One of the primary requirements of a Dial-up internet connection is a hardware called ‘Modem’ apart from telephone lines. Modem (short for modulator/demodulator) is a device which makes data transmission by remote computers over a telephone line possible. In a more geeky sense, since telephone lines can only carry analog signals, modems are devices which modulate analog signals to encode digital information and also demodulate those signals to decode the digital information. These modems are available for different speeds, though mostly the modems now made are at least 56 Kbps.
One of the primary requirements of a Dial-up Internet connection is a hardware called ‘Modem’ apart from telephone lines. Modem (short for modulator/demodulator) is a device which makes data transmission by remote computers over a telephone line possible. In a more geeky sense, since telephone lines can only carry analog signals, modems are devices which modulate analog signals to encode digital information and also demodulate those signals to decode the digital information. These modems are available for different speeds, though mostly the modems now made are at least 56 Kbps.
To connect to the Internet using a dial up connection, you first need to subscribe to an ISP. Subscribing to ISP may require calling an ISP company for services who will send their representative to set you up with the connection. For our part, we will assume that you have already subscribed to an ISP. For accessing the online world using dial up connection method you need to connect over a telephone line using the modem. Mostly, the ISPs provide you with an interface where you will be required to enter your username and password along with the ISP’s phone number. After you send this piece of information, what follows next is the process called ‘Handshaking'.
Handshaking
The sending of the above information directs your modem to dial ISP’s phone number to which the ISP’s modem responds. There follows then, a series of exchange of signals to determine how fast the connection speed should be and also to synchronise the settings for the connection. You will often hear a beepy noise from your modem during this process.
After these settings are decided upon by yours and your ISP’s modems, your username and password is sent to your ISP for verification. The process is called CHAP, challenge handshake authentication protocol. Your ISP verifies the username with its database. If your information is validated you can then begin surfing the Internet.