Mathnet provides many services that are available to anyone with Internet access. Mathnet does not, however, provide offsite Internet access. Internet access is provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs): independent local ISPs, telephone companies, cable companies, and PSU's ITS. The CSG can only answer general questions about offsite Internet access and make general recommendations. For specific questions about how exactly to make use of or troubleshoot a particular ISPs service, you should contact the ISP.

Types of Internet Access

There are basically four types of internet access commonly available:

DSL and Cable (aka Broadband)

The ISP will provide you with a "black box" (they might call it a modem, but it's not) with an ethernet port and a port that connects to your phone line or your cable connection.

Exactly how you go about connecting to the service provider varies from provider to provider. It is common for providers to use PPPoE (PPP over Ethernet) to provide connectivity. Normally, you don't have to worry about how the ISP provides connectivity because the ISP will provide software or a router that requires only minimal configuration.

ITS does not provide DSL/Cable connectivity.

dial-up PPP

The ISP provides a dial-up number and a username/password. You may need to manually configure a nameserver address provided by your ISP. You will have to configure a PPP client with the username/password/number provided by your ISP.

PPP clients are available for all modern operating systems. Usually, PPP clients are distributed as part of the OS. The exact methods of configuring a dial-up PPP connection vary from client to client. Your ISP will be able to provide instructions for connecting to their network. Your OS/PPP client documentation probably has general instructions for making PPP connections.

ITS offers dial-up PPP.

dial-up login

Using terminal software you dial a number on a modem and login directly to a remote server. This was very common in the pre-PPP era. It is not a commonly offerred service today.

wireless

There are many areas on and off campus with active wireless networks. In this case, the owners of the wireless access point are acting as an ISP and will be the only ones that can tell you how to connect.

In many cases, however, the spots are public and connecting is simply a matter of setting up your wireless card to join the wireless network and configuring your computer to obtain an address via DHCP.

There are other methods of connecting (e.g., frame relay, ISDN, T1) but they are not commonly offered by ISPs.

Comparing Types of Internet Access

• Broadband connections provide much higher bandwidth and much lower latency than dial-up PPP connections.
• Broadband connections are not available everywhere.
• ISPs usually charge more for broadband connections than for dial-up PPP.
• Dial-up PPP connections can be used from anywhere. Most ISP's that offer Dial-up PPP will offer some sort of roaming plan that allows you to call a local number almost anywhere in the US. Some will provide access via an 800 number (usually charging per minute)
• On an unloaded fiber loop, Cable has more downstream bandwidth than DSL.
• DSL scales better than cable. Each home has a copper line that connects directly to the DSL provider's equipment. All cable users on the same fiber share a finite amount of bandwidth. If a fiber becomes congested. the cable company cannot increase the available bandwidth without significant capital expenditure.

Recommendations

A computer directly connected to an ISP's network is, like any computer connected to the Internet, vulnerable to attack. Any such computer should be protected by anti-virus software and should only provide the TCP/IP services needed to function as intended.

If possible, avoid connecting your computer directly to your ISP's network. Instead use a router that does Network Address Translation (NAT). Most ISPs will offer a router (for a premium) when you sign up for their service. You can also purchase routers and switches that will work with most ISPs at various computer/electronic stores.

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