Commonly referred to as ISP, Internet Service Providers are companies that provide internet access to its customers. ISP uses Data transmission technology suitable for delivering IP datagram's such as wireless, DSL, cable modem and dial-up to connect to its clients. They may also use high speed dedicated interconnects.
Here is a gist of all the things that a conventional ISP may provide and the techniques with which it may connect its customers to the web:
E-mail Accounts
This is the commonest of all services provided by an internet service provider.
Connecting End Users to the Web
End users may be individuals using the internet at home or at work. ISPs used different services to connect both of them.
Home User Connections
These include Dialup, DSL and broadband wireless access, Cable, FTTH, ISDN and Wi-fi.
Dial-up
This is the process of accessing the net over phone lines. This requires the user (whose computer needs to be attached to a modem connected to a phone line) to dial into the
internet service provider
node to get a modem to modem link.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
This is a process of sending and receiving data over a network of telephone lines. DSL can be used at the same time and on the same line as your telephone. This is owing to the fact that the DSL technology employs the use of high frequency bands while regular phone uses low frequency bands.
A DSL is way faster than a Dial-up connection and its speed may range from anywhere between 256 kilobits per second to 24,000 kilobits per second.
Most home ISPs employ the use of ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber line) whose upload speed is relatively lower than download speeds.
Business Connections
These include:
Wireless Broadband
Wireless Broadband, also referred to as WiBB, is a technology that's recently gained popularity owing to steep price cuts. It provides high speed wireless net access as well as data network access.
Wireless broad band provides unmatched upload as well as download speeds. The download speed may go upto as high as 100 megabits per second.
Mobile wireless broadband is another, fairly recent technology and allows customers to access high speed Internet on the move through PDAs; GPRS enabled cell phones and various other Wi-Fi devices.
SHDSL
Generally unheard of, Single-pair High Speed Digital Subscriber Line enables super fast data transfer through the use of copper phone lines.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a networking technology for local area networks. It is perfect for both small as well as large organisations that need to communicate within the organisation.
Ethernet is a complicated subject. You will need to go online for details on specific terms or refer to some books on internet and networking.
