Page 111 - Viva ICSE Computer Studies 5 : E-book

Connecting to the Internet

The Internet forms the world’s largest network of networks by connecting local, regional,
national and international networks.

There are various ways of connecting to the Internet. The four main ways of connecting
a computer to the Internet are described here.

• A dial-up connection using a telephone line or an Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN)

• A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

• A cable TV connection
• A satellite connection

The fi rst thing in order to get access to the Internet is to register with an Internet Service
Provider (ISP) and open an account with them. Depending on the type of service, you

can dial-up using a device called MODEM and your telephone line or you can use a cable
MODEM.

Broadband services are now commonly available. They allow high speeds and do not
require your telephone line to be engaged while you are using the Internet. The service
provider will give you detailed instructions on how to get connected to the Internet.

Things We Need to Connect to the Internet

The fi rst thing we need to get connected to the Internet is a computer. Other than the

computer, we also need a few more things.

MODEM
MODEM stands for Modulator Demodulator. A MODEM relays information between the
computer and the Internet. It converts digital signals to analog and vice versa.

MODEM is of the following types.

• Internal MODEM: It is present inside the computer. It is installed in the computer in
the form of a card.

• External MODEM: It is present outside the CPU. It
Learn More
is in the form of a box and connects to a serial port

on the computer. It requires a connecting cable and The speed of a MODEM is
a power connection. This MODEM has lights which measured in kbps (kilobits
per second). A MODEM
display the status of the MODEM. It is important to
can have maximum speed
have a good quality telephone line in order to make of 56 kbps.

the MODEM work at the maximum speed.

99