Need Help with Broadband terminology and PC parts.

[boldy]

Hi everyone,

I have a really burning question, what is really needed to get broadband, namely ADSL connection? I have asked my ISP, they can connect for me the ADSL, except that they can't and won't provide the hardware necessary to carry out the task.

What do i need actually? a DSL modem? or a ethernet 10/100T PCI card? I'm quite confused to what are the requirements(My ISP is no help either, no response from the tech support staff for days). My local store sells DSL modem without a ATM card. What is ATM and Ethernet connections, does it affects the way the ADSL works?

I know that i sound confused, but the truth is, i'm really a confused person at this point of time.

From,
boldy

 

[rlism]

You definitely need some kind of DSL modem... must support ADSL. I'm not sure what an ATM card is (the thing you stick in the ATM machine?) but ATM in DSL terminology stands for Asynchronus Transfer Mode? which I think is necessary for ADSL.

Some of these modems have 10/100 (sometimes just 10base) interface out to your computer so you'll need a network card too. Some ADSL modems use a USB interface so you can just plug it right into your USB port. Your OS/computer must support USB obviously.

 

[Big Lar]

Who is your intended service provider for DSL? That does make a difference. Some recognize certain equipment, that others do not. However, in the Long run, for a single connection, an NIC card of the 10/100 persuasion, and an External Modem, such as the Westell are the way to go, The Usb modems are a royal Pain , as the Latency of them are bad, and too much software for them, the Internals, such as the 3060 models have a tendency to crap out ahead of thier time. If you are hooking up to Multiple Computers, of course a Router would be the way to go in that case. For alot more info, cruise over to www.dslreports.com and browse around there.

 

[Nih]

Atm is a dedicated oc3 connection, (i think) which you don't have to worry about.
One thing that should concern you , before you purchase anything, is how far you are from your isp's connecting hub. Since the further away you are the worse/slower your connection is going to be.
*Also* ATM connection is kinda like a live dedicated feed, ie.. simulcasting/video

 

[osage]

you may want to post in the network forum, those guys know this stuff inside and out.

 

[chasm22]

I would suggest that you try http://www.dslreports.com/ for more information or ask in the network forum.

If your ISP won't help you at this stage, what would happen if you had trouble in the future. I would suggest that you need to shop around for a different provider, if possible. Someone who could provide you with tech support. If they can't even tell you what you need to do to get connected, I would think long and hard about using them for a dsl provider.