DSL Hardware Tips
Read these 7 DSL Hardware Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Broad Band tips and hundreds of other topics.
DSL Modem
A DSL Modem is an absolutely necessary piece of DSL hardware. Although DSL signals are transmitted over you phone line, a conventional dial-up or 56k modem can not read them and relay the signal to your computer. DSL modems vary in price from around 50 dollars to nearly 200. Fortunately, most DSL providers include a modem as part of their installation or monthly service fee. Some even allow you to upgrade to more expensive modems at a discounted price.
DSL Router Advantages
More DSL hardware tips: Unlike a DSL wireless hub, DSL routers force you to have wires connecting your computer to the router at all times. Though this limits the mobility of your machine, it generally makes for a faster connection, because the signal will be equally strong almost regardless of how far away from the router it is. Also, unlike signals from a DSL wireless hub, signals from a DSL router a very secure - no one can just come along and pick your internet signal from this piece of broadband DSL hardware out the air. This reduces the risk of identity theft and prevents third parties from using your DSL signal to commit illegal acts online.
DSL Wireless Hub
A DSL wireless hub is a piece of broadband hardware that would be more accurately described as a DSL wireless router. Similar to a non-wireless DSL router, a DSL wireless hub takes an incoming signal and reroutes it to multiple computers. The difference with a DSL wireless hub is that rather than split the signal, it broadcasts it out in radio waves. Any computer with a wireless card can receive this signal and use it to connect to the internet. This is an easy and wire-free way to provide internet access throughout your house.
DSL Wireless Hub Advantages
Because the signal from a DSL wireless hub is broadcast evenly over a given radius, depending on the size of your home, you can get probably get wireless internet access in every room. This is a great advantage if you have a laptop computer and want to look up a recipe online in the kitchen, or if you want to have a number of friends over to play an online game. Though the signal weakens as you move away from the DSL wireless hub, most come with adjustable antennas that allow you to focus the signal a bit, making this a very useful piece of DSL hardware.
DSL Router
A DSL router is another common piece of DSL hardware. Unlike a DSL modem, however, it is not required for a DSL connection to operate. A DSL Router, sometimes also referred to (less accurately) as a "switch" or "hub," takes an incoming broadband connection and routs it into a number of incoming lines, usually 4. This is ideal if you have more than one computer you want your DSL connection to serve. However, keep in mind that all the computers you connect to a DSL router will be splitting the bandwidth they use, meaning that if two computers are running on the router at once, their internet connections will be half as fast.
About DSL Hardware
DSL hardware tips: "DSL hardware" refers to any piece of computer equipment needed to have a functional DSL connection. Though a computer capable of handling a broadband internet connection fits this definition, it is generally not considered DSL hardware, since it is not specific to the DSL service. Generally, the term refers to things like a DSL modem, DSL router, DSL wireless hub, or other internet-specific device.
DSL Firewall
If your computer contains sensitive data, or there are users in your home whose access you want to restrict, a useful piece of DSL hardware for you might be a DSL firewall. DSL firewalls come in both software and hardware packages. If you only want to protect one machine, a standard personal firewall software package will probably do the trick. If, however, your DSL firewall needs to protect an entire network from potential attacks, but needs to allow unrestricted access between computers on the network, then a hardware firewall will suit your needs much better.
| Guru Spotlight |
| PJ Campbell |
