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8 Mar 94
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I CONNECT TO THE INTERNET?
Many alternatives exist for connecting to the
Internet depending on who you are and what you
want to do.
It is important first to understand that the Internet
consists of many networks of computers con-
nected together. Each country typically has one or
more national public internet backbones which are
connected to each other through a variety of
global arrangements. At regional and local levels,
there are tens of thousands of organizations of
every conceivable kind that have built their own
enterprise internets and connect them to the
national backbones via a network access service.
Most of these second tier networks are operated
by organizations that provide Internet access to
their internal staff or specialize in providing
widespread public access to end-users. There are
basically two kinds of Internet end-user access
provided:
o host access where end-users connect their
computers to become part of the Internet, or
o terminal access where end users connect to a
host computer which is directly connected to
the Internet. The computer terminal itself is
not directly connected.
Lastly, many kinds of Email and on-line services
provide gateway access for messages to their
customers.
WHAT ARE MY BASIC OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS?
1. Network access assumes you have a LAN or
WAN that support TCP/IP protocols. Such
networks are generally owned and maintained by
organizations to tie together their information
resources and support host and terminal access.
The chief option is usually the bandwidth of the
access (e.g., from 14.4 to 1500 kbit/s). The cus-
tomer must also acquire the circuit to the Internet
access provider�s point of presence. Some provid-
ers allow resale of the access service to third
parties or the public.
2. Host access assumes you have a computer and
software that can support TCP/IP protocols and
potentially provides the full range and power of
Internet services limited only by the capability of
your computer. Although very good, easy to use
software has recently become available even for
PCs and Macs, host access Internet connection
generally presume a modicum of computer liter-
acy. The primary options are generally the
method of access (such as attachment to a Local
Area Network, local dialup, 800 dialup, ISDN, or
CATV data service), protocol supported (e.g.,
SLIP, CSLIP, or PPP), and POP server services.
3. Terminal access assumes only that you have a
computer with a modem and simple "asyn-
chronous" communications software that allows
operation as a terminal. The primary option is
generally the kinds of services provided (e.g.,
generally primarily Email, and may include FTP,
Telnet, or text-based Gopher services to the pro-
vider�s host computer). Binary files can only be
moved to your computer through additional file
transfer steps or encoding schemes.
4. Gateway access assumes only that you have the
ability to use the services of a particular Email or
on-line services provider - however it is done.
HOW DO I GET CONNECTED?
o Choose the type of access that best meets
your capabilities and needs as described
above.
o Find the access providers that serve your
area and determine services, costs, and sup-
port that meet your requirements. A pro-
vider list is available upon request from the
Internet Society.
o Obtain the necessary software for your com-
puter system and your selected access serv-
ice. Network and host access require
TCP/IP software. Terminal or gateway ac-
cess generally require only common asyn-
chronous communications software. Some
gateway access providers may have their
own proprietary software. A software list is
available upon request from the Internet So-
ciety.
HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Many excellent reference and guide books on the
Internet, its technologies and applications have
become available in bookstores and libraries.
Some also include basic software. Periodicals are
also available by subscription. The Internet Soci-
ety�s membership publications and conferences
provide current comprehensive information and
notices about a broad range of worldwide Internet
developments.
Courtesy of the Internet Society, Reston VA, US
Copyright � 1994 Internet Society FAQ 94-005 v.1.0
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Internet Host and Terminal Access Providers
Country
Local Area
Provider
Area Codes
Phone Nos.
Australia
Melbourne, Sydney
connect.com.au pty ltd
+61 3, +61 2
+61 3 5282239
Canada
Montreal
Communications Accessibles Montreal
514
514-931-0749
Canada
Ontario, Canada
HookUp Communication Corporation
800, PDN, 416, 519
519-747-4110
Canada
Edmonton
PUCnet Computer Connections
403
403-448-1901
Canada
Toronto
UUnorth
416, 519, 613
416-225-8649
Germany
Germany
Individual Network e.V. (IN)
+49
+49 21 31 64190
Germany
Frankfurt, Offenbach
Individual Network - Rhein-Main
+49 069
+49 69 39 048413
Germany
Ruhr
INS - Inter Networking Systems
+49 23
+49 2305 356505
Germany
Munich
muc.de e.V.
+49 089
Greece
Athens
Ariadne - Greek Academic and Research Network
+301
+301 65-13-392
UK
London
Demon Internet Systems (DIS)
+44 (0)81
+44 (0)81 349 0063
UK
London
UK PC User Group
+44 (0)81
+44 (0)81 863 6646
UK
London
The Direct Connection
+44 (0)81
+44 (0)81 317 0100
USA
San Francisco
a2i communications
408, 415
408-293-8078
USA
Portland
RainDrop Laboratories
503
n/a
USA
Alaska
University Of Alaska Southeast, Tundra Services
907
907-465-6453
USA
Providence
Anomaly - Rhode Island's Gateway To The Internet
401, 508
401-273-4669
USA
Montana
Big Sky Telegraph
406
406-683-7338, 800-982-
6668
USA
Houston
The Black Box
713
(713) 480-2684
USA
Washington DC
CAPCON Library Network
202, 301, 410, 703
202-331-5771
USA
Washington DC
Clark Internet Services, Inc. (ClarkNet)
202, 301, 410, 703
800-735-2258 then 410-
730-9764
USA
California-USA
Cooperative Library Agency for Systems and Services
310, 415, 510, 619, 714, 818,
800
USA
Denver
Community News Service
303, 719, 800
719-592-1240
USA
North Carolina
CONCERT-CONNECT
704, 919
919-248-1999
USA
San Diego
CTS Network Services (CTSNET)
619
USA
Calif., Arizona, Georgia,
USA
CR Laboratories Dialup Internet Access
213, 310, 404, 415, 510, 602,
707, 800
USA
Denver
Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
303, 719, 800
USA
San Diego
The Cyberspace Station
619
n/a
USA
Boston, KS City
DELPHI
617, PDN
800-544-4005
USA
California
DIAL n' CERF or DIAL n' CERF AYC
213, 310, 415, 510, 619, 714,
818
800-876-2373 or 619-
455-3900
USA
USA
DIAL n' CERF USA
800
800-876-2373 or 619-
455-3900
USA
New York
Echo Communications
212
212-255-3839
USA
Seattle
Eskimo North
206
206-367-7457
USA
Arizona
Evergreen Communications
602
602-955-8315
USA
Washington DC
Express Access - Digital Express
202, 301, 410, 703, 714, 908
USA
Dayton
Freelance Systems Programming
513
(513) 258-7246
USA
Seattle
GLAIDS NET
206
206-323-7483
USA
Seattle
Halcyon
206
206-955-1050
USA
Berkeley
HoloNet
510, PDN
510-704-0160
USA
Rhode Island (northern)
The IDS World Network
401
401-884-7856
USA
San Francisco
Institute for Global Communications/IGC
415, 800, PDN
415-442-0220
USA
Phoenix, Tucson
Internet Direct, Inc.
602
602-274-0200, 602-324-
0200
USA
USA
The John von Neumann Computer Network - Tiger Mail
& Dialin� Terminal
800
800-35-TIGER, 609-
897-7300
USA
Northeast USA
The John von Neumann Computer Network - Dialin'
Tiger
201, 203, 215, 401, 516, 609,
908
800-35-TIGER, 609-
897-7300
USA
Los Angeles
KAIWAN Public Access Internet Online Services
213, 310, 714
714-638-2139
USA
New York
Maestro
212, 718
212-240-9600
USA
Chicago
MCSNet
312, 708, 815
312-248-UNIX
USA
Dallas
Texas Metronet
214
214-401-2800
USA
Michigan, Washington
DC, Boston, USA
Merit Network, Inc.
313, 517, 616, 906, PDN
313-764-9430
USA
Millennium Online
PDN
800-736-0122
USA
New York
MindVOX
212, 718
212-989-2418
USA
MI (southeast)
MSen
313
313-998-4562
USA
New Hampshire
MV Communications, Inc.
603
603-429-2223
USA
Boston
NEARnet
508, 603, 617
617-873-8730
USA
major metro areas
Netcom Online Communication Services
206, 213, 214, 303, 310, 312,
404, 408, 415, 503, 510, 617,
619, 703, 714, 718, 818, 916
408-554-8649, 800-501-
8649
USA
Boston
North Shore Access
617, 508
617-593-3110
USA
Boston
NovaLink
508, 617, PDN
800-274-2814
USA
Huntsville
Nuance Network Services
205
205-533-4296
USA
Houston
South Coast Computing Services, Inc.
713
713-661-3301
USA
Seattle
Northwest Nexus Inc.
206
206-455-3505
USA
Denver, Boulder
Nyx
303
N/A
USA
Ohio areas
OARnet
614, 513, 419, 216, 800
614-292-8100
USA
Colorado Springs
Old Colorado City Communications
719
719-632-4848, 719-593-
7575 or 719-636-2040
USA
Seattle
Olympus
206
206-385-0464
USA
New York
PANIX Public Access Unix
212, 718
212-877-4854
USA
New York
The Pipeline
212, 718
212-267-3636
USA
San Jose
The Portal System
408, 415, PDN
408-973-9111
USA
Champaign-Urbana
Prairienet Freenet
217
217-244-1962
USA
Philadelphia, Pitts-
burgh, Harrisburg
PREPnet
215, 412, 717, 814
412-268-7870
USA
Major metro areas
PSI - PSILink - Personal Internet Access
[many], PDN
703-620-6651
USA
Major metro areas
PSI - World-Dial Service
PDN
703-620-6651
USA
Austin
RealTime Communications (wixer)
512
512-451-0046
USA
Houston, New Orleans
NeoSoft's Sugar Land Unix
504, 713
713-438-4964
USA
Portland, Beaverton
Teleport
503
503-223-4245
USA
Pittsburgh
Telerama Public Access Internet
412
412-481-3505
USA
San Jose
TelLink Networking
408, 415
408-247-8445
USA
Washington DC
The Meta Network
703, 202, 301, PDN
703-243-6622
USA
most metro areas
UUNET Technologies Inc
{many}
703-204-8000, 800-488-
6384
USA
Charlotte, Raleigh-
Durham
Vnet Internet Access, Inc.
704
704-374-0779
USA
Sausalito
The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL)
415, PDN
415-332-4335
USA
Cleveland
APK- Public Access UNI* Site
216
216-481-9428
USA
Boston
The World
617, PDN
617-739-0202
USA
Norfolk, Williamsburg
VA
Wyvern Technologies, Inc.
804
804-622-4289
PDN = X.25 Public Data Network Service (provides global
access with traffic charges)
Ref: Peter Kaminsky (Pdial), Aldea Communications, SRI International.
The Internet Society is not responsible for errors or omissions.
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