Internet Service Providers

Internet connections can be classified according to their speed (bandwidth), the connection type (permanent or temporary) and the physical environment and type of connection (fixed or mobile telephone, ISDN, ADSL, fiber optics ... ). Different combinations of these three parameters determine the connection speed, the price of the service and the services we can assemble.
Connection speed and transfer rate

Internet is a network of data transmission, and thus the connection speed defines the speed of access to their services. The transfer speed is measured in bits or bytes per second, with corresponding scale factors (k = 1,000, Mega = 1,000,000, Giga = 1,000,000,000).
In connection speed must differentiate between the maximum speed of the means by which we connect (connection speed) and the maximum speed of data transmission that provides the service provider.
To communicate with another system, the transfer speed depends on connection speed of each state and all intermediate systems and networks that data must traverse to get from one end to another.
The speed at which we receive the data (transfer rate) changes every time, depending on the state of the network, the ISP provides the service, the number of simultaneous users of the provider of the computer ...
In the case of working from a local area network, we must also distinguish between the speed of connection to equipment and the network connection speed through the Internet connection you have with our organization.

Permanence of the connection

Standby, we refer to the necessity of conducting an operation to provide connection.

1. Permanent connection: a firm or organization contracts with a communications provider (Telefonica, BT, Jazztel ...) a link connected to the Internet. In this way, a network of computers can get all your equipment is permanently integrated into the Internet. This is an expensive solution, to which must have special equipment for communications, but provides higher transfer speeds, and allows its use is shared by more users.

2. Temporary connection in this case, access is contracted with a provider of Internet connection (Teleline, Mundivia, Jazztel ...), which is active only during the time that we make the call. It is oriented to individual users, using a personal computer and a modem, using the basic telephone network (ISDN or if they want better benefits), to establish communication with your provider, and through him, with the Internet.

Almost all providers offer flat-rate connections, ie pay a fee for the connection, regardless of the duration.

The connection is essential if we are to mount an Internet service visible from the outside (eg the website of our company), meaning that other users can access one of our systems regardless of the state of our network or when the day.

Temporary connections used a protocol called PPP (Point to Point Protocol) which is responsible for validating the access name and password) and share any information with our supplier.
Medium Connection

The most common are:
Copper telephone wiring, which can use a standard modem (up to 56 Kbits), an ISDN modem (two lines of 64 K) or a DSL modem (from 256 to 1.2 Mbits).
Coaxial cables or twisted pair, typically used for local area networks (10 or 100 Mits). Also use the metropolitan cable networks, such as ONO.
Fiber optic networks for greater scope in that it allows connections to more speed and greater distance between links.
Price Connection

In the case of permanent connections, the price of the connection depends on the bandwidth requirements (the maximum speed that can communicate via the link, guaranteed minimum speed). Normally you pay a monthly fee for the concepts of physical connection and data flow hired.

Should go to the web pages of information for each provider to learn of the various bids in force in each case.
Supplier Connection

Are companies that provide Internet access. Until recently, it was necessary to pay a monthly fee for access, but today many of them give us free internet access, pay only the telephone call (also offer other services such as email address, space for publish web pages, discussion areas ...).

You can learn how to connect to the following Web addresses:

• JAZZTEL
• ONO
• ORANGE
• TELEPHONE
• TELE2

Elements for the connection
1) Computer and operating system

To connect to the Internet, we need an operating system that provides communications software (TCP / IP, PPP dialup, ...); All versions of Windows, Macintosh and Linux have all the necessary elements to connect, although Linux is a little more complicated by the characteristics of the operating system (however, is the fastest and most efficient of all).
2) Modems

There are two types of modems in terms of its connection to computer, internal or external. The first space-saving and cables, it is only necessary to connect a computer to the phone. However, they may be more complicated to connect and configure because it is necessary to open the computer and available hardware resources (IRQs. ..) for operation.

External modems connect to your computer using a serial port, so its setup is simple and easy to share among multiple computers. But more is needed cables (telephone, computer and power supply).

If basic telephone network connection settings must be at least a 56K modem supports the V.90 standard, approved by a communications company (Telefónica) and ability to update their firmware (the program that operates the internal modem ). In this way we ensure that we can update it in the future.

For ISDN or ADSL modems, the connection will be the provider that we recommend an approved modem.
3) Applications

Each Internet service is an application 'client' which allows to collect data and display them. For example, to visit the many websites available on the Web requires a browser such as Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera, etc ... For all Internet services, there are many versions of clients, free of charge (freeware) assessment must then be paid (shareware) or to pay.

Operating systems Windows, Mac and Linux installed bring more current versions of the most common applications (web, ftp, telnet, irc) so it would be possible to start work immediately. The following directions allow you to download updated versions of almost all the tools.

http://www.shareware.com

http://www.download.com

http://www.winfiles.com

http://www.tucows.com/