Next-Generation Modems: A Professional Guide to DSL and Cable Modems [Paperback]

Gilbert Held (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0471359815 | ISBN-13: 978-0471359814 | Edition: 1

A comparative guide to the technologies, capabilities, and costs of next-generation desktop connectivity With the advent of cable modems and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), modem technology has entered a new and highly sophisticated realm that is light-years beyond PC modems. Integrating and interoperating at high transmission levels with telephone and cable broadcast infrastructure to allow for faster, clearer transmission of data-intensive Web pages, DSLs and cable modems are competing for attention in this massive emerging market. For network managers, LAN administrators, and corporate planners charged with purchasing, installing, and troubleshooting last-mile technology for their organizations, Gilbert Held details what you'll need to know to make informed choices for the future. Offering simple explanations and in-depth comparisons, this book considers the whole range of strategic, technical, and investment concerns, from cost analysis and bandwidth limitations to suitability for various business and residential applications. Held discusses why a new generation of modems is needed and why those modems require a different infrastructure from those that transmit data over the PSTN. The fundamentals of DSLs are presented along with a look at how cable modems operate. And a comprehensive comparison of DSL and cable modem technology is provided that covers their advantages and disadvantages as well as their potential use for business and residential subscribers.

This book contains everything you'll need to know about next- generation modems including:
* Information on how infrastructure and content variables map to Web wait time
* Transmission fundamentals for current modem operations
* Discussions on how different types of DSLs overcome bandwidth limitations
* A survey of the DSL family
* A tutorial in the cable TV infrastructure
* Coverage of the cable modem standard
* Comparative analysis of costs, throughput, and suitability for various applications

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A comparative guide to the technologies, capabilities, and costs of next-generation desktop connectivity With the advent of cable modems and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), modem technology has entered a new and highly sophisticated realm that is light-years beyond PC modems. Integrating and interoperating at high transmission levels with telephone and cable broadcast infrastructure to allow for faster, clearer transmission of data-intensive Web pages, DSLs and cable modems are competing for attention in this massive emerging market. For network managers, LAN administrators, and corporate planners charged with purchasing, installing, and troubleshooting last-mile technology for their organizations, Gilbert Held details what you'll need to know to make informed choices for the future. Offering simple explanations and in-depth comparisons, this book considers the whole range of strategic, technical, and investment concerns, from cost analysis and bandwidth limitations to suitability for various business and residential applications. Held discusses why a new generation of modems is needed and why those modems require a different infrastructure from those that transmit data over the PSTN. The fundamentals of DSLs are presented along with a look at how cable modems operate. And a comprehensive comparison of DSL and cable modem technology is provided that covers their advantages and disadvantages as well as their potential use for business and residential subscribers.

This book contains everything you'll need to know about next- generation modems including:
* Information on how infrastructure and content variables map to Web wait time
* Transmission fundamentals for current modem operations
* Discussions on how different types of DSLs overcome bandwidth limitations
* A survey of the DSL family
* A tutorial in the cable TV infrastructure
* Coverage of the cable modem standard
* Comparative analysis of costs, throughput, and suitability for various applications

About the Author

GILBERT HELD is the author of over 15 professional networking titles and has managed data communications for a 4,000-station government network. He is also a regular contributor to the computer trade press and the winner of several awards for technical excellence in writing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471359815
• ISBN-13: 978-0471359814
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,572,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Technical introduction which is not too in-depth, May 23, 2001

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[e-mail] (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Next-Generation Modems: A Professional Guide to DSL and Cable Modems (Paperback)

Adequate resource for those who need to brush up on their technical knowledge of DSL and cable modems in a hurry, but not something you will want to use as a reference.

The book starts off with a review of the basics of wired transmission and modems, followed by an examination of the various DSL flavours available, with special attention devoted to G.lite, due to its viability for widespread commercial implementation. A review of the CTV infrastructure then serves as an introduction to cable modems, with emphasis on the DOCSIS standard. The book is rounded off with a short chapter on the current competition in the US between the two technologies.

It is helpful that examples of commercial products implementing technologies described are given wherever possible. I feel that the information in the chapter on DSL can be consolidated, as it seems certain that some DSL technologies will not see commercial use, and there is much in common amongst the various flavours which merit shared treatment. There is adequate coverage of the coding and modulation techniques adopted, but topics which are more technically involved e.g. adaptive echo cancellation are glossed over, perhaps because of the target audience.

One section which I found useful is the one on testing the cable modem connection; it is simple but intuitive.