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4.1.2.2 Phone Lines


The merit dialup network is a good example. It is an extension of the internet that you can reach by phone.

The phone based connection is slower (about 5 MB/hour peak)

There are a few main types,

SLIP - most common
PPP - also common
ISDN - an faster, more expensive connection, geared to permanent connections

You need a modem in your computer, and you must dial up to another computer that has a modem and is connected to the Internet. The slower of the two modems determines the speed of the connection. Typical modem speeds are,

- 52.4 kbps - very fast
- 28.8/33.3 kbps - moderate speed, inexpensive
- 14.4 kbps - a bit slow for internet access
- 2.4, 9.6 kpbs - ouch
- 300 bps - just shoot me

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