Analog
Analog dialup service is the most ubiquitous remote access
available. All you need is a phone line and a modem. Speeds, which started out
around 300 bps, have steadily increased over the years to 56 kbps.
Users using analog dialup usually connect to an access server
using a modem. The provider that operates the access server gives the user a
phone number. The user connects to the access server using that phone
number.
If in the same calling area, the user can connect to the
provider using a local phone number. If the user is not in the same calling
area, many providers have toll-free numbers. This allows users to connect
without incurring long distance charges or using calling cards.
Some providers also offer software that has a list of phone
numbers organized by country. Users can use this software to select the
appropriate number for their location. They can then connect from all over the
world.
Users can also connect to the Internet via dialup and then use
VPNs to connect to their corporate networks. Many operating systems now offer
native VPN solutions such as Microsoft's Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
(PPTP).
The most obvious drawback of dialup services is the speedor
lack thereof. With applications becoming more and more bandwidth-intensive and
other broadband options becoming more cost-effective, users are turning away
from dialup.
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