Sidebar: Getting Connected

There are a number of ways to gain access to the Internet, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, the type of connection you choose depends largely on what you and your company wish to achieve. If all you need is to exchange e-mail with other Internet users and you are operating on a tight budget, you may be satisifed with some form of dial-up access. On the other hand, if you want access to the full spectrum of services available to members of the Internet community, a dedicated connection is certainly the way to go. The following information describes some of the available methods of connection, approximate associated costs, necessary hardware and software, and various advantages and disadvantages worthy of consideration.

The cost information provided here is approximate and based on information obtained from the providers listed below. It does not include telephone company charges, or charges for leased lines. Startup costs do not include any hardware or software which you may need to purchase to become "Internet ready." Services offered by each provider vary widely. You should check with each provider to find the service that's right for you.

Dial Up

With dial-up access, your computer does not typically get its own Internet address. Instead, you are buying access on a computer operated by the service provider, and you gain access to the Internet from there. You simply connect to that computer using your modem, log in, and you're all set. Rates are reasonable, and usually are based on flat fee. There may also be fees based on connect time. You'll want a high-speed modem, at least 9600 baud. Great for home users whose needs are limited.

Fees: Startup (one time): $0-$19 Recurring (monthly): $9-$45 Connect Time (hourly): $2.00-$8.50

SLIP/PPP

SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) and PPP (Point to Point Protocol) services will bring you all the resources the Internet has to offer. Using normal voice quality phone lines, and a high-speed modem (V.32 or V.32bis), your computer (or every computer on your LAN) can have its own Internet address and access to the Internet through the system to which the modem is connected. This type of connection is usually offered on a demand (as needed) basis, where your modem dials the nearest connection point, or on a dedicated basis, where you use a leased line that is always connected. SLIP or PPP software will be required for your host computer. Versions of these software packages are available for many UNIX systems in the public domain. Service providers may provide you with this software, or help you find it. Not recommended for high traffic or interactive use. If your primary needs are for email, USENET news, and ftp in low volume, this is a good, fairly low-cost solution.

Fees: Startup (one time): $300-$1500 Recurring (monthly): $175-$275

Dedicated (leased) Line

Line speeds typically are 56kbs (kilobits per second) and T1 (approximately 1.5 Mega bits per second), and are dedicated digital quality lines typically leased from the local phone company or from companies such as Sprint or MCI. This requires a more substantial investment in hardware, including a router and a curiously named device called a CSU/DSU. This type of connection also gives you access to all the Internet services, from every node on your local network. This is how you'll want to go if you expect heavy interactive use, such as telnet or rlogin sessions to remote locations. Note, though, that a 56kbs line can be a bit unfriendly to this type of activity when traffic gets heavy.

Fees: Startup (one time): $2,000-$5,000 Recurring (monthly): 56kbs: $425-$1,800 T1: $1,025-$3,000

Service Providers

PSI, Inc. Suite 1100 11800 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 22091 Phone: 1-(800)-82-PSI-82 Email: info@psi.com

UUNET Technologies, Inc. Suite 570 3110 Fairview Park Dr. Falls Church, VA 22042 Phone: 1-800-4-UUNET-3 Email: alternet-info@uunet.uu.net

Advanced Network and Services (ANS) Suite 220 1875 Campus Commons Dr. Reston, VA 22091 Phone: 1-800-456-8267 Email: info@ans.com

NETCOM On-Line Communications Services 4000 Moorpark Ave., Suite 200 San Jose, CA 95117 Phone: 1-800-501-8649 Email: info@netcom.com