Pyramid.Net High Speed Internet
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f.a.q. 

frequently asked questions

Most Frequent question/problem:

I have ADSL service with you and it's stopped working.  Rebooting (powering off for a few seconds, then back on) your DSL modem fixes this problem 99% of the time. If you also have a firewall/router connected between your DSL modem and your computer(s) do the same to it as well. Reboots often fix network, connectivity and computer glitches.

Definitions:

Analog - non-digital.  Usually refers to a modem designed to convert computer digital information to an analog waveform for transportation over standard voice phone lines.

Digital - binary.  Zeroes and ones.  A computers native information format.  Refers to digital Internet connections such as ADSL/SDSL, ISDN, most wireless, T1's, etc.

Internet - a worldwide network of computers, routers, switches, etc.  A global net of interconnected computers including servers, relay hardware, client computers, etc.

World Wide Web (www) - a subset of the Internet.  The World Wide Web applies to a collection of protocols and concepts to provide a graphical interface for a client to navigate and browse information stored on web servers.  The client uses a web browser such as MS Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, etc.

Email - electronic mail.  Another subset of the Internet.  Protocols and software designed to allow clients to compose, read, send and receive electronic messages in a fashion similar in concept to writing or receiving a written letter, but all electronically and with many more options.

Dial-Up - usually refers to a computer that must "dial-up" - normally with an analog modem although it could also be an ISDN TA or router - in order to connect to the Internet.  Therefore the computer is only connected to the Internet while "dialed up".

Always On - commonly refers to a computer or LAN that is always connected to the Internet - no dial-up is necessary.  The type of connection and associated external hardware provide a means for the client to simply turn on their computer and once the computer is up and running, they are connected to the Internet without any extra steps.

LAN - Local Area Network.  A collection of computers, usually restricted to the single home or office, wired together for the purpose of sharing data, resources and connectivity to the Internet.  Most common LAN topology today is Ethernet.

WAN - wide area network.  A collection of computers that span a far wider geographic topology then a LAN would.  Also includes collections of many LANs connected together for the purpose of seamless resource and data sharing.  The Internet in general is a super-sized WAN.  Methods to build the WAN vary far beyond the scope of this document.

Ethernet - the most common method today of building a LAN.  There are various types of Ethernet, the most used are 10baseT and 100baseT.  Both use a 4 pair, unshielded and twisted wire or cable to physically connect multiple computers together.  A network interface is required in each computer and they all connect to either a hub or switch.

Wireless - A way of building a LAN or WAN without any physical wiring connecting them.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol.  Both a protocol and software that runs on both the client systems and server systems that allow the transfer of files between one system and the other.  The transfer can take place from the client to the server, commonly called an upload.  Or from the server to the client system, commonly called a download.  Webmasters with Pyramid.Net who do not use the FrontPage extensions use this method to maintain their web pages - downloading to make backup copies of their site and uploading new or modified web pages.  But it is also used, often times invisibly by our clients through their browsers, to download files from different Internet sites such as updates, software, music, graphics and videos, etc.

ISP - Internet Service Provider.  A company, like us - Pyramid.Net - whose primary function is to connect clients computer systems to the Internet.  Similar in concept to a telephone company who connect clients phones to the global voice telecomm system or the U.S. Postal Service who connects your mailbox to the global mail delivery service.  Like them we are a transportation service and not a product based service.  And like them we cannot control what is said or done at all times within our transport system.  Nor can we guarantee certain things such as mail delivery/receipt, etc.  (There is no equivalent to the USPS certified/registered mail service within the current Internet mail protocols)

General:

Does the fact you are called Pyramid.Net have anything to do with so-called pyramid schemes?  No, absolutely not.  We are called Pyramid.Net because of Pyramid Lake located north of Reno, NV.

What is Pyramid.Net then?  Pyramid.Net is an ISP (Internet Service Provider) - and although we provide web hosting, co-location services, etc. our primary function is connecting people to the Internet.

Can my computer be hacked when I am connected to the Internet?  Yes - simply put the moment you connect your computer to the Internet or even a LAN (local area network) you run the risk of someone other then yourself accessing what resides on it by various means.  Those means and the way to prevent un-authorized access are far beyond the scope of this FAQ - although some of the methods to protect yourself will be discussed in more focused sections of our web pages such as programs we recommend, the email FAQ, the next couple of questions, etc.

Why on earth then would I wish to get connected?  Information - simply put if you are not connected, you are restricted (computer-wise anyway) to the information that resides on your computer system.  But - when you connect to the Internet you now have access to information stored on literally millions and millions of different computer systems around the globe.  People today stay informed and do research, indulge in entertainment, conduct business, stay in touch with family and friends, shop, sell, meet new people - all sorts of activities only limited by our own imaginations take place on the Internet every moment of every day.

Ok, I want access to the Internet but how do I prevent criminal hackers from getting into my computer system?  Ok, we will cover some of the basics on this page.

First - keep your computer up-to-date.  And I don't mean new hardware, I am talking about the OS (Operating System) that runs on it.  Like Windows, Mac, Unix/Linux, etc.  Find out where your OS vendor is on the web, and then locate their update pages and stay informed and install their updates.  They frequently release updates that fix security holes, correct bugs, etc.  Keep your OS up-to-date.  (There has been a rash lately of so-called emails from vendors coaxing you to install the attached software or go to an odd web site to get updates - don't do it!  Go on your own, to the official web sites to get updated!)

Second - get educated about safe/defensive Internet practices.  You are off to a good start here but do not let it end here.  There is too much information on this subject, some written quite well for us to include.  use Google or any of the other search engines and learn how to be safe on the Internet.

Third - get personal firewall software and anti-virus software at the minimum installed on your computer system.  Good additions are anti-SPAM and anti-PopUp software as well.

Last - get educated - yes I am repeating myself.  I am an expert folks and my learning never stops.  But even for beginners it's not an impossible task.  Follow these few guidelines and the odds are you will never have a problem.

Can you tell me where to start on learning to be safe on the Internet?  Yes, as a starting point check out the following link.  Get Net Wise

Where can I find some of this software they and you are talking about?  Check out our home page, left column - Recommended Software.

I cannot seem to connect.  Is Pyramid.Net down?  Probably not - we have an uptime record exceeding 99.998%.  Conversely when a client cannot connect, 99% of the time it is the fault of either client software, hardware or their phone line.  Common fixes include rebooting your computer, powering off then on your DSL modem, checking your cables to make sure they are seated properly, mis-typed passwords, wrong phone number, etc.

ADSL:

What is ADSL?  Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line - digital broadband technology over existing copper telephone wire.  Has the advantage of providing both high speed Internet access and voice capability on the same phone line simultaneously.  Standard rates to the client range from 384kbps to 1.5mbps and upstream rates are 128kbps.  Simply put depending on your service you can download at speeds from 38 to 150 kilobytes a second and upload at roughly 13 kilobytes a second.  Plus, DSL is "always on" technology, no more dial-up blues.  If your modem is on and your computer is on, you are already connected to the Internet.

How does DSL work?  DSL uses frequencies higher than those used for your existing voice telephone service.  Since the data is being transmitted at those higher frequencies it does not interfere with your normal voice line.  This means you can surf the 'Net and talk on the phone at the same time on the same line!

Is DSL available where I live?  We can do a pre-qualification test to see if your home or business can access the DSL network.  Please call us at 775-888-6013 so we can check your phone line and location for availability.

How fast is it really?  Actual download speeds will vary, depending on the load on your line (multiple computers or a single computer downloading multiple files), the load on our systems, the quality of the Internet at large at any given moment and the speed at which the server you are accessing can feed you the file(s).  No given rate is guaranteed - but we provide best effort and our clients frequently attain the best speeds available for their account.  Plus DSL by it's nature usually has far less latency then cable systems for all you online gamers out there.

SDSL/T1:

What is SDSL?  Synchronous Digital Subscriber Line - digital broadband technology over existing copper telephone wire.  Has the advantage of providing both high speed Internet access and voice capability on the same phone line simultaneously.  Standard rates to the client are 384kbps both upstream and downstream.  Simply put you can download and upload at 38 kilobytes a second.  Plus, DSL is "always on" technology, no more dial-up blues.  If your modem/router is on and your computer is on, you are already connected to the Internet.

What is Type II SDSL?  Type II SDSL differs from the standard in three major ways.  First the line is provided to us by New Edge Networks, not NV Bell.  Second, there is no voice capability to it.  Third it offers synchronous rates of 512kbps and higher.  It can even duplicate or exceed dedicated T1 performance for less cost depending on your location and need.  

Is SDSL available where I live?  Please call us at 775-888-6013 for standard SDSL pre-qualification checking on your existing NV Bell line.  For Type II SDSL please call 775-884-3202 so we can check your  location for availability.

How fast is it really?  Actual download/upload speeds will vary, depending on the load on your line (multiple computers or a single computer downloading multiple files), the load on our systems, the quality of the Internet at large at any given moment and the speed at which the server you are accessing can feed/accept your the files.  No given transfer rate is guaranteed - but we provide best effort and our clients frequently attain the best speeds available for their account.