The Eclipse Guide to Connectivity

The days of dial-up are gone - it no longer takes 20 minutes, an unplugged phone line and a barrel full of white noise to access the Internet. But what's the difference between ADSL and SDSL? And should you be concerned about uncontended bandwidth or POP proximity?

The Eclipse Guide to Connectivity will explain it all...

BROADBAND: THE BASICS

Dial-up: one computer, one modem, one phone line - plug the three together and the web was yours. Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple, with slow speeds and unreliable service frustrating many users - especially those in the business sector.

The beginning of the 21st Century saw the introduction of broadband Internet access to combat these problems. By setting up a dedicated connection for accessing the Internet (as opposed to sharing the same connection as your phone line), broadband offers faster speeds and a more stable performance - and you're able to use your phone at the same time as you're online.

Web pages load more quickly, emails with attachments are easily sent, and you can watch video clips, download large files, and use multiple applications online. A dedicated line also means an Internet connection that is always on - at any time of day or night.

BROADBAND: GETTING STARTED

The first step to setting up a broadband connection is finding an ISP (Internet Service Provider). Compare the prices and packages of several suppliers and opt for the one which best suits how you use the Internet.

On signing with a supplier, they will take you through the set-up process and in many cases provide you with both the hardware and software you will need to start. Many ISPs send out step-by-step instruction guides for you to follow.

Before you get connected, it is important to decide which kind of broadband connection you want. If you work in an area that already has a network of cable connections you may be able to receive your broadband through this. Otherwise, you simply have to decide whether you want an ADSL or an SDSL connection:

ADSL

ADSL is more commonly referred to as 'broadband'. By splitting your existing BT phone line with a microfilter (a small plastic device, usually supplied by your ISP) and adding a modem/router, you will be able to have an ADSL internet connection. ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. By splitting the line your voice calls and Internet access will run separately, so there is no need to get an extra phone line.

SDSL

An SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is similar to an ADSL service, but whereas ADSL connections can download data from the Internet faster than they can upload it, SDSL connections can upload and download at the same speeds. To enable this, SDSL lines need a separate phone line to the one you use for voice calls, but they are an ideal option for businesses who need to share large amounts of data speedily.

LEASED LINES: THE BASICS

A leased line (also known as a point-to-point or private circuit) is a connection that runs directly between two locations - the customer and the service provider's network. Because it is private, a leased line offers a high performance connection. It is always active and because it is not shared by any other users, offers dedicated guaranteed bandwidth. Leased lines are rented on an annual basis and customers pay a premium for them because they are backed up by a Service-Level Agreement (SLA). These agreements offer compensation in certain circumstances for customers who experience problems with their service.

Leased lines are ideal for businesses that need guaranteed Internet access 24/7 - for example, those that need to run critical applications. Find out more about Leased Lines.

LEASED LINES: GETTING STARTED

A leased line can be a big investment, so you should look closely at the current and future needs of your business before seeking quotes from several providers.

The proximity of your ISP's nearest Point of Presence (POP) can have an effect on the price which you pay, and both support and service levels can vary between providers.

To set-up a leased line connection, equipment will need to be installed at your business, and there may be a need to install a local connection (usually provided by a carrier such as BT, NTL or KCOM Group) to link it to your ISP's local POP.

Once your service is set-up, your connection's bandwidth can be tailored to suit your specific needs - anything from 64 Kbps to 1 Gbps. Find out more about Leased Lines.

CHECKLIST

Whichever ISP you opt for, they should help you choose a connection that's right for you, but there are several things you should consider:

BANDWIDTH

Do you need to send large amounts of data such as image-heavy documents or pdfs, or do you mainly send simple text files?

EMPLOYEES

Do you have large numbers of employees who need online access, or are there just a few of you?

LOCATION

Are all your employees office-based or do you have home and mobile workers as well?

USAGE

Are online applications at the core of your business, or does the majority of your work take place offline?

GROWTH

Do you see your business suddenly expanding, or staying more or less the same size?

GEOGRAPHY

Are you close to a telephone exchange or are you based in a remote location?

Is Internet usage critical to your business - do you need online access 24/7?

FUTURE

Could your business move in a different direction, or will your needs stay roughly the same?

PRIVACY

A direct, dedicated connection to the internet that is tailored to your needs

RELIABILITY

Your SLA guarantees that if your connection doesn't deliver your business will be financially compensated

FLEXIBILITY

The option to upgrade and downgrade your bandwidth according to your needs

But it is worth considering that leased lines:

• Can be expensive, although prices are becoming consistently lower
• Can take up to 45 working days to set-up
• Can depend on your proximity to an ISP's POP

YOUR CONNECTIVITY: YOUR CHOICE

Your connection choice will depend on your business's specific business needs - whether you just want web browsing and basic email, need video conferencing and hosted applications, or are looking for something in between:

Match your business needs to the correct connection type

We can offer you all of the services shown below, so just choose the right connection type to suit your needs.