IBG - Find an ISP

Finding an Internet Provider

 

If you are in any way involved in the Internet, then you know just how important a good Internet provider is.  If you have a business, the Internet is vital to what you do.  Companies that build, manage, and grow your online visibility and reputation, like IBG, are solely based online.  There are hosting servers and web design sites that receive their income solely from the Internet.  There are many other kinds of businesses and groups that receive their profits from a functioning network and Internet, too.

 

There’s many out there to choose from; with all the options, which one is best?  How do you know what Internet provider to choose and how to configure your Internet?

 

Overview of Networks

Before you actually find an Internet provider, you should be familiar with the different types of networks.  This will help you to make the best, most informed decision.  The different types of networks based on scale and size are LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), and CAN (campus area network).  Basically, the LAN simply connects computing resources within one organization and use Ethernet instead of cabling or wireless hookup.  The WAN connects a single office or branch LAN to a parent organization.  A CAN is for a very large organization; it connects multiple LANs.  The LAN will connect all the computing equipment inside an office and serves basic needs without tremendous costs.

 

The different types of network according to type are peer-to-peer versus client/server (or server-based).  Peer-to-peer is simple; the server functionality here is basically just sharing resources like disk drives, and printers.  The problem with peer-to-peer is its limitations and the fact that you may have to re-learn assigned passwords for the sharers to logon with.  It is also very unsecured since anyone can share their given password with other people.  No more than usually ten machines can fit on this network.  However, it is inexpensive.  Client/server networks, on the other hand, are all centralized around one machine (the server) and therefore can incorporate faster CPUs, more memory, and larger disk drives.  It is also very secure (you must logon to the server, not individual accounts).  It can handle up to a thousand users with no problem.

 

Network Providers

Now that you know a little bit about networks, you can choose the right Internet or network provider based on what you need.  Find out the workload you need your Internet provider to handle, and then choose according to it.  Are you a business with a large company?  You may need to look into an Internet provider that can handle heavy servers.  Also known as an ISP, your Internet service provider is best chosen when you know the parameters of your computer or your demands.

 

You may be able to find some good network providers just from referrals.  Ask those you know which Internet provider they use.  If they were in the same situation as you (such as in a business or a simple home office), it would be ideal.  Consider what you need and the proportion of the cost in your final decision. See also Choosing the Best ISP.