Posts Tagged ‘Internet Service Provider’

How to address unable to browse some websites issue?

by xarki, on Mon, Jun 4 2012 | No Comments

courtesy of downforeveryone.comHave you encountered a selective browsing problem? Like you can instantly surf to your FB (Facebook) account page but then you are having a hard time going over the other sites in the web? Here is one way to make it out of that puzzling issue. (This can also be a solution to slow internet browsing speed.)

 

Normally, we make use of our ISPs default DNS server. But doing so can sometimes cause us some trouble if they are doing some maintenance work on their system (even if they deny it) which deters our travel through cyberspace. The good new is, we can still resolve this issue. Modifying your default DNS server address is one way to get away with it. But before anything else, what is DNS?

 

According to wikipedia.org, the Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities. Most importantly, it translates domain names meaningful to humans into the numerical identifiers associated with networking equipment for the purpose of locating and addressing these devices worldwide.

 

Well, that’s a mouthful, yet that is too technical for most of us.

 

To make it simpler, DNS serves as a phone book to the World Wide Web which maps out each connected device to the global network. It manages the name of our websites so we and other people can access them by typing them in our web browsers. That is why we can only have one specific address that we can use in naming our websites. Duplicate domain names are not allowed to avoid problems in accessing our web pages.

 

It is similar to the way we make use of home addresses to make sure our letters, packages and even our friends can reach us whenever they need to. In the same manner, we can never the same addresses so as to avoid confusion and point us to the right direction.

 

Our computers acts as hosts to each incoming connection and also works as clients to other computers in the Internet. Some computers work as DNS servers to provide us with a better network directory and reach our desired destination. That is why replacing your default DNS server address can make a considerable impact on how you browse the Internet.

  • It can increase your Internet speed. (Though this will vary on other factors eg. PC specs, subscribed Internet speed)
  • It can lessen or completely resolve your selective browsing issues. (By taking the optimal path to reach the desired destination.)
  • It can give complete control on how you browse the Internet on your network by using filters (like that of OPENDNS)

 
So, if you do encounter similar issues like I usually do (honestly, our ISPs here in the Philippines are really mediocre!) take some chance to modify your DNS server addresses. Doing so may improve the way you surf the web and avoid timeout connections due to unreachable hosts (websites, computers, servers).

 
I do suggest to search the web for the best DNS address to use depending on your location. I usually take Google’s public DNS as primary DNS server address maybe it would work out well for you too.

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Devices that makes up your Home Network

by xarki, on Wed, Jul 27 2011 | 1 Comment

The internet age has reached its full bloom and almost every one in the planet has learned to be “connected” via the World Wide Web. Even my friends’ kids are aware of this technology. To my surprise, a five year old girl once added me as a friend on one of her social networking profile page.

 
The availability of several internet providers together with various options or methods of connecting through their service has given the Pinoys different opportunities to enjoy even a satisfactory internet speed.

 
Moreover, some people are finding ways to improve the quality and speed of their subscribed connection through the use of network hardware (devices).

 
Modem. This hardware is commonly installed and supplied by the ISP (internet service provider) which brings the internet connection from their side to our homes through a phone line or TV cable and is generally capable of providing a single connection for only one device (PC or notebook) that is why people buy a router.

 
Router. The router institutes a secured network and allows a single subscribed connection to be shared by several computers. This device can be bought in wired and wireless types depending on your need. Through this device, a single network security (firewall) can be implemented to prevent unwanted access to your home network. The router connects directly to the modem and in turn provides connections to other devices through its LAN/WLAN (local area network) ports.

 
Switch. The switch allows creation of a local network and furthermore allows additional connections for the router or another switch if necessary (just like a TV splitter). It can be used in place of a router if the ISP has supplied an aDSL modem-router. Switches are recommended since they provide faster data transfers compared to the hub. Commonly available in 5, 8, 16, and 24 ports.

 
I’ll be discussing on a separate article the network accessories that will allow these devices to be interfaced to your computer and create your own personal home network.

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US’ Top ISPs comes close to a solution to piracy

by xarki, on Sun, Jun 26 2011 | 1 Comment

Some of United States premiere internet service providers are about to implement anti-piracy solutions after years of negotiations with media and entertainment agencies, allowing them to instigate new and strict punishments to customers who refuse to yield in using their subscriptions to acquire films, music and intellectual property illegally. A final agreement has yet to be created and approved before the proposed deal will be implemented.

 
Under the proposed plan, bandwidth providers will be monitoring their customers’ usage and will issue written warnings (which will be referred to as “copyright alerts”) to subscribers who are caught downloading illegal contents through peer-to-peer sites. If the accused does not heed the warnings, the Internet Service Providers (ISP) could choose to send numerous follow-ups though the plan pushes for far more strict punishments.

 
ISPs who will participate in the program are given a number of choices that will aid them in responding to various copyright infringement cases. They may choose to limit the access to certain websites or prevent them from visiting illegal file sharing pages, yet disconnection of service is not recommended in the plan.

 
The plan has been considered as one of the most effective strategies against piracy. The network providers are then given the chance to act as copyright enforcers.

 
Here in the Philippines, the piracy issue is no longer different from the rest of the world. ISPs and government agencies are also challenged to address the same issues that affects the distribution of copyrighted contents though no formal plans has been formulated. Bandwidth capping may soon be a proposed solution to address our own piracy issues.

 
Source: www.zdnet.com.au

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Getting the best internet connection for your home

by xarki, on Fri, Apr 22 2011 | No Comments

“What is the best internet connection for you?” is the most common question asked of me every time I talk about internet connections with my customers. Some say that a certain ISP (Internet Service Provider) is the best to sign up with because of their features, while some say it is the other one since they offer cheaper rates.

 
When you plan to avail of an internet connection from certain providers, you must take into consideration certain things before signing their contract:

 
 

  1. TYPE OF CONNECTION
    There are a number of connection methods available nowadays and almost all of them can be possible to deliver data connectivity to your place. Connection type ranges from wired (DSL or broadband), wireless (wi-fi) and cable internet (usually bundled with CABLE TV). New comers are HDSPA, 3G and 4G connections which still falls under the wireless category.

     
    So far, the wired connection has proved to be more stable than the wireless connection. Wireless connections will depend on how close you are to the “access point” (source). Cable Internet uses the cable television infrastructure and somewhat analogous to DSL connection.

     
    It is best to ask which connection is available in your area. Honestly, ISPs will not tell you much detail about your subscription. Ask around which is best and fits your needs.

    2.  

  2. ISP (Internet Service Provider)
    When High Speed Internet Access hit the market, the growth of ISPs exponentially boomed as well. Each internet service provider will deliver internet connection with varying configurations and subscription options for their customers.

     
    It is for us to determine which one of the ISPs in our area will give the best connection – that has lesser down times (outage) and provides true connection speed. Sad to say some providers will not give the full bandwidth that you have subscribed with. They should have at least informed their customers about bandwidth control and restriction (bandwidth capping)

    3.  

  3. CONNECTION SPEED
    The connection speed will vary from different ISPs and will be based on your personal requirement as a user. This will come in two types – upload and download speed. The “download speed” is what most users are concerned about. It determines how fast you get data to your computer from the World Wide Web. The “upload speed” is how fast YOU send data to the network or to another computer like uploading pictures to a social networking site (like FACEBOOK). For most providers, they provide asymmetrical connections – download speed is higher than the upload speed. (eg. 2MBs/384Kbps)

     
    If you just love to browse the web and check your mail, then 384kbps – 756kbps (kilobits per second) will suffice. If you love to watch streaming videos or listen to online music, 1Mbps – 2Mbps (megabits per second) of connection speed should be subscribed with in that matter. If you want to download stuff or want to connect more than five devices at your home to access the internet, better get 3Mbps and above. Of course, expect that for each speed gain that you have subscribed, prices will be higher. Consequently, the higher download speed you avail, the higher upload speed you get based on my experience.

    4.  

  4. RATES
    Price has always been the dominating factor when it comes to choosing a product or a service. ISPs always package their services with the corresponding rates. So far, all rates are justified and every provider maintains the same pricing scheme. Only, they differ on the service that they offer for each rate available. Always double check your budget and capability to pay for the Monthly Service Fee (MSF). When you go for the post-paid option, you will be likely paying the service within two years – a lock-in period for 24 months as indicated on their contract agreement. I don’t know if any ISP offers no lock-in periods for their post-paid services.

     
    If you are in a tight budget, better go for the prepaid option (YES! They do have that one now!) But prepaid options apply only to the USB dongle type (wireless connection) and you may need to buy the device to avail of the offer.

    5.  

  5. FREEBIES and OTHER FEATURES
    This is the least thing you have to consider since free items should not be the deciding factor why you would subscribe to a particular provider. Sometimes the freebies are just a way for the provider to cover the unsatisfactory service that they offer. Freebies may come in many ways like a “free” computer or a laptop, a mobile phone, a printer or a month of service without charges.

 
Honestly, I do not recommend any ISPs in the market since service availability and quality of service may vary from one location to another. Again, ask around your community about the most favorable connection you could get otherwise, you may have to take the risk of having good or bad internet connectivity – just like I did.

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