If you find that you have a Winmodem, you are usually better off getting a real modem
instead. An inexpensive external serial modem can save you the trouble of getting and
loading a Linmodem driver that may or may not work. Most external modems or internal PCI modems
described as being ???controller-based??? work well in Linux.
Connecting a Single Computer to Broadband
Increasingly, individuals have the option of signing up for broadband Internet service with cable
television providers or local telephone companies. These connections typically provide transmission
speeds rated at least five times greater than you can get with a dial-up connection.
To make broadband connections from your home or small office, you typically need a cable modem
or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem. Cable modems share the bandwidth of the cable television
line coming into your location. DSL uses existing house or office phone wires to connect to
the Internet, sharing the wires with your phone service.
Because there are many ways that your ISP may be providing your Internet service, you should
check with it to get the right hardware you need to connect. In particular, you should know that
there are several incompatible DSL standards (ADSL, CDSL, HDSL, SDSL, and so on), so you can??™t
just go out and buy DSL equipment without some guidance.
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