METHODS OF CONNECTING

There are four ways to connect to the public Internet.
Host access is usually carried out via dial-up telephone lines and modems, combined with internet software on a personal computer, and allows the computer that is accessed to function fully as an internet host.
Network access is similar to host access, but is done via a leased line or an “always-on” link such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or Ether loop. In this case, all the attached computers are made into internet hosts.
Terminal access is usually carried out via dial-up telephone lines and modems combined with terminal emulation software on a personal computer; it allows interaction with another computer that is an internet host.
Gateway access is similar to terminal access, but is provided via on-line or similar proprietary services that give the user the ability to exchange e-mail with the Internet.