Click here

dial-up access

Refers to connecting a device to a network via a modem and a public telephone network. Dial-up access is really just like a phone connection, except that the parties at the two ends are computer devices rather than people. Because dial-up access uses normal telephone lines, the quality of the connection is not always good and data rates are limited. In the past, the maximum data rate with dial-up access was 56 Kbps (56,000 bits per second), but new technologies such as ISDN are providing faster rates.

An alternative way to connect two computers is through a leased line, which is a permanent connection between two devices. Leased lines provide faster throughput and better quality connections, but they are also more expensive.

Also see Dial-Up Modem Standards in the Quick Reference section of Webopedia.



Top Terms
  • 1

    private cloud project

    Companies initiate private cloud projects to enable their IT infrastructure to become more capable of quickly adapting to continually evolving...

    Read more »

  • 2

    cloud backup

    A cloud backup (cloud computer backup) refers to backing up data to a remote, cloud-based server. As a form of cloud storage, cloud backup data is...

    Read more »

  • Click Here!

Connect with Webopedia

  • Android Apps for Remote Computer Access

    Remote access is useful when you need to collaborate with co-workers, help a friend with PC problems or grab files from your desktop.

    Read More »

Did You Know? Archive »

  • Quick Reference Archive »