Connecting from Off Campus Over the Internet

Before you connect to the campus computing network from an off-campus location:

1. Determine the best type of connection for your needs.
   • If you only need to transfer small files on a limited basis between your off-campus computer and your AFS file space at NC State, then a dial-up connection might be sufficient.
     
     
   • If you need to transfer large files frequently, run applications remotely or use Virtual Private Networking (VPN) software, then you'll need one of the broadband options so that the auxiliary software you'll be using for those tasks will work reliably. See Remote Access to Computing at NC State University for details about this software and the available services.
     NOTE: Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is available only to faculty and staff. For more information on it, see Virtual Private Networking Access or Virtual Private Networking at Client Services .
     
     
2. Choose an Internet service provider (ISP) that can furnish the type of connection you'll need.
   This page offers considerations to help you make a selection. In addition, a list of Internet service providers is available at http://thelist.internet.com/, but we cannot verify its completeness or accuracy.
   NOTE: If you live in E. S. King Village (family housing on campus), Time Warner's high-speed Internet access via cable modem is included with your rent.

Things to consider when shopping for an Internet Service Provider:

• Type of Service -There are two types of connections that most folks would consider for home use:
  
  
  • Dial-up (traditional modem access).This is the type of service in which you have an internal or external modem connected to your computer via a serial cable, and you initiate a call to the ISP whenever you want to use the Internet. Maximum speed with this type of connection is usually 56,000 bps.
    
    
  • Broadband (including DSL service and cable modem service).
    
    
    • DSL service - This is newer than traditional modem access. With it, you still have a modem (usually supplied by the ISP) connected to your computer with an Ethernet cable instead of a serial cable. You do not have to disconnect and reconnect each time you wish to access the Internet. The connection uses your existing telephone line, but you can access the Internet and use the phone for voice communication at the same time, without interference. Maximum speed depends on a variety of factors. There are some Web sites that provide additional information about DSL services. See http://www.dslreports.com for additional information.
      
      
    • Cable Modem Service - This service, like DSL, is a persistent connection and uses an Ethernet cable. The big difference is that the connection is made through your cable TV cable instead of your telephone line. Currently, cable modem service in the Triangle Area is available from Time Warner (http://www.timewarnercable.com/nc/products/roadrunner/default.html) and Earthlink (http://www.earthlink.net/).
      
• Connectivity
  • How does the ISP connect to the rest of the Internet?
    The type of connection that an ISP utilizes to connect to the rest of the Internet can dramatically affect your Web surfing and other activities. Several ISPs in the Triangle are connected to the MCNC GigaPOP facility in RTP. This type of connectivity may result in a performance improvement when accessing resources on the NC State (and UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University) campuses.
    
    
• Availability
  • How many incoming modem lines does the ISP maintain?
  • What percentage of the times that you call will you receive a busy signal?
  • What is the ratio of customers to phone lines?
    
    
• Modems
  • What type of modems does the ISP utilize?
  • What speed?
  • Any known compatability problems?
    
    
• Cost
  • Does the ISP offer a variety of service plans?
    
    
• Restrictions
  • Are your PPP sessions restricted in length?
  • Are there limits on email volume?
  • Are there limits on references to your WWW pages?
    
    
• Accessibility
  • Is the phone number that you call to login a local number?
  • Does the ISP provide toll-free service?
  • Can you connect from another city?
  • Is there a surcharge?
    
    
• Services Provided
  • Email account (IMAP, POP and SMTP services)?
  • WWW publishing?
  • Network News (NNTP service)?
  • Additional email boxes for other family members?
  • Email aliasing?
  • Email forwarding?
    
    
• Billing Options
  • Check?
  • Credit card?
  • Included in your phone bill?
  • Electronic transfer?
    
    
• Customer Service
  • How do you change your password?
  • Can you change your login or email address?
  • How do you change your billing options?
  • How do you track your usage?
    
    
• Technical Support
  • 24 hour?
  • Extra cost?
  • How many phone lines?
  • How long are the hold times?
    
    
• Software included
  • Does the ISP provide software for your computer and operating system combination?
  • Does it include a WWW browser? (You can also download browsers free from the Internet.)
  • Does it include dialing software?
  • Does it include email software?

Last modified March 8, 2007 by cawalker