As the Internet grows in popularity, choosing the right connection for accessing it is becoming a very important decision.
While modems still provide many homes and small businesses with their crawling connection, DSL, cable, ISDN, and T1 are introducing
many libraries to the joys of high-speed access.
Speed
When you read an ad that says: "Our Connection Provides You With an Amazing and Unbelievable 10 Megs Per Second Download Speed,"
you should be amazed, but maybe not as much as you think. Some time back, a quick marketing person decided that Internet connection
speed would be better described in bits, not the bytes usually used to describe disk size and RAM space. So that "unbelievable"
10 MegaBITS per second is actually about 1.25 megaBYTES per second. This article, not to confuse things further, will continue
to discuss Internet speed in bits per second. So, don't jump out of your seat the next time you read about another "unbelievable"
download speed. Simply divide by 8.
Types of access: dial-up vs. "always on"
Anyone who has used a modem knows the problems associated with dial-up access. Even if you just want to check your e-mail
for one minute, you have to wait a couple minutes for your modem to dial a number and establish a connection to your ISP.
It often takes less time to check your e-mail than it does to connect the Internet! While this isn't a major problem if you
rarely use the Internet, it can be a major annoyance if you use it heavily. For heavy users, a dedicated, "always on" connection
such as DSL or T1 is the better alternative. Not only does such a connection provide access "on demand," it is also faster
and easier to share with a large group of users.
Dial-up connection
56K
Bottom line -- modem speeds have pretty much hit the speed limit with 56K modems. In fact, 56K is a little misleading. Due
to FCC regulations, the maximum transmission is more around 53K. If your library needs a faster connection, you will have
to go with a digital connection (i.e. xDSL, ISDN, etc.). However, if you find the right ISP (see article Dial-up Connection Insight for more information on choosing an ISP), and your library doesn't have high access demands, modems may more than fulfill
your needs.
Monthly cost: $12-$30
Speed: Up to 56Kbps
Hardware requirements: 56k modem (approx. $50-$100)
Pros:
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Inexpensive
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Wide availability
Cons:
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Using a modem ties up a phone line
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Connection is not "always on"
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Slower
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One connection per phone line unless additional equipment or software is purchased (depending on version of operating system)
"Always on" connections
ISDN
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is usually considered the next speed step above a 56K modem. Similar to dial-up,
ISDN establishes a connection to your service provider when you access the Internet. However, ISDN circuits are 128K and fully
digital, so the dial-up connection is established almost instantaneously (and you never hear any of those annoying modem sounds).
The speed increase can be substantial; however, ISDN is not a true "always on" connection.
Most ISDN providers will bill your library per-minute charges for the time you spend connected to the Internet. Many people
consider ISDN to be a fading technology. DSL, a faster, more inexpensive alternative has proved to be more popular in areas
where the two technologies are available. Furthermore, ISDN can be problematic to install and troubleshoot. Generally, ISDN
does not allow for the hosting of a Web server.
Monthly cost: Starts at $20-$40 per month plus per-minute charges; depending on usage, total fee can range from $100-$500.
Speed: 64Kbps - 128Kbps
Hardware requirements: For connecting multiple computers: one ISDN router (approx. $400 - $500) and network cards for the PCs (approx. $30-$80 each).
Pros:
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Does not tie up a phone line
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Wide availability
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Usually faster than a 56k modem
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Can also be used for voice communication
Cons:
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ISDN is notoriously difficult to setup
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Outdated
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Per-minute charges are usually applied to this technology
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Many times speeds do not measure up to expectations
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Connections are not “always on”
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Not practical for more than 8 - 10 computers (depending on usage)
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Limited expandability
Frame relay
Frame relay is a connection to the Internet that is owned by the telephone company and shared by many users. Frame relay ISPs
provide a Committed Information Rate (CIR) for the minimum transmission speed they will guarantee, however higher transmission
speeds are temporarily available because the technology used by frame relay is “burstable.” Frame Relay is a very reliable
and stable technology and can be used for direct connections to service providers or building wide area networks (WANs) between
several locations.
Monthly cost: Starts at $200/per month per month (depending on your location); incremental increase of approx. $50 for each additional
256Kbps.
Speed: 64Kbps - 1.54Mbps
Hardware requirements: One router (approx. $2,000) and one CSU/DSU (approx. $1,000).
Pros:
Cons:
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. One company, DirecPC (which is an off-shoot of DirecTV) has taken the lead in the satellite provider playing field. Recently companies have initiated
two-way Internet access through satellite getting rid of their one-way setups (these setups had previously required the use
of an analog modem for making requests). While the performance of these new systems has improved, satellite is still slower
than land-based solutions such as DSL or frame relay due to the high latency times (amount of time to transmit to satellite,
ISP, Web site and back again). Connection speeds seem slower than advertised due to this lag, but are still definitely an
improvement over dial-up. Also, the high latency and asymmetrical nature of the connection makes hosting Web sites unrealistic
due to performance concerns. Also, satellite connections can occasionally be affected by inclement weather.
If you are interested in two-way satellite connectivity and you have multiple PCs at your library, 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: Approx. $50-$75
Speed: Downstream up to 400 Kbps, Upstream is usually limited to a maximum of 128Kbps
Hardware requirements: One satellite dish and satellite modem (approx. $200-$700) plus installation (usually $100)
Pros:
Cons:
For “small business” consumer solutions:
Monthly cost: Approx. $125-$300 (depends on number of seat licenses)
Speed: Downstream up to 600 Kbps (and higher) - Upstream is usually limited to a maximum of 128Kbps
Hardware requirements: One satellite dish and one satellite modem (approx. $600-$800) plus installation (approximately $200). Server-based configurations
can be more expensive (usually over $1000 including the satellite equipment) but are generally better solutions for more than
3 -5 users.
Pros:
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You can access the Internet anywhere that you have a clear southern exposure
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Available almost everywhere
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Small business solutions make it easier to share satellite connection and can also add features or equipment that enhance
satellite performance
Cons:
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Even with small business solutions, not ideal for web hosting
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Upload speed is not nearly as good as download speed
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Very little competition
Cable
Cable connects you to the Internet through a coaxial cable, often using the same line that carries your cable TV service.
While Cable is heavily marketed to home users, for many libraries without DSL or the budget to get T1, it is the only viable
high-speed option. Cable connections offer very high connection speeds, 1 - 2 Mbps, at low costs, however the connection is
a shared one and slower speeds due to congestion sometimes occur. Also, the cable company will usually only provide one IP
address making it necessary to purchase a router to share the connection. Furthermore, you generally can not host Web sites
on cable connections.
Monthly cost: $40-$60
Speed: 500 Kbps to 2 Mbps
Hardware requirements: Cable Modem (approx. $75 to $200) Might need cable router to share connection (approximately $50-$125).
Pros:
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Wide availability
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Relatively inexpensive
Cons:
DSL
xDSL is used to describe several types of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technologies, including Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber
Line (ADSL), which provides different upload and download speeds and is most popular with consumers, andSymmetrical Digital
Subscriber Line (SDSL), which provides the same speed in both directions and is most popular with businesses. In 1999, the
DSL market really took off in many urban areas. Currently, the level of service in different areas can vary greatly (see Marnie
Webb's article Introduction to DSL). If you are looking for a DSL provider, it makes sense to check for further information.
Monthly cost: Starts at approx. $60-$80 for consumer-class DSL (ADSL) or $150 for business-class DSL (SDSL).
Speed: 128Kbps - 1.54Mbps
Hardware requirements:DSL modem -(approximately $50-$200)Forconnecting multiple computers: one DSL router (approx. $300-$500) if connecting multiple
computers and network cards for the PCs (approx. $30-$80 each).
Pros:
Cons:
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Available only in limited areas
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Speed can vary widely
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You must be within a mile or so from the switching site - the farther away you are, the lower the speed that they will be
able to offer you.
T1 (AKA Leased Line)
For large organizations (with some money lying around), a T1 line can be used to connect the whole office to the Internet.
Sometimes referred to as a leased line, T1 is a private, dedicated line that goes directly from your office to your Internet
Service Provider (ISP). If you don't need that much speed, you can purchase a fractional T1 leased line, which is simply a
T1 line split into segments and divided among users. Leased lines provide guaranteed bandwidth, since they are not shared
with other users.
Monthly cost: Approx. $600 - $2,000.
Speed: 64Kbps - 1.54Mbps
Hardware requirements: Two routers (approx. $2,000/each) and two CSU/DSUs (approx. $1,000/each). (Note: ISP may provide one router and one CSU/DSU.)
Pros:
Cons:
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Not available everywhere
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Very expensive
T3
For libraries that need the fastest available connection to the Internet, a leased line connection is also available at T3
speed (45Mbps) or fractional T3 speed (starting at 3Mbps). T3 is primarily used by ISPs.
Monthly cost: Approx. $6,000 -$30,000.
Speed: 3Mbps - 45Mbps
Hardware requirements: Two routers. (Note: ISP may provide one router.)
Pros:
Cons:
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Not available everywhere
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Extremely expensive
Fixed wireless
Fixed wireless uses unlicensed radio bandwidth to transmit data between your library and your service provider. It is possible
to transmit over long distances, 20+ miles, if you have line of sight. The speeds can be high, 10Mbps or greater, and cost
considerably less than the equivalent wired version. However, the initial set-up costs can be prohibitively expensive depending
on the equipment that your ISP requires.
Monthly cost: $50-$150 (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:
Cons:
