In the modern world there are a large number of possible ways to access the Internet. We suggest that you talk about the traditional (even for many slightly outdated), which, meanwhile, stands out for its reliability and prevalence. We are talking about dial-up Internet access. In the article we will reveal the features of such a connection, its advantages, the necessary components and other important characteristics.
What is it?
Dial-up Internet access is in some cases called remote access. Another name is dial up. From English literally - "dialing", "dialing".
Dial-up Internet access is:
- One of the ways to connect to the Internet, where a dial-up telephone line is used for communication between modems. A simple, acceptable solution for both legal entities and individuals, who do not need constant access to the Internet network.
- A service that allows a computer, using only a public telephone network and a modem, to connect to an access server or another computer to initiate data exchange sessions. For example, to access the same Internet.
- Internet access on your home computer.
- Dial-up modem access to the corporate network using the special two-point PPP protocol.
Equipment required
Thus, the list of necessary equipment for dial-up Internet access is simple:
- Personal computer or laptop.
- Modem.
- Phone line.
Access benefits
Dial-up Internet access - these are the following indisputable advantages:
- The possibility of using the telephone line already drawn into the apartment for Internet access.
- Represents Internet access wherever there are telephone lines for wired devices.
- Low cost of both the connection itself and the equipment. In other words, the user in this case practically does not bear any costs. The cost of modems is acceptable. It should be noted that they are already integrated by the manufacturer in some models of modern laptops.
- Easy to connect.
- Ease of payment. Some providers offer subscribers to buy special cards. To activate the payment, it is enough to indicate the series, the number of such an acquisition. In other cases, the service is provided on credit. An invoice for it comes on the receipt for paying for the use of a wired telephone.
- In developed countries, dial-up remote access is already provided to subscribers for free! This is a great opportunity for people with a modest budget to enjoy their time on the Global Network.
- In many remote rural areas, dial-up access to the Network remains the only way to access the Internet to this day.
Access disadvantages
Dial-up dial-up access is still an outdated method of communication, relatively long ago replaced by more functional and high-speed ones. Let's pay attention to its annoying shortcomings:
- Limited data rate. The most "sore" item. If modern networks are capable of providing information transfer rates of 100 Mbit / s - 1 Gbit / s, then for dial-up access this is not possible. The maximum capabilities of modern models are 56 Kbps. However, in general, devices operate at a speed of 30 Kbps. Moreover, the following parameters also influence network performance: modem functionality, presence / absence of interference in the telephone network itself.
- Payment is charged by the operator according to the time that the user spent on the network. Moreover, the amount of transmitted / received data (traffic) is not taken into account.
- The provider sets a specific location for the communication session. After this period, the user is disconnected. For the next connection you need to dial. This (depending on the provider, the location of the user) can take from a few seconds to an hour.
- When using the Internet with this access method, it is not possible to talk on a landline phone.
Access types
Types of dial-up access can be divided according to the data compression protocol used:
- Standards V.42, V.42bis, V.44. They allow you to transfer compressed files at a speed of 160 Kbps, text - up to 320 Kbps.
- ISP The working bandwidth is about 350 Kbps. Maximum - up to 1000 Kbps. The main disadvantage of the protocol: loss of quality of transmitted data. Often, providers call this type of dial-up access a "high-speed dialup."
Connection Availability
Dial-up access (dial up, dialup, slang - dialup) is one of the most affordable ways to connect to the Internet. In fact, to connect via a modem does not require any additional infrastructure, except for the telephone network.
As we have already noted, such a connection (via a telephone line and a modem) remains the only one available today for many rural settlements both in our country and in other countries of the world. Broadband access is impossible there because of the low population density, and because of the inconsistency of many factors with the requirements of such a network.
Dial-up analog access is sometimes the only way people with limited financial resources can use the Internet. It is distinguished by low prices for using the service. More and more global telecom operators present their subscribers the opportunity to "free-lap" absolutely free.
Reasons for unclaimed services
However, despite the technological and financial availability, dial-up access is losing its position every year, becoming unclaimed by the population. The reasons are in the shortcomings we have identified. Something like: a relatively large time for dialing, determining the cost of a service by the time spent in the network (and not by the amount of traffic).
The biggest complaint, based on user feedback, is that dial-up access, in fact, is an intermittent, temporary connection that can be disconnected at any time. If you work on the Web, play games on the server, then the need to reconnect, a sudden disconnection will negatively affect the productivity of your activity.
Performance
And one more important characteristic of access. As we have already mentioned, the highest theoretical speed of modern modems today is 56 Kbps. But in fact, it does not exceed 40-50 Kbps. The average performance is even lower - 30 Kbps.
The following also affects the data transfer speed: the quality of the device itself - the modem, the noise of the telephone line. Under the influence of negative factors, it can drop to completely frivolous 15 Kbps.
And one more negative point. Dial-up access also features a high response delay time (up to 400 milliseconds). And this characteristic makes it impossible, for example, to conduct video conferences, online games. However, according to user reviews, many managed to play using the modem in "Sims", "Star Wars Galaxy", "Warcraft" and so on.
Broadband Replacement
Already at the beginning of the 2000s, the usual access to the Internet through a modem everywhere began to be replaced by a more functional broadband DSL technology. The minimum data transfer rate here was 128 Kbps. The preference for dial-up broadband Internet access has become widespread due to service prices.
Moreover, many sites today offer such voluminous data (three-dimensional images, audio, video files) that previous modems cannot handle. But, I must say, dial-up access has not always lost its position. It is still relevant in areas where data transfer in high speed mode is not required.
You also need to remember that somewhere carrying out broadband networks is economically unprofitable or simply impossible. Despite the fact that wireless technologies have long been announced, it is very difficult to organize such an infrastructure in practice. The reason is low profitability, high implementation costs, poor communication quality.
Operators also increase the attractiveness of the once-popular “dialup” economically. For example, in Russia, if you only want to view e-mail, read text files on the Internet, communicate in instant messengers, pay about 150 rubles a month for a dailap.
Unfortunately, dial-up access to the Global Network is now considered to be something outdated. Although in some regions of the world it remains the only way to the Internet. Many users today stop at it because of the low price of such a service.