The word modem is actually an acronym for MODulator-DEModulator and is a device that accepts digital dataand converts it into modulated analog waves that can betransferred over normal telephone lines.
Earlier modems were analog,meaning that the digitaldata coming from our computers must be convertedto analog signals so that it can travel through the phonelines.This is the job of the modem.
The Modem at the other end that receives the data converts it back into digital signals used by the PC atthe other end.Digital phone lines are here and the DSLmodem alone with the Cable modem are really digitaldevices.
The quality of internet connection you experience reallydepends on several factors.The quality of your phoneline is one consideration.Poor phone line materialmay result in a noisy phone line resulting in very poordata transfer and your modem disconnecting fromthe Internet often.
Other problems with the phone wiring at your locationmay be bad phone jacks,wet lines when the lines are not buried.This may be especially noticable on rainy orsnowy days.
THE TYPES OF MODEMS
Modems come as an external device that sit on yourdesk or the enternal models that resemble an adaptercard and fit into an empty expansion slot at the rearof the system unit.
One of the earlier modems used was the 14.4 kilobitsper second in 1991 and in 1994 came the 28.8kpsmodems which were extremely slow compared to today'sfaster dialups and high speed internet modems.
The 56k modem came with new standards and weremuch faster than the 28.8 units.The term 56k is usedto describe the two technologies that transfer data atrate of 56k bps or bit per second.
The V90 Modem became the standard compatibilityfor the various 65k modems.This technology is idealfor internet users with dial-up connections becauseit speeds the downloading of web pages with sound,video,and other large files.
Then came the rather fast DSL Modem with internetaccess speeds up to 1.5Mbps and higher.DSL standsfor Digital Subscriber Line,a service provided by some telephone companies.
The phone company must install a special jack nearyour computer order for you to connect to the Internet.Your computer will need to have a NIC or NetworkInterface Card installed in an empty expansion slotin your system unit as well.
Generally speaking,you should be living within 3 to 5miles of a company's office to be able to access the DSL service.Both the DSL and Cable modemswill need a Cat5 Cable connected from the modemto the NIC card to allow the transfer of data.
The Cat5 Cable or Category 5 Cable looks like an oversized dial up modem cable.This cable containsfour pairs of copper wire and supports a fast 100Mbpsand soon the more advanced Cat6 cables will be onthe market.
The new Cable Modem connects to your televisioncable to provide you with very fast Internet access.With Cable Modems,your bandwidth is decided bycompany providing the service.Bandwidth is datathat is transferred over a fixed time period.
DIFFERENT MODEM SPEEDS
For dialup modems,if you experience slower connectionsthan the modem's rating,the most likely culprit is yourhome's phone line quality.There are some softwarethat will try to boost your dialup speeds.
About the fastest way to determine if your phone is theproblem,find someone that has a modem like yours with the same rating.Ask to connect your modem tohis system and if your modem's connection is higher,the phone line at your residence is of poor quality.
The Cable Modem speed is almost 100 times fasterthan that of the dialup modem.As if that's not enough,the data line is on 24 hours a day,unless some typeof maintenance is required.
The DSL Modem is said to be over 50 times fasterthan the dialup modem.Both cable and dsl modemsare more costly but in all cases will be more than worthit,depending on what you plan to do on the Internet.
You will experience the Internet like you never thoughtpossible if you invest in the faster dsl or cable modemand connection.Learn every aspect of these modemsand once you experience these connections,you justmay be hooked for life.