Apple 8600 appendix Types of equipment

Types of equipment

There are three types of equipment you can use to get online: a modem, an ISDN line, and shared telecommunications equipment on your network.

Modem: A modem may be the most common way to connect a computer to a phone line, particularly if you are using your computer at home. A modem works with standard analog telephone lines. For more information about modems, see the next section, “Choosing and Connecting a Modem.”

ISDN line: An Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) line is a special digital phone line that is about four times faster than the fastest modem used over a standard analog telephone line. However, an ISDN line typically costs more than regular phone service and may not be available in your community. For more information about ISDN, see “Connecting to an ISDN Line” later in this chapter.

Shared telecommunications equipment on your network: One of the advantages of networks is that you can share equipment, such as printers and file servers. If your computer is one of many linked together in a network, there may also be shared communications equipment connected to your network that will allow you (or anyone else on your network) to get online. Contact your computer network administrator for more information. You can also find general information about networks in Chapter 5, “Connecting Your Computer to a Network.”

44Chapter 4