ISP (Internet Service Provider)An Internet service provider is an organization or individual providing access to the Internet. Numerous local and national service providers offer a variety of means of entry to the Internet.
Internet Service Providers (ISP) connect members of the general public to the Internet. That is to say, they offer users access to the major services associated with the Internet: e-mail, Usenet newsgroups, and access to Telnet, ftp, gopher, WAIS and the World Wide Web. Many online services and some bulletin boards also function separately as Internet service providers.
To connect to the Internet you have to connect to someone who already has Internet access--someone with a domain name and IP address. Service providers supply a router that transfers packets from the Internet to your computer or network and vice-versa. All the routing, forwarding and other information is handled by the Internet service provider and is invisible to the user. Internet access is provided over almost any medium from simple telephone dialup to satellites or extremely high-speed optical fiber connections.
Analogies are often made to hooking up to an electric company or telephone company, but these analogies suggest monopolies and an organization that does not exist with the Internet. A better analogy might be a middleman--someone in the business of acquiring access so that he or she can turn around and sell access to others.
Internet access can be obtained by
In each case, the connection can be permanent or intermittent.
The most common access is by telephone. This can take one of two forms:
In both cases users dial into a provider via a modem. The difference is the point at which translation into Internet language (TCP/IP) takes place --before or after connection to a provider. In terminal access, the provider acts as translator, speaking to the Internet for the user; in host access, the user "speaks" in Internet language on a direct line through the provider to the Internet.
Terminal access is generally text-interface. Users must learn UNIX or other commands for all transactions. (Some software does exist, however, for achieving a limited graphic interface.) You can give instructions from your keyboard, but all programs are on the provider's computer. To receive a file, you must download it to the provider computer, and then transfer it to your own using communications software such as X-modem. As with all intermittent connections, mail is received and held by your provider until you request it.
Host access provides SLIP or PPP connection: Users have a direct TCP/IP connection. Software (such as browsers) exists on the user's computer; the provider is simply the conduit to the Internet. Full graphics capability is provided. The provider still offers a point of presence (POP) for storing e-mail until it is accessed by the user.
All methods of access require a relatively fast computer and modem. In practical terms, that means at least an IBM 386, or preferably a 486 or Pentium, and at least a 14,400 baud modem, preferably 28,800. (Text-interface dial-in service will work at 2400 baud, but downloading is excruciatingly slow.)
Software provides the interface to the Internet--whether it's a simple communications program for terminal access or complex applications for host access. Software for host access to the Internet exists for all major computer types. Users can obtain shareware or commercial programs, individual applications or suites of applications (often as part of newer operating systems).
If you are on a company or school network that is itself connected to the Internet, you do not need your own provider--your organization has already contracted with one. As a private business or individual, you must find an organization or enterprise offering this service and purchase access from them. Payment is usually a monthly fee for a minimum connect time, with additional fees for additional connect time or use during certain hours.
In general, most providers offer the same services. Which you select will depend on what you want to use the Internet for, how much use you expect to make of it, and what you are prepared to pay.
The following factors influence the cost and convenience of the available services.
To obtain PDIAL, a list of public access service providers, send mail with a subject line of "Send PDIAL" to "info-deli-server@netcom.com".