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Today a lot of people all over the world connect to the Internet with DSL. DSL or Digital Subscriber Line is the preferred method of connecting to the Internet as it offers high speeds and better reliability over the old dial-up methods of the past. Despite its prevalence, not many people are familiar with what it is.

 

DSL is the generic term use for this method of connecting to the Internet. Most home users are probably more familiar with the terms ADSL and a few select individuals may even have heard of SDSL. The difference between these different technologies is how the line communicates with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that allows you to surf the net.

 

The acronym, DSL, describes the nature of the line. It is digital. It allows the transfer of digital data over a normal telephone network. The secret lies in the terminal adaptor – also known as a DSL modem. This adaptor converts data from a digital format into analogue voltage signals that can then be communicated across the wires of the telephone network. This adaptor also converts the received analogue voltage signals back to digital when the computer receives information.

 

But what is the difference between DSL, ADSL and SDSL? The different acronyms refer to how the information is communicated. As said before, DSL is the generic term used to refer to the technology as a whole. The ‘A’ in ADSL stands for asynchronous. This is because the data stream for uploads is not the same as the data stream for downloads. For home users, most ISP’s have a much higher download rate than upload rate, around 1 Mb/sec versus about 384 kb/sec. For most users this is satisfactory.

 

Synchronous DSL (SDSL) has the same rate in both directions. This connection tends to be more expensive and is used most often by companies that work on and with the internet on a daily basis. For the average home user, this form of DSL is not really worthwhile as normal surfing does not require many uploads to take place.

 

Aside from the speed of the connection, DSL also allows users to use the telephone line for normal calls while they are using the internet. This is because the frequency used by data is different from the data used by normal voice telephone systems. A filter is required to split the two frequencies. Frequencies under 4 khz are voice frequencies and those over are data frequencies. These filters are placed where the phone connects to the telephone line.

 

Almost anyone can have the speed and convenience of a DSL line in their home or office. The technology associated with DSL lines has advanced so far that a specialised technician is not even necessary anymore to install the router (or DSL gateway) into your home. DSL is the best way to surf the net and now it is even easier to get the speed you need to keep up.

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