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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.