dsl or cable broadband access for enterpriseDSL or Cable: Points to Consider Broadband Access for the Enterprise The Internet has been influencing enterprises for well over a decade and has changed the way business is communicated and conducted. Both DSL and cable are faster than dial-up, but their speed relative to each other depends on a number of factors. It is difficult to conduct It’s often the primary channel through which businesses gather information, communicate with customers and interact with suppliers. a straight comparison, as each situation may have a different result. There are three main elements that determine data transfer speed: As the use of the Internet expands and the demand for high-speed access increases, businesses are looking for cost-effective connection •DSL is affected by the resistance of copper telephone wires and that resistance can attenuate the signal. Due to this attenuation, DSL achieves faster speeds when the end-point is closer to the options for remote workers, satellite offices and traveling employees. Two leading methods for high-speed access are DSL and cable telephone company’s central office. Internet. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a family of technologies that supports high-speed transfer of information over the regular telephone network. •Cable may offer more bandwidth, which gives it a higher upper speed limit. Unlike DSL, cable is not affected by distance, but performance can be degraded by bandwidth sharing. In a given A DSL signal can share a line with a voice signal; therefore, DSL Internet connections do not tie up the phone line the way dial-up connections area, many cable modem users are sharing the same connection, which can lead to latency and bandwidth contention if a large can. There are several different “flavors” of DSL, with the most common being Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) and Symmetric DSL (SDSL). number of cable modem users are simultaneously accessing the Internet. SDSL delivers the same speed for both uploads and downloads; whereas, ADSL can download faster than it can upload. Because most users are more likely to download information from the web than upload large amounts of data, ADSL is a good fit for many businesses. •Both DSL and cable providers may employ bandwidth caps, setting a maximum speed based on how much bandwidth is appropriate. These caps are designed to help ensure that subscribers receive the service and bandwidth purchased. Cable Internet access is a method for delivering data over the coaxial cable networks that were deployed to deliver television signals, As cable’s speed is impacted by a variety of factors, cable’s raw speed advantage is not as dramatic as it appears at first glance. Regardless primarily to residential customers. Like DSL, it requires a special device at the receiving end, known as a cable modem, and is sometimes of the access method, local network and PC performance play a role in the effective speed. More importantly, cable speed varies according called cable modem service. Given its heritage as a residential offering, it’s often sold as an add-on to cable TV. In some locations, tothe number of connections serving a particular geography, the number of users per connection, the number of users who are actually cable may not be available as a stand alone service, at least not at competitive prices. However, since it is associated with cable, it is generally widely available. connected at a given time and the functions users are performing. Due tothese variations, cable may not be as predictable or as Which is Faster? Because they are available at a fraction of the cost of T1 services, both DSL and cable can be a cost effective alternative to more consistent as DSL. The speed and performance of cable Internet access may fluctuate during a typical business day, which can be very frustrating toend users who need more consistent performance. traditional access methods. Speed and cost are two common differentiators between DSL and cable. Other issues that should be considered include installation requirements, security features and customer service. Other Considerations Beyond speed, there are other technological issues to consider when choosing access methods. Cable is a Radio-Frequency (RF) medium, the network is up and running. With cable, there is a risk that actual performance will vary, as well as the risk that it may deteriorate over time as more subscribers are added to the backbone. which potentially makes it vulnerable to transient, “in-network” problems from RF interference. Cable’s upstream path uses a very narrow RF band and there may be restrictions on upstream use. The Internet is moving away from a model in which large, powerful servers Which is Less Expensive? The costs of DSL and cable are roughly equivalent, so neither technology has a dramatic price advantage. Within a given market, support many individual clients. Certain new technologies (such as games, voice and video) have a more collaborative functional model installation and monthly service fees are likely to be similar. Both are generally available with discounts and free installation, especially and need a strong upstream capability. if Internet access is bundled with other offerings. DSL is more “configurable” than cable, since it can generally be purchased at DSL can be easier to install, since most customers already have a telephone line close to where they want a DSL connection. This different price points based on how much bandwidth is required. Cable is generally a flat-rate model, with standard take-it-or-leave-it makes DSL connections more “plug and play,” with the service provider shipping the modem and software for a simple do-it-yourself performance level measures. deployment. With cable, new wiring may need to be installed which may require a third party contractor. What is the Right Choice? Neither DSL nor cable is automatically the right choice for network access. Data transfer rates will depend on physical factors, as well DSL is considered more secure, since it uses a dedicated connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). As a shared medium, cable is more as on ISP policies and defined/desired performance levels. The right access choice is a function of location, availability and susceptible to eavesdropping and service theft. However, DSL is still an “always on” connection. DSL customers need to understand service offerings. security implications and install an appropriate software- or hardware- based firewall and/or other security measures. DSL is a good option for facilities that are close to the service provider’s central office. Newer technologies, such as Very High DSL is a more consistent service. Since the signal travels on a dedicated connection from the user’s location to the ISP, it’s not Bit-Rate DSL (VDSL), may improve the distance issue. VDSL is expected to provide more bandwidth and speed than either cable or standard DSL offerings, making DSL potentially more flexible for future growth. affected by the behavior of other customers. Whatever bandwidth has been achieved upon installation, it will always be available as long as |
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