ADSL Broadband InternetBroadband Internet connections using DSL/ADSL is fast becoming the most common way of connecting to the Internet. DSL comes in two forms:
ADSL BroadbandThe main connection mechanism for home users/small businesses is ADSL and is provided over the existing telephone line. However before you can connect you need to check with your local telephone company that your telephone line is capable of receiving broadband. If so, then you need to sign up for a broadband account with a ADSL broadband provider (ISP). Most people use BT as the telephone provider. However just because BT provides the telephone line it doesn't mean that you have to get your broadband service from them. Other Companies (ISPs) can use the existing telephone line to provide you with broadband services. With this arrangement it is possible to have the physical telephone line provided by BT, use another company for your telephones services over this line and yet another for your broadband services. Having said that I like it simple and use BT for all my services. See BT total Broadband review. 
There are two scenarios that need to be considered- a single computer and several computers. Connecting a Single computer or deviceA Single computer or device is connected to the Internet usually using a USB port (UK), Ethernet port (NA) connected to a DSL modem, which in turn connects (via a filter) to the telephone line as shown in the schematic below:
Usually the ISP provides the DSL modem and filter which you plug into the USB port (UK) (or Ethernet port see notes) on the computer and the other end into the phone line (via a DSL filter). The DSL filter allows you to use the telephone and broadband simultaneously. It effectively stops the broadband signal interfering with the telephone and vice versa. This arrangement is not really common today. If you use it then make sure that you implement a firewall on your computer (windows XP has an inbuilt one). Connecting 2 or more Computers or Devices This is typical when connecting a network of computers to the internet. For small /SOHO networks the router also functions as a mini hub/switch allowing you to connect multiple computers (usually 4). In larger networks or when connecting existing networks the hub/switch is usually separate. So we have the following two typical network configurations:
Here the router has an integrated hub or supports wireless access (most common today)
It is important to note that the wireless connection exists between the router and your computers and not between your computers and the Internet. Where x can be anything but is usually 8 maximum (Ethernet) and over 200 for wireless access. Again the router connects to a DSL filter and then the telephone line which connects to the Internet. In most modern setups the hub, router and DSL modem are contained in a single box and not as three separate components as depicted in the diagram above
What is RequiredThis actually varies and depends on the connection method chosen. But you must have these:
and these depending on the configuration:
See Notes below ------------- ADSL SpeedsSpeeds vary according to supplier and package options. BT packages currently have a download speed of 8 Mbit/s (BT UK) and 256 kbits/s upload speed. Even though the upload speed can be much lower than the download speed it is still 5 times faster than a standard analogue modem. Speed TestingMany broadband sites offer a speed testing facility were you can test your Internet speed. It should be noted that regardless of how fast your connection speed is you will always be restricted by the overall speed on the Internet.
---------------- Notes: *- If you use a router/modem combination then you need an Ethernet port. Also In North America the DSL modems also may have Ethernet ports and not USB ports. In the UK DSL modems have USB connections that are meant to connect to a computer/laptop. **If the DSL modem (north America normally) has an Ethernet connection (RJ45) then it can connect into a hub, router or directly into an Ethernet port of the computer. *** This note is for UK users. If your ISP has provided a modem with a USB connector, then you cannot connect it to a router (needs Ethernet connection-RJ45). Therefore if you want to connect more than one computer you will need to purchase a separate router/modem combination and the supplied modem will not be used. **** Cables- North America telephone cables use RJ11 connectors and sockets on both ends of the cable. UK telephone cables have a BT connector on the end that connects to
the telephone socket and a RJ11 connector on the end that connects to the modem. ----------------
Case StudiesIf you are not sure which connection type you should use then take a look at the Home Network Planning and Setup case studies: Related Articles and Resources:
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