Home and Office Internet Connectivity
If you're using your home phone line for internet connection, it's likely that you're connected to an ADSL line (Asymmetric DSL) but there are other variants of DSL that may be available in your area, with VDSL currently being rolled out across the UK offering much higher upload and download speeds.Whats DSL
Prior to DSL, most home users had dial-up internet, using a Modem and a connection of up-to 56 kbits/second. This tied up the line with data transmissions in the audible frequencies, if you were on the internet and someone picked up a handset on the line, they would hear squeaks and cracking as the data was sent and received. The infrastructure that makes up the telephone network was designed to carry only data in the audible frequencies, however the wires that actually connected the various parts of the Telephone Network (called the PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network) were capable of transmitting a much wider bandwidth.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a data connection that uses the frequencies outside the audible range. To make use of this previously unused bandwidth the exchanges were upgraded with technology to send and receive data over the same cables to your home, but at this higher frequency. The DSL switches at the local exchange (Called DSLAM) are then connected outside of the telephone network to the internet, meaning that the connection can be always on and not tie-up the PSTN. This way it can be left 'open' or in use, while you simultaneously use the phone to make voice calls.
At the consumer end, the DSL modem is connected via a filter that splits the voice data from the internet data. The DSL modem then sends the internet data via your homes network to the laptops, smartphones, TV and any other IoT connected devices.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a data connection that uses the frequencies outside the audible range. To make use of this previously unused bandwidth the exchanges were upgraded with technology to send and receive data over the same cables to your home, but at this higher frequency. The DSL switches at the local exchange (Called DSLAM) are then connected outside of the telephone network to the internet, meaning that the connection can be always on and not tie-up the PSTN. This way it can be left 'open' or in use, while you simultaneously use the phone to make voice calls.
At the consumer end, the DSL modem is connected via a filter that splits the voice data from the internet data. The DSL modem then sends the internet data via your homes network to the laptops, smartphones, TV and any other IoT connected devices.
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| With more connected devices in the home, having a reliable and fast home connection is becoming more and more important. |
xDSL variants and features
As with all evolving technology, boffins quickly worked out other ways to squeeze more data into the available bandwidth, and a family of DSL connections sprang to life catering for homes that were further away from the exchange, or in rural areas where the exchange was not updated with new technology as quickly as more urbanised areas.
| xDSL Variant | Max Download Speed (Receiving data) | Max Upload Speed (Sending data) | Max Distance (From exchange) | Notes |
| IDSL ISDN-DSL (Integrated Services Digital Network) | 144 Kbps | 144 Kbps | 35,000 ft | Requires a single dedicated phone line. Can make use of pre-installed ISDN lines and equipment. |
| HDSL High bit-rate DSL | 1.54 Mbps | 1.54 Mbps | 12,000 ft | Requires two dedicated phone lines. Receives and sends data over separate lines at a fixed speed, roughly the same speed as a T1 line. |
| MSDSL Multirate Symmetric DSL | 2 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 29,000 ft | Requires a dedicated phone line and offers a choice of data rate set by the provider. |
| SDSL Symmetric DSL | 2.3 Mbps | 2.3 Mbps | 22,000 ft | Requires a dedicated phone line for sending and receiving data. Data speeds are the same for upload and download. |
| RSDSL Rate Adaptive DSL | 7 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 18,000 ft | Can be used with existing phone lines, the speed of this connection will adapt to the conditions on the line. |
| ADSL Asymmetric DSL | 8 Mbps | 800 Kbps | 18,000 ft | Can run over most standard home phone lines. The download speed is higher than the upload speed. Ideal for most home users. |
| VDSL Very high bit-rate DSL | 52 Mbps | 16 Mbps | 4,000 ft | Can be used on a standard phone line (if it's connected to a VDSL exchange) and offers much greater upload and download speeds. |
Home internet connection
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| You may be on a superfast broadband, but does it feel that way? |
Getting the fast back into your superfast network
Business networks and home networks are getting closer and closer in design and use, with IoT devices being connected to home networks and more people choosing to work from home, the humble 'home broadband' is no longer suitable in lots of cases.
If you rely on your home network to be running at it's best, there are two key areas to assess. First of all, are you on the best broadband package? If you do work from home, consider a business class package that offers lower contention ratios, or if it's available in your area upgrade to a faster DSL connection. Secondly have a look at the home side of the network. If you are mostly WiFi based make sure your wireless access point is not being blocked by dense walls or other frequency zapping materials. Check that you are not overloading the WiFi with too many connected devices and that and cables are in good condition and not excessively long, and also check your DSL/WiFi access point's settings to make sure you are running up-to-date firmware and have the best configuration possible.
For businesses who are suffering internet fatigue, many of the same pinch points exist. Overloaded wireless access points, poorly configured firewalls and routers, and hardware issues can all add to an overloaded connection. Add to that any remotely accessible servers, remote users connecting to the company network and and branch-office connections and it is very clear that business networks need to be running in prime condition 24/7
If you rely on your home network to be running at it's best, there are two key areas to assess. First of all, are you on the best broadband package? If you do work from home, consider a business class package that offers lower contention ratios, or if it's available in your area upgrade to a faster DSL connection. Secondly have a look at the home side of the network. If you are mostly WiFi based make sure your wireless access point is not being blocked by dense walls or other frequency zapping materials. Check that you are not overloading the WiFi with too many connected devices and that and cables are in good condition and not excessively long, and also check your DSL/WiFi access point's settings to make sure you are running up-to-date firmware and have the best configuration possible.
For businesses who are suffering internet fatigue, many of the same pinch points exist. Overloaded wireless access points, poorly configured firewalls and routers, and hardware issues can all add to an overloaded connection. Add to that any remotely accessible servers, remote users connecting to the company network and and branch-office connections and it is very clear that business networks need to be running in prime condition 24/7
Network Review
If reviewing your business or home network is something you'd like help with, give us a call and book a network review. We can test your network on both sides of your internet connection and help configure your internet connection to give you the best possible speeds.
- A home network review will cost £75 but book one before September 30th 2016 and mention this blog post to get a £25 discount.
- Business network reviews are based on your network complexity so please phone for a quote, book before September 30th 2016 and mention this blog post to get a 15% discount.
tinsleyNET IT Services Consultant
IT Support for small to medium sized businesses, home office workers and home users
across the West Midlands and Shropshire.
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