How to Make the Most of DSL

A DSL is a digital subscriber line that provides access to the Internet when connected to a modem box through a telephone line. Using a DSL line, you can access the Internet at speeds ranging from 512 kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/skbps. This type of connection is much more economical than cable modem connections.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase a DSL/POTS splitter. This device can be found in any computer store and allows you to have two outputs from your incoming phone line. One for the telephone and one for data or the Internet.

2. Install the splitter outside your home at the point where the telephone line enters your house. By having a separate signal for phone and data, the speed of the Internet transmissions increases.

3. Connect a Category 5e UTP cable to splitter and attached it to the DSL modem. This type of cable is designed to carry data signals and transmits the signals faster and with less risk of interference.

4. Optimize your computer settings to increase the processing speed for the data being received and transmitted via the Internet. Check that your Network Interface Card setting have been optimized. To find the settings, go to Control Panel, Device Manager and then Network Adaptors. Right-click to view the current settings.

5. Change the settings to the highest values to improve the performance. The default settings are not the highest but the middle range. With this change, the performance should increase and make more effective use of your processing resources.