RE: Satellite internet service (Full Version)

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sub4hire -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 6:07:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: happypervert

It looks like you are using the term "wireless" as a synonym for "cellular phone" service, but it really isn't clear how the cellular connection hooks up to a pc. I see no reason to shell out dough for the router etc if the cellular thingy can plug right into the pc, but I'm obviously mising something.

BTW -- thanks LaT for starting this thread, 'cuz I've got crappy dial-up too and no cable or DSL available here.


Pervert,
Let's say I have one pc.  There is a small antenna outside my house on the roof that picks up the wireless service for me. It bounces off the antenna wherever that may be.   I have a wireless card in my pc to pick up the service off of the little antenna on my roof.  That antenna picks up my service off of the main tower in the neighborhood. 

You only need a router when you hook up more than one pc to your service.  Yes, you can hook everything up to one printer..etc that way as well.
You can use a router at any time to connect all of your pc's together.  Even with dial up.  Just need the wireless cards for the pcs. 



KatyLied -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 6:36:28 AM)

Correct me if I am wrong, but I also think a router is added security for your computer?  It makes it more difficult for hackers and viruses?




submittous -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 6:45:50 AM)

We use direcway or Hughes satellite, I believe the system was orginally part of direct tv but they sold it back Hughes who is the owner of the actual satelittes. There are a variety of dish and transmitter power options available that translate into different speeds and likely effectiveness in bad weather. We use low power and the smallest dish (and the cheapest monthly cost). There are many satellites to chose from as well and that may make a difference at different locations. We have an expensive automatic pointing dish on our bus (RV) that has worked well all over the western US and Mexico. You would likely use a permanently installed cheaper antenna. We have always used Sat Mex 5 as it has a good signal clear to Guatemala but we hear that some of the newer birds have better signal strength and speed. Our experience is upload speeds are slow, about twice to three times of dailup but downloads are about 10 to 20 times the speed of dialup. This works for us as we do not often upload large files. We also have Dish sat TV and our TV is more easily effected by rain and weather than our internet, we never lose internet and have TV but often lose TV and have good internet connection. Our direcway is connected to a wireless router and we use multipule computers online at the same time. One drawback of satellite internet is the "lag time" involved ... it takes about a quarter second to get the signal up to the sat and back down to the actual internet, that matters with things like real time games and some forms of voip... we aren't gamers and use cell phones for telephone so that has never been a concern for us. We have used this system for about 4 years now and have had one technical failure that was fairly easily fixed, even here in Mexico.

Good Luck

Bill and Iris



sub4hire -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 7:17:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Correct me if I am wrong, but I also think a router is added security for your computer?  It makes it more difficult for hackers and viruses?




If you secure it.  If you don't it actually makes things easier for hackers.  I'm no hacker but I can hack into an unsecure internet connection via router.



MusicalBoredom -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 7:45:50 AM)

Just throwing in my opinions here.  Wireless is wireless but we use the terms to mean different technologies at times.  Satellite, cellular based (know as 3G wireless) and the hot spot type you find in homes and coffee shops (know as 802.11a/b/g) are all wireless but completely different and not inter-operable.  On a side note, DSL is only available to locations that are no more than five miles from a phone company switch so it usually isn't available in any rural location.

802.11a/b/g -- This is what you find in most laptops or through a card or adapter.  It allows you to connect to a wireless router that is no more than about 100 feet away from you.  The term router simply means it takes a signal from one place (DSL, other type or radio or whatever) and send to the other computers that are nearby.  It's what you find in home networks, business networks and public places like restaurants that offer free internet service.  It's not what gives you an internet connection from one location to another.  It simply makes an existing internet connection "sharable" to people at one location.

Verizon -- Verizon offers the only national 3G service right now.  It's pretty fast and pretty reliable.  You have to purchase a card and service from them for it to work.  Each card has to have an account with Verizon and can only operate in one computer at a time.  These cards or adapters are NOT the same thing you buy at BestBuy or Walmart for "wireless" networking -- completely different technology.  It is possible to "share" that connection to other users at that location but you are turning your computer into a router.  It isn't too hard but a little technical.  You can hire people to do this for you.

AT&T (formerly Cingular) -- AT&T offers wireless networking as well but they do not have a 3G network yet so it's very slow and about the same price as Verizon.  Except for speed and value, the rest of the above paragraph applies.

Private Network -- Some communities offer a radio based internet solution.  This is different for all of the above.  It doesn't bounce a signal from one antenna to another, rather you have a local radio that connects to the internet and then sends you that signal locally either wired or wireless (using 802.11a/b/g).  Think of this radio as an interpreter where it "speaks" one language to a large tower somewhere and then turns around and "speaks" to you (your computer) in the "language" it understands.

All in all I would recommend the Verizon solution if it's available in your area.  I'm sure the price will start to drop soon as other companies start to offer competing services.

Good luck




TheIslandofO -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 8:45:11 AM)

Hmmm I hope this helps you.  A lot depends on  the coverage area of the different providers . The Local Exchange Carrier IE, the one your land line is connected to  may have DSL Or ISDN. In previous posts on this OP they are correct that DSl lines have to be with in  3-5 miles  depending on the LECC central offices gateway interface. Here in Florida even in the boonies, of which we currently reside, we are on a DSL connection, as well now have a cable connection available. Each connection performance varies  depending on both  weather, environment ,IR interference and hard wire capacities.   If possible always try to connect multiple PC's on a hard wire network, IE router first. Reason why, is multiple PC's have a tendency to have problems with wireless routers if you run more then 2 -3 PC's at the same time they run into more environmental interference depending on location I have seen interfere with the very wireless connection they are connected to.  Link sys routers run great  as well as cisco, however cisco is a little over board and expensive to buy operate and maintain for a small network. Dsl service is the best is available. unless you are running on a T-1 connection.ISDN old but very stable. Still used by many business who need a good back up for data, slower then DSL more secure then DSl requires a separate hard line and requires a specialized modem. T1 frame relay is great for those who want and need varying upload capability and are willing to share a line with others. However does require a tier 1-3 fiber network unlikely to help you in the boonies.This connection is  more for those who live in the villages or a mid size city. WiFi is the ideal solution, however again in the boonies  your unlikely to find a local provider with service coverage for your location. Be advised  some wifi connections slow down considerably with multiple PC's connected. Cellular Service Wireless Service.  If you have a provider who has a good coverage in your area check out the cost. Alot of cell phone providers eat you alive when you use over a defined amount of minutes related to wireless internet plans.  Satellite service. Service is getting better, but does have some down falls, much of those have been already stated in previous posts. I have installed and serviced this type of connection half the time works as required.  Last but not least, have someone install a new copper cat 5 e line into your home  as a termination point. Make sure it is well grounded most of the line problems related to dial up, is faulty land lines not correctly grounded or old land lines installed on even older copper wire termination points. The key to telephone lines is twisted pair shielding goes along way in getting rid of interference.  See if anyone provides in your local area a microwave service, it might be your ideal solution.There are several more complicated possiblities, but  requires  some one with a lot of radio and ham experience to set up and maintain. I have used a radio ham connection  on several ocassions  when in the remote boonies, even as far as Alaska. http://www.realproductivity.com/internet-service-provider/internet-service-provider-iowa.htm?OVRAW=wireless%20network%20providers%20in%20iowa&OVKEY=internet%20provider%20in%20iowa&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=1298016521&OVKWID=10621486021   http://www.asiweb.com/products/wireless/index.asp http://www.prairieinet.net/about/pr102605.htm http://www.56k.com/isps/isdn/usa/ia.shtml http://www.networkcomputing.com/wansites/isdnserv.html  http://www.calibex.com/serv/calibex2/buyer/OutPDir.jsp?nxtg=e0040a1c052f-990090D5D02DB6CF&search=isdn+network&OVKWID=94417832011&OVADID=12756005011 http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/isdn.htm http://public.swbell.net/ISDN/overview.html   These links may help Be well  good day!



MusicalBoredom -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 9:21:02 AM)

Keep in mind that Verizon's 3G access isn't the older "Cellular Service Wireless Service".  Entirely different animal.




GhitaAmati -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 9:39:46 AM)

Oh, and LaT, if you are still stuck with the dialup for now, make sure the phone line into your computer comes directly from the box outside and doesnt connect with other phone jacks, will actually speed things up a tad bit.



LaTigresse -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 9:49:24 AM)

I am going to the local Verizon store today sometime and talk to them. They have always been very helpful.

As for our phone lines, the phone company itself has admitted that they are currently running at around 30K which is what my computer says it is. My computer quite often just times out and trys to tell me I am not even online. Basically having the dial up right now is worthless. I cannot do any of my website work. I cannot send or receive files. Just emails ......if that.



CuriousLord -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 9:53:52 AM)

I've never heard nor experienced any positive things about satellite connections.

One alternative I would look into is multiple dial-up connections, if nothing else is available.  It may seem odd, but if two phone lines cost an acceptable amount (less than satellite would?) and they can be linked together (forming a connection that's twice as fast), it may well be worth it.

If there is a readily-available, cost-effective technology around to do this?  I don't know.  Just an idea.



LaTigresse -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 10:35:51 AM)

Sadly not an option. When I first moved to this property, 6 years ago, I asked for two phone lines. I was told that it was not currently possible due to the limited phone cables in my area BUT that they would be putting in additional cable in a few months. They would let me know when I could have that second phone line. Six years later and I still do not have it......

Mostly, I love living where I do. There are just some, very annoying, prices you pay to live in Hillbillyville.



GhitaAmati -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 11:24:54 AM)

Im at the same place you are with dial up, LaT....I was able to jump my speed up from 30K to about 34K....great huh? I cant get the second line either, the phone company admits we have way too many people out here in the forest for the old outdated phone lines to handle, but they seem to have no interest in fixing it. The old lines wont handle DSL, even if there were one of them junction places within 5 miles of us, so in order for us to upgrade, we have to wait for the company to decide to spend the money to replace every phone line in our area. There is a cable company out here somewhere, but their lines dont run all the way out my road, and even up at the beginning of the road, the people who have cable TV cant get cable internet because they cable company here doesnt offer it and apparently the cable lines are too old so they would have to be replaced, also.



MusicalBoredom -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 11:29:07 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Correct me if I am wrong, but I also think a router is added security for your computer?  It makes it more difficult for hackers and viruses?



Most routers in their default do add a level of security but for the most part do nothing for virus protection.  The firewall feature, usually implemented as NAT, simply isolates people from outside of your network from etablishing a connection to computers inside your network.  Most cable and DSL modems now have this built in.

I agree with submittous regading Hughes.  The only problem most people have is keeping the dish pointed (and clear or obstruction) to the sat.  They solved this with an auto-acquisition system which most home owners don't purchase since it's stationary.  Think of having a pole that's 5 miles long pointed out to space and changing tilting it even half an inch -- it would change where it pointing at the end by a huge factor.

OMG I'm a freaking nerd!



LATEXBABY64 -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 3:18:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MusicalBoredom

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Correct me if I am wrong, but I also think a router is added security for your computer?  It makes it more difficult for hackers and viruses?



Most routers in their default do add a level of security but for the most part do nothing for virus protection.  The firewall feature, usually implemented as NAT, simply isolates people from outside of your network from etablishing a connection to computers inside your network.  Most cable and DSL modems now have this built in.

I agree with submittous regading Hughes.  The only problem most people have is keeping the dish pointed (and clear or obstruction) to the sat.  They solved this with an auto-acquisition system which most home owners don't purchase since it's stationary.  Think of having a pole that's 5 miles long pointed out to space and changing tilting it even half an inch -- it would change where it pointing at the end by a huge factor.

OMG I'm a freaking nerd!



that is correct the 3g service is pretty good i know sprint has their verison also out. so i would check out who has the most towers in your area or coverage.. becareful of hiden charges cause some plans will hit you with every cost in the world also about the phone next the router thats not cell phones it wireless analog phones in a home they are on the freq as the routers are. there is also two other standards one is not yet a standard yet n or what is refered to as nimo  technology then last wimax or what is also
a lot of emergency things are on wimax.. NAT also means national address translation. it is the way you go through things to talk to the net in other words in a nut shell if you have questions or need any thing you can email or leave a message 24 7 service lol



Drifa -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 4:10:55 PM)

I started out with DirecTV, which is now Hughes.net.  If they sucked, it would be an improvement, but there is neither cable nor DSL or other high speed options in the wastelands between Austin and Houston apparently.

In general, speed is good when everything is working. Surfing, email, and the like is reasonably fast.  Lessee, checking a couple of speed tests, I am averaging 571 kbps downloads and 141 kbps uploads.  I do have a fairly high latency (of up to 1000ms sometimes). But I can play a graphic intensive MMORPG like Everquest2 at a fairly decent level of graphics quality and run Ventrilo for voice communications, so it's not all bad all the time.

One cloud in the southern sky, one drop of rain, or a bunch of hornets building a nest in the "horn", though, can completely put you out of service.

The worst part about Hughes.net is the so-called customer support based out of India. I'm sure the individuals are mostly very nice people, but they are working from scripts and don't have the technical skills to listen to your problem and bypass crap you have already tried.

And if I am mad and frustrated already, my listening skills are not up to deciphering a thick accent from someone who gets pissy when I ask them to repeat what they just said, slower.  Nothing like having one of these guys get snarky and ask ME "What is the matter, don't you speak English?" after I asked him to repeat something yet AGAIN (true story).

You have to balance costs vs. frustration vs. your other options.  I'm just hoping that development moves my way enough that we get a cable provider in this neck of the woods eventually.





LaTigresse -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 7:12:24 PM)

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Verizon!!

$60 month, plug a little modem into my computer and I am rocking and rolling!!! Wooooooooooohooooooooo!!!!!

Goodbye dial up, to hell with satellite, helloooooooooooo broadband. You are my new bestest friend!



LATEXBABY64 -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/7/2007 7:25:58 PM)

also you can get a pcmcia adapter to work with you desktop and use that card in there too



LaTigresse -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/8/2007 7:58:34 AM)

Already a done deal. This is soo awsome.



Sinergy -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/8/2007 10:10:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Correct me if I am wrong, but I also think a router is added security for your computer?  It makes it more difficult for hackers and viruses?




Not really, KatyLied.

A router takes bits of information from point A and routes them to point B.

Most hardware routers come with built in firewalls, which prevent certain traffic from point A to point B.  Most wireless routers have WEP identification keys before they will talk to something attempting to use them.  These forms of protection are not intrinsic to the job of a router.

Sinergy



LATEXBABY64 -> RE: Satellite internet service (8/8/2007 10:17:44 AM)

the thing about firewalls they can drive you nuts people can add so many firewalls for example windows service pack two comes with a built in firewall symantecs has a fire wall mcaffe has a fire wall zone alarm it goes on and on
routers do come with a firewall and wireless security with wep key or wap key encriytion  if your out in the country leave it open if your in a apt put something simple also always change your address scheme in the router for your private it makes it harder to crack  do not use common name and always change the admin password



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