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On this page:
Introduction
Cable Modem or DSL?
Providers
Getting Help and Other Resources

Introduction

As an alternative to Tether, MIT's dial-up service for remote connection to MITnet, members of the MIT community may find that a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) is available to them for high-speed remote access from home. This page gives basic information about ISPs in the greater Boston/Cambridge area, and is intended as a starting point to help MITnet users find the service which best suits their needs.

Connection to MITnet through these ISPs will give you access to MIT web-certificate, or Kerberos protected MITnet services and resources, such as email, web sites, or software.

Disclaimer
MIT Information Services and Technology offers this information as a service to the MIT community, and does not endorse the providers listed below. ISPs may change services and rates without notice, so always check the ISP web site, or contact directly, for current details. Also, IS&T does not support home networking, and cannot guarantee that all MITnet services will work through all ISPs.

About Speed
On campus, connections to MITnet are at speeds of 10 mbps (megabits per second) or higher, while off-campus connections using current dial-up technology operate at a maximum 56 kbps (kilobits per second). ISPs offer high-speed connections ranging from 128 kbps to 9 mbps for home connections.

On the Road
When away from home and your ISP, you may be able to connect to the Internet and MITnet using the iPass remote connection service. With iPass, you can be just about anywhere in the world and connect to the Internet by calling a local telephone number. For more information, see iPass at MIT.

Cable Modem or DSL?

The choice of cable modem or DSL (digital subscriber line) will depend on what is available in your locale, and on what specific services or rates are best for you. General hardware needed for both technologies include an Ethernet card, and a high-speed modem; each ISP will specify its hardware requirements. For a more detailed comparison of the two technologies, see Cable vs. DSL.

Cable Modem
Internet access is over cable TV lines. Cable networks are broadcast oriented, with each subscriber in an area receiving the same signals as all others in that area. Lines are shared with other users, which can affect transmission speeds. Use of the cable modem does not affect cable TV reception, and you do not need to subscribe to cable TV service in order to subscribe to cable Internet service.

DSL
Internet access is over existing telephone lines, but availability depends on proximity to your phone service central switch. You do not need to install a second phone line, as your existing line is split to carry phone/FAX service and DSL modem service simultaneously. With DSL you can do voice/FAX communication at the same time as data communication. Lines are not shared with other users, so transmission speeds are constant.

Security and "always on"
Both cable modem and DSL provide an "always on" connection to the Internet -- unless you disconnect or turn off your computer. Leaving your computer always connected to the Internet makes it an easier target for hackers. The same precautions should be taken with your computer at home as at MIT. To make your computer more secure, be sure to do the following:

• Apply all necessary security patches to your system .
• Use strong passwords for your system and its users, and for any password-protected files or services.
• Disable any services such as file-sharing after you are finished using them.
• Keep your anti-virus software up to date, and run it regularly.
• For securing Windows systems, see Windows XP Professional: Five Security Tips for MIT Machines.
  

Providers

The table below gives basic, generalized information about cable modem and DSL providers in the greater Boston/Cambridge area, including how to find out if a particular provider is available in your locale. The per-month cost ranges do not include specials, discounts, equipment, or installation costs. Your costs will depend on which packages, features, or speed you select, and also on your location.

Cable Modem Providers

Comcast
Check for availability of Comcast service to your location.
Caveat: Cannot use Windows networking to access Windows NT 4.0 file and print servers on the Internet or at MIT because NetBIOS ports 137 and 139 are blocked. Macintosh users can connect to servers using Appleshare over IP.

RCN
To check for availability of service to your location, go to the RCN web site and complete the "Does RCN Serve My Home?" section. Static IP addresses available.

DSL Providers

Earthlink
Earthlink offers home networking options, as well as static IP addresses. To check for availability of service to your location, go to the Earthlink web site and complete the "Check Availability" section.

Speakeasy
Speakeasy offers packages for the general home user, the gamer, the home office, and the system administrator. No ports are blocked, which lets you run servers. To check for availability of service to your location, go to the Speakeasy web site and complete the "Quick Service Check" section.

Verizon
Verizon DSL supports home networking.
To check for availability of service to your location, go to the Verizon web site and enter your phone number in the "Can I get DSL?" section.

Getting Help and Other Resources

For questions or problems with your Internet connection, cable modem, or DSL service, contact the provider for assistance. The MIT IS&T Service Desk is unable to provide assistance with ISP connection problems.

For questions or problems related to MIT-specific applications and services, contact the IS&T Service Desk.

User Feedback
With services such as high-speed access, helpful information about providers may come from users. To submit your feedback about high-speed providers, either those listed on this page, or others with which you have dealt, send us feedback. Comments on providers outside the Boston/Cambridge area, or in neighboring states, are especially welcome. 

General comparisons between cable modem and DSL service: Cable vs. DSL

c|net guide to internet access, ISPs, hosting: c|net Internet Services

Comprehensive information on DSL and providers: DSL Center

Comprehensive information on cable modem service and providers: High Speed Internet

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