DIAL UP Meaning and
Definition
-
Dial up is a term used to describe a method of connecting to the internet or a remote computer network through a telephone line by use of a modem. It involves establishing a connection by dialing a specific telephone number on a device connected to a computer system.
In this context, dial up refers to a slower and more traditional method of accessing internet services compared to broadband connections such as DSL or cable. Dial up connections typically operate at a maximum speed of 56 kilobits per second (Kbps).
To establish a dial up connection, the user's computer sends analog signals through the telephone line to a modem, which then converts these signals into digital data that can be understood by the computer. The modem at the receiving end similarly translates digital data into analog signals to be transmitted over the telephone line. This two-way conversion allows for data transfer between the user's computer and the desired remote system.
Dial up connections are characterized by their relatively slower speeds, longer connection times due to the need for dialing and handshaking processes, and the requirement of a landline telephone. While they were widely used in the earlier days of the internet, the advent of high-speed broadband connections has largely rendered dial up obsolete in most parts of the world.
Etymology of DIAL UP
The word "dial up" has its origins in the early telephone systems. "Dial" comes from the noun form of "dial" which refers to a disc or plate with markings or numbers on it. In the context of telephones, "dialing" originally referred to the action of rotating a disc on a telephone to input a number for the desired connection.
During the early days of the internet, "dial-up" specifically referred to a method of connecting to the internet via a telephone line. Users would dial a phone number provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a modem, which would establish a connection to the internet. This term became popular in the 1990s when dial-up internet access was widely used.
In essence, "dial up" originates from the literal action of dialing a phone number to connect to the internet.
Idioms with the word DIAL UP
-
dial up
The idiom "dial up" refers to the act of establishing a connection to the internet or another computer network using a modem and a phone line. It can also be used more broadly to describe a slow or outdated method of communication or access.
