Streamyx

The computer certainly has seen its fair share of changes. Well, I guess I should actually say the PC and Mac. Regardless of what you prefer in computer finery, you are no doubt finding value now. Since the mid-nineties, many of us have gotten used to the idea of having a computer in our homes. We may have started with those dinosaur-looking desktop computers that came with space consuming towers and television size monitors, but they surely don't look like that anymore. The same case can be made for modern day Internet service. It's even hard to remember those dinosaur dial-ups. There is a new king and it is cable high speed Internet.

Which Internet service provider are you using? Are you a fan of DSL or cable high speed Internet? These choices are a recent phenomonom. There is a fierce battle for customers. For the consumer it is quite simple: who has the best deal? Cable high speed Internet is certainly the choice of most because it is the fastes and most reliable to date, but it can also be expensive. Being a subscriber of cable high speed Internet myself, I can tell you that I have pretty much tried them all. I began with Time-Warner, but hoped for something faster.

Then came Comcast after I relocated to a different state. I was satisfied with their service overall. More recently I relocated again. This is when I decided to give the local cable high speed Internet service a shot. To put it mildly, I was disappointed. I think it was the high prices that soured me. Paying more is no fun. Shortly after acquiring this new service, I decided to switch back to Time-Warner, which was cheaper and offered the same service.

For anyone still using dial-up, well, I feel your pain. Dial-up has certainly outlasted its usefulness. Why even bother with that horrific sound and turtle-like speed when you could be enjoying cable high speed Internet at a decent price? But then again, it is better than nothing. If you have the means then I suggest you try switching to cable high speed Internet. It isn't really all that expensive. I really can't put my stamp of approval on DSL Internet service either. Once again, it's rather slow. Do yourself a favor and check out cable high speed Internet. You'll be glad you did.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning the Internet. Get the information you are seeking by visiting Cable High Speed Internet Service

Looking for bandwidth? That can be a daunting and frustrating task even in the best of situations. There's lots to consider in order to make the right decision for your needs. Below you'll find some help when evaluating Frame Relay vs VPN. Factors covered include Technology, Speed, Description, Application, Pros, Cons, and Costs.

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Technology: Frame Relay

Speed: 56 Kbps - 1.544 Mbps

Description: A high-speed, packet based, data transmission service used in wide area networks (WANs) to connect multiple locations.

Application: Used to connect multiple locations to a main location or to each other.

Pros: Cheaper alternative to private line connections. Ability to burst when needed. Widely available.

Cons: Up-front equipment cost can be prohibitive.

Costs: Frame relay monthly cost starts at around a few $100 per location for a stable, reliable system. Price climbs as speed increases. However....the pricing for these connections varies widely depending on the carrier, location of service and the application for which the connection is being used.

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Technology: VPN

Speed: 56 Kbps - 1.544 Mbps

Description: VPN is a software-defined network that runs over a shared public network and offers the appearance, functionality and usefulness of a dedicated private network, at a price savings.

Application: A highly flexible method of communicating between locations via a secure tunnel on a large public network. Is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to Frame Relay and Private Line.

Pros: A user can access the network from any Internet connection. VPNs often cost less and are more flexible and scaleable than competing technologies.

Cons: The availability and performance of a company's WAN is largely dependant on factors outside of their control.

Costs: VPN prices mirror that of dial-up or dedicated Internet Access. Cost of the VPN tunneling and encrypting is nominal. Expect to spend a few $100 at least for a stable, reliable system.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFireCommunications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.