expensive, depends on the provider
Speed: 3Mbps to 45Mbps
Hardware Requirements: Two routers.

Pros:
1. Extremely fast

Cons:
1. Not available everywhere
2. Extremely expensive

7. Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless uses unlicensed radio bandwidth to transmit data between your organization and your service provider. It is possible to transmit over long distances. The speeds can be high, usually over 10Mbps and cost considerably less than the equivalent wired version. However, the initial set-up costs can be very expensive depending on the equipment that your ISP requires.

Monthly Cost: depends on speed or number of computers attached.
Speed: from 256Kbps up to 10 Mbps
Hardware Requirements: Antenna, receiver/transmitter, network device, lightning arrestor, possibly tower. These costs can vary widely based upon what capabilities the system possesses. A basic setup can be as little as $200 while a more advanced setup can run several thousand dollars or more.

Pros:
1. Extremely fast
2. Good bandwidth
3. Covers long distance
4. Relatively economic

Cons:
1. Possible expensive initial costs
2. Limited availability

All type of internet connections have their advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to choose the right internet connection for you…