Post on 12-May-2023
Running head: DSL vs Cable Modem 1
DSL vs Cable Modem – Assignment Week 8
Lamin A Tunkara
CIS 505 – Communication Technologies
Dr. OSAMA A. MORAD
August 12 2014
DSL vs Cable Modem 2
Abstract: The paper looks into the distinction around Digital Subscriber
Lines and Cable Modem as means of internetworking. The differences in
the services provided will be discussed along with the reliability and
robust nature of the services. The paper highlights the cost of each
internet service and the providers for each even particularly in the
Raleigh North Carolina geographies.
Keywords: Digital, Cable, Modem, Network, Lines, Providers,
Internet, Service, Computers, Mainframes, Cell Phones, GPS units,
Music Players
DSL vs Cable Modem 3
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer
networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP)
to link and enable communications outreach between several
computing devices worldwide. Internet service consists of
millions of private, public, academic, business, and government
networks, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and
optical networking technologies. The Internet carries an
extensive range of information resources and services, such as
the inter-linked hypertext documents and applications of the
World Wide Web, the infrastructure to support email, and peer-to-
peer networks for file sharing and telephony. And to enable the
deployment of such broad communication spectrum, service and the
providers thereof must be identified. Both DSL and cable high-
speed Internet services are available to millions of residential
and business consumers worldwide. In some areas, only one service
is available. Providers for DSL and cable high speed internet
facilitate services for accessing, using, or participating in the
Internet. These organizations may be organized in various forms,
such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise
privately owned. Others have a choice. Some of the differences
DSL vs Cable Modem 4
between DSL and cable modem originate not with the technology
itself but rather with the service provider. All other things
being equal, factors like cost, reliability and quality of
customer support for installation and maintenance issues can vary
significantly from one provider to the. An internet basics
expert Gil (2014) reaffirmed this analysis in brief excerpt
below;
The Internet is a massive public spiderweb of computer
connections. It connects personal computers, mainframes,
cell phones, GPS units, music players, soda pop machines,
car alarms, and even dog collars. All of these computer
connections exist for the sake of free information sharing.
From the local suburbs of Raleigh NC USA, amassing number of
service providers can be found with varying services
competitively offered. Not uncommon in the internet service high
speed market within this geography are the digital subscriber
line (DSL) and Cable Modem services. Time Warner Cable Company
is a proud provider of these services. A geographical search into
the coverage locations of the Cable service and DSL reveals an
expanded stretch from Alabama to Wyoming. These services are
DSL vs Cable Modem 5
national within the continental USA. From home users on single
computing nodes to conglomerates on extended networks, these
service providers are robust in nature ensuring that businesses
as well as single users have the required tools needed to excel
in their various uptakes. DSL and cable modems both offer their
own specific advantages and disadvantages. It’s hard to argue one
or the other as the objective best option for internet without
knowing the customer’s specific circumstance and needs, but
either option will give you good service and high speed. The
short answer is that cable plugs into your cable jack and DSL
plugs into your phone jack. Of course, this doesn’t nearly cover
the many differences between the two services. This being said,
if you are switching from cable to DSL than you cannot reuse your
modem. Differences could range from what level of satisfaction a
customer gets, the security features, the speed of the apparatus
and so many other issues. Woodfield, (2014) ascribed the
difference in security features of the cable modem and DSL in
this revelations,
Security wise, Cable and DSL are comparable. Though they use
different network security models, the quality of security
DSL vs Cable Modem 6
is comparable between the two. There have been worries in
the past about cable security, but in recent years cable
providers have improved security greatly. All things
considered, both models likely provide all the security
necessary for the average user.
DSL uses dedicated rather than shared cabling, and DSL customers in a given
neighborhood do not appear as nodes on a LAN. From this, many have concluded
DSL service provides better security. However, this argument is at best an
oversimplified one. DSL modems are faster than dial-up modems, but not
quite as fast as cable modems. The typical cost for a DSL modem is about
$40-$90. DSL modems are frequently aimed at specific DSL carriers. Wal-Mart
a department store in the Carolinas sells modems for a variety of service
providers including Actiontec modem for Verizon DSL for $66 and Motorola DSL
modem for AT&T for $50. Some DSL modems are combination devices with
routers, which create a wireless network. These devices cost $80-$200. The
more expensive units allow for faster rates of transfer. The Netgear 802.11n
Wireless Router with DSL Modem handles data transfer of up to 150 Mbps and
costs $80 at Best Buy. However, the Netgear Rangemax Dual-Band Wireless-N
router with DSL modem, which is twice as fast, is about $150. Cable prices
vary as it depend on the service and package so desire. As low as $14.99
DSL vs Cable Modem 7
for the single service of the internet and could go as high as $79.99 when
services such as internet, cable, and telephone are bundle together. The
cost of the devices may not be far more or less as the DSL devices.
Aside from DSL, one of the common broadband connection types is a cable
modem. A cable Internet connection operates through the infrastructure in
place by your local cable television provider. Unlike DSL, cable Internet is
not affected by your home's proximity. However, since all of the cable
subscribers in your area are connected to the same data source, the speed
and reliability of a cable connection will vary depending on the number of
users who are online. During peak usage times, generally in the evening, you
may experience slower connection speeds with a cable modem. There are many
different ways for people to connect to the internet, and one of those ways
is with a DSL, or digital subscriber line. This way of connecting to the
internet works by delivering digital high-bandwidth by way of people's
regular phone lines. Providers of this service usually offer about 1.5
megabits per second for downloads and about 128 kilobits per second for
uploads. While cable or satellite services are somewhat faster than these
services, there are many benefits of choosing digital subscriber lines as
internet providers. One of the most popular reasons people choose this
service as their internet provider is that it is much more affordable than
DSL vs Cable Modem 8
cable or satellite. DSL is also available in many rural areas where cable
and satellite are not. While the connection in some rural areas may be a bit
slow due to old phone lines, it is still much faster than dial-up. Yet
another terrific thing about this service is that multiple computers within
one home can connect to the internet at the same time by using a wireless
router. Broadband digital subscriber lines are extremely safe for their
users. Since subscribers use their own phone lines to connect to the
internet, there is no chance of other persons using the service. Thus, this
internet access is not only private, but it is extremely secure for users,
as well. Cable modem connectivity has its advantage and so many reasons why
consumers like to opt for it. The download capability, bandwidth, signal
integrity, and relying on existing connections are few of the many reasons.
Owens (2014) on the reason to or not to take cable and how utilizing an
existing connection helps positioned cable as a winning service revealed in
this write-up; “Cable modems connect directly to preinstalled cable lines.
This is advantageous because you do not need to have other services, such as
telephone or Internet, in order to receive Internet through your cable
modem. The disadvantage is that you cannot have cable internet in areas
where there are no cable lines”
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References
Gil (2014) What Is the 'Internet'? Is It the Same as the 'Web'?
Retrieved from, http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/i/f/What-Is-
The-Internet.htm.
Owens (2014) Advantages & Disadvantages of Cable Modem Connections.
Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/list_5919418_advantages-disadvantages-cable-modem-
connections.html
Woodfield (2014) Comparison of DSL to Cable Modem, Retrieve from,
http://www.ehow.com/about_6613825_comparison-dsl-cable-
modem.html.