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Types of Internet Connections |
Before you decide to put your BBS on the Internet, deciding what types and speeds of Internet connections to use are very important. Here are some tips on what you will need and how to go about doing it.
- Overview On Internet Connections
The most important part of having a Telnet BBS is the physical connection to the Internet. Most people do not realize how important this is. Many wrong decisions can be made when choosing the best way to connect to the Internet for operating a Telnet BBS. The following are some tips on what you need to look for and look out for.
- Speed Is Important!
The physical speed that you connect
to the Internet is very important. Basically, the faster, the better.
While regular web surfing works reasonably well with your 56k analog
modem, Telnet BBSes work only somewhat well - on a good day. The problem
is that Telnet (and the Internet in general) is packet based
while regular modem to modem Dial-Up BBS systems are stream
based.
While connecting to another BBS at 28.8k or 33.6k baud on a regular
Dial-Up connection may be fast, on the Internet may be slower than a
direct connection to a BBS at 2400 baud! The main reason is that Internet
packets travel slow because of all the internal routings the Internet has
to go through (this is called latency). Another problem is
the speed varies during the time of day, related to the number of users on
the Internet at any given time. Typically evenings and weekends are slow
while early mornings are fast.
- Problem with Dynamic IP Addressing
Another problem you are likely to encounter (especially with regular analog modems) is the concept of Dynamic IP addresses. Most people on the Internet are familiar with the concept of IP addresses. The problem is that there are just NOT enough IP addresses to go around. The solution that most Internet providers use is a method called Dynamic IP addresses. The advantage is that an ISP requires maybe a quarter (or less) of the number of IP addresses for the number of subscribers. If you have a Dynamic IP style of ISP, there are solutions for you at the Dynamic Domain Name Service page.
Using Regular Analog Modems
Regular Analog modem connections to the
Internet, while they can do work, are not ideal. Two reasons - speed and
Dynamic IP addresses. These issues are addressed above. Don't attempt on
any slower than a 28.8k modem. If you must use this method, a 56k modem
works the best.
Another problem with most Dial-Up Internet services is that they do NOT
want you online for 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They very
much frown upon such practices. Check with your ISP if they allow you to
be on for long periods of time without them complaining or cancelling your
service.
Using Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Services
Digital Subscriber Line (commonly called
DSL for short) is a high-speed Internet connection from your telephone
company. DSL uses your existing phone lines and allows you to use your
phone in the normal manner even if you are on line. Rates are typically
$30 to 50 month (though some are now less). Bandwidths usually range from 128k
to 768k in BOTH directions, depending on the level of service you get (and
how much you're willing to pay.)
The advantage of DSL is that it is just you on the connection. It isn't
"shared" by anyone else. Another advantage is that you are
allowed to be on 24/7 with no problems or irate Internet Providers.
The disadvantage (so far) is the lack of availability.
As time goes on, more and more places are offering DSL. But for the
moment, there are a number of places that are not yet connected to DSL.
Older DSL systems tended to offer static IP addresses, but more new ones (especially
PPPoE (PPP over Ethernet) based DSL are now using dynamic IP addresses.
Even though this is the case, Telnet BBS systems are able to run over DSL
connecrtions quite well.
Using Cable Modem Connections
Cable Modem services are becoming more
and more common in large and not so large cities. Cable modem services use
your existing Cable TV coax line. You can watch TV in the normal manner at
the same time you're on the Internet. It is a high-speed Internet
connection, though speeds vary greatly from system to system. Bandwidths usually range from
1 to 5 MB download, 128k to 1 MB upload depending on the level of service you get (and
how much you're willing to pay).
Most Cable Modem services have Static or semi-static IP addresses, but
some do have dynamic IP addresses that change each time you reboot your
computer. Check with your cable company to see
which one you have.
The advantage of Cable Modems are the relatively low price from $30 to $50
per month. Another advantage is that you can be on-line 24/7.
One disadvantage with Cable Modem service is that the connection is
"shared" with other people. This may bog down the connection to
the Internet during peak periods. Another disadvantage is that some Cable
TV companies frown upon running ANY kind of server including Telnet BBS
systems (though MOST don't block the default Telnet port).
Satellite Internet Services
There are several satellite based Internet services, such as DirecWay. These systems allow people who otherwise would not be able to get high speed Internet service any other way (Cable, DSL, etc). There are three major problems with this service.
1. Often times you will not get a "routable" address. This means that people from outside the satellite Internet service can find your computer. They use a block of IP addresses that are unreachable from the outside world. These addresses are within a firewall and utilize NAT (Network Address Translation). Bottom line, you can't get incoming services such as Telnet, HTTP or other common Internet services.
2. Upstream bandwith is typically very slow. Usually upstream bandwidth is about that of a dial-up telephone line. This will slow down the speed at which your users can use your BBS, typically making things crawl.
3. Latency issues with satellite services is probably the worst issue. When a user presses a key on their keyboard, it is transmitted to the BBS and then echoed back. With travel times in the hundreds of miliseconds (as opposed to tens of miliseconds with regular high speed Internet), there is such a delay that your users will be very disatisfied with the speed they can use your BBS. Its almost not worth the trouble to use the BBS if it runs as slow as a 2400 baud BBS from the "old days"!
The Next Step
Now that you've read the above overview, here is some additional information to help you get started in setting up a Telnet BBS.
- Virtual Modem Interfaces
- Virtual Modems are used to interface old-style (DOS based and early Windows based) BBS systems to the Internet. Your BBS sees it as a modem - your users see your BBS as a Telnet port. Here is all the information you will need to find out which is the best one for you and how to set it up and run on your system. (Not required for modern Telnet-ready BBS software packages such as Synchronet.)
- Dynamic DNS Services
- If you do not have a Static IP address, don't let that keep you from operating a Telnet BBS. Here is information on what Dynamic DNS (Domain Name Server) services are about, what they do, and how they can help your users find your BBS.
Site Created April 1996. Page last modified January 1, 2006
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