Overview

In this chapter we discuss the concepts and methods of extending networking to the home or small office/home office (SOHO) environment.

1. What is dialup networking?

   Dialup networking refers to a network connection that is established by "dialing" into the network through the public telephone system. Dialup connections can be analog or digital. Analog connections involve the use of a modem; digital connections require end-to-end digital connectivity. (See Chapter 11 on ISDN for more information about end-to-end digital connections.) Dialup connections can also be terminal-based or network-based. In a dialup terminal connection, special terminal emulation software is used to make the local system a terminal of the remote machine. In a dialup network connection, special networking software makes the local machine become a true networked host.

2. Could you please expand on the concept of a dialup terminal connection?

   Certainly. As stated above, a dialup terminal connection involves the use of special terminal emulation software. This type of connection is sometimes called a tty connection, which is an acronym for teletype, a term used in the early days of computing to denote a terminal connection between a device and a centralized host. In a tty dialup connection, terminal emulation software is used to make the local system (the one dialing in) appear as a terminal to a centralized host. There are many different kinds of terminal emulation software available, each with its own capabilities. Two in particular are Kermit and ProComm. Windows 3.1, Windows 95,...