Types of Modems

 Itis not so important to know how modems do

work but it is essential to make the difference
between the different  types of computer  modem.
 Two main types of modems
 Internalcomputer modems
 External computer modems
Internal computer modems
 built-in
modem
 PC card modem
 a PCI slot or ISA slot required
 circuit
board (a modem card)
 used with Dial-Up Internet connection
 through a couple of RJ-11 connection
 usually 56K modems
 downstream transmission of 56 Kbits/s
Internal Computer Modems
 datamust flow from the client to the (server)
provider.
 56K modems V90 = 33.6 Kbits/s of upstream
transmission rate
 56K modems V 92 = 48 Kbits/s of upstream
transmission rate.
Two Types of Internal Modem
 Dial-Up Modems
 the older of the two types of internal modems.
 often called 56k modems
 either wired directly to the motherboard or are removable
PCI cards that connect to a PCI card slot inside the
computer.
 Internet connection through a standard telephone line to
the modem's jack. The other end connects to a phone jack
in a home or office.
Two Types of Internal Modem
 WiFi Modems
 Wireless Fidelity
 wireless cards built into a computer, commonly
found in laptop computers.
 connect to the Internet by picking up a signal from
nearby wireless routers.
External modems
 separatedfrom the system unit in the computer case
 small boxes that use other kind of interfaces to be connected to
the computer.
 serial modem
 USB modem 
External Modems

Dial-Up modem 
more expensive than internal’s
External Modems
 Cable modems
 use a coaxial cable television lines to provide a greater bandwidth
 downstream transmission - 38 Mbits/s
 upstream transmission - 1 Mbits/s
 To use Ethernet connection:
 connect to an Ethernet card, placed on the computer PCI slot
Cable Modems
External Modems
 DSL modems
 Digital Subscriber Line
 originally stood for digital subscriber loop
 used to connect a computer or router to a telephone circuit that
has Digital Subscriber Line service configured
 act as a modulator
 Two categories:
 Asymmetric DSL - bandwidth is greater in the direction to the
customer premises than the reverse
 Symmetric DSL - offer symmetric bandwidth upstream  and
downstream 
DSL Modems
 Asymmetric DSL Modems

Symmetric DSL Modems

Standard vs. Intelligent Modems
• Standard Modems
– operated by commands entered from a microcomputer
keyboard
– Users control the functions of a modem through the
keyboard.
– most modems (called "Hayes compatible") use a popular
language developed by a company "Hayes
Microcomputer Products, Inc."
– ATDSX4
• pay attention (AT)
• dial stored telephone number (DS)
• display the progress of the call (X4).
Standard vs. Intelligent Modems

 Intelligent Modems: 
 advanced modems.
 accept new instructions and then respond to the
commands while transmitting data and information.
Short-Haul vs. Wireless Modems
 Short-Haul Modems
 transmit signals down the cable through any  COM1
port
 modem eliminators - do not require an external
power source
 line drivers - send data for a distance of more than
one mile
 can be used within or across several buildings in a
company or a university campus.
Short-Haul Modems
Short-Haul vs. Wireless Modems
 Wireless Modems
 transmit the data signals through the air instead of by
using a cable
 radiofrequency modem
 designed to work with cellular technology, and
wireless local area networks
 not yet perfected, but the technology is rapidly
improving.
Wireless Modems
Advantages of Internal Modems
• Price
– the lower cost of production as no materials are used
building a case around it
– do not have LED lights to reflect connectivity
• Power Consumption
– use the power of the running computer to function
– No extra plug
– power needed is provided by the computer's power
supply.
Advantages of Internal Modem
• Desk Space
– installed inside the computer so no space on the desk
• Cable Clutter
– require only the telephone line to be connected
– The power and computer connection are all taken care of by
the PCI slot the modem is plugged into
• Cleanliness
– will not be covered with unsightly dust as it is inside the
computer
 
Disadvantages of Internal Modem
 Unable to see the status of the modem directly
 inside the computer
Advantages of using Dial-up Modem
 Low Cost
 Safety
 rotation of the IP addresses
 Availability
 convenience of using his account wherever the
service is available.
Disadvantages of using Dial-up
Modem
 Speed
 maximum speed of 56,000 bytes per second
 Requiresphone line to connect to Internet
 Route Busy
 If the single line available is being used for some
kind of data transfer, then anything else cannot be
done right now.
Advantages of Cable Modem
 Speed
 4 mbs. cable modem 20 seconds
 10 mbs. cable modem 8 seconds

 the telephone line not used

 save money
 not experience busy signals
Disadvantages of Cable Modem
• not widely available
• the trouble with bandwidth
– increasing no. of customers ,decreasing amount of
bandwidth ->connections slower
• only one way connections are available
• Costly
– the cost of a cable modem can get upwards of $500.
• can't choose Internet provider
Advantages of DSL
• Independent services
– Loss of high speed data does not mean you lose your
telephone service
• Security
– each subscriber can be configured so that it will not be on
the same network
• Integration
– DSL will easily interface with ATM, Nx64, and WAN
technology
– Telecommuting may get even easier
Advantages of DSL
 High bandwidth
 Cheap line charges from the phone company.
 Good for "bursty" traffic patterns
Disadvantages of DSL
 No current standardization
 A person moving from one area to another might
find that their DSL modem is just another
paperweight
 Expensive
 Distance dependence
 The farther you live from the DSLAM (DSL Access
Multiplexer), the lower the data rate.
Disadvantages of DSL
 Access
 Asymmetry
 Limited availability
 Very new technology
 Low or no CIR  (Committed Information Rate). 
 as traffic across the telco switch increases, your data
could be locked out until call volumes and other
traffic subsides
Disadvantages of DSL
 Downtime after line failure
 could be weeks compared with days for ISDN and
hours for data circuits such as Frame Relay and
Point to Point circuits 
 Reliability and potential down time issues
 makes DSL a very risky choice for mission critical
systems unless backup / fail over links are put in
place.
Sources
•  http://www.ehow.com/about_6171705_internal-vs_-external-
modems.html.
• http://www.crm.mb.ca/guide/components/modem.htmlhttp://ho
me.olemiss.edu/~misbook/cs11.htm
• http://www.state.net/dsl/DSLadvantages.html
• http://www.cheap-computers-reference.com/different-types-of-
computer-modem.html
• http://www.ehow.com/about_5344454_different-internal-
modems.html
• http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/sprg_98/juraschka/proscon
s.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSL_modem