Connecting to the Internet Chapter 7 Connecting to the Internet Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Connecting to the Internet In this Chapter, you will learn: What an Internet connection is Why you might want to connect to the Internet What you need for the connection How to connect to your ISP What World Wide Wait means About modems Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

An Internet Connection The Internet is a communications network that spans the entire globe. The Internet gives you access to services and a variety of computer data. The World Wide Web (WWW) is one of the Internet services available. An Internet connection is the way that your computer accesses the Internet. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

An Internet Connection When your PC is connected to the Internet, it is called a client computer. Your client computer sends out requests for information and processes the answer when it is received back. You can connect to the Internet through a dial-up connection or through a network (like in an office environment). Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

An Internet Connection From a home computer, you connect to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which is a company who sells access time. AOL, Comcast and AT&T Worldnet are ISPs. Your ISP connects to the Internet through a Network Service Provider (NSP). An Internet server contains the information you are looking for and is normally connected full time to the Internet. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

An Internet Connection Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Why connect to the Internet? There are a tremendous amount of information and services available. For instance, you can: Get the latest news and weather Read the days newspaper Communicate in minutes with friends and business associates through email Make travel reservations Buy all of your Christmas presents Run a meeting through a video conference Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Why connect to the Internet? For instance, you can (cont): Pay your bills Take a college course Do the research for a homework paper and then send the paper to your professor Play games Join an on-line chat group Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What you need to Connect There are many ways to connect to the Internet. The usual connection requires a computer, a modem, a phone line, an ISP, and communications software. Any computer can be used to connect, but the computer must be connected to a device that converts computer data to be sent over a phone line to the ISP. This device is called a modem. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What you need to Connect Your modem will connect you to your ISP which will provide you with a user-id and password for security and identification. Your ISP will also provide you with your unique email address and various tools for managing your mail. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What you need to Connect Things to consider when selecting an ISP: Do they provide a local phone number for access? Does it offer high speed connections and one that is compatible with your modem? Does it provide software for connecting to and surfing the Internet as well as managing your email? Can you have multiple email accounts and unlimited access time? Do they have remote access and 24 hour technical support? Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What you need to Connect Communications software Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Connecting to your ISP Steps to connect to your ISP include: Install the communications software Set up the software for your user-id/password and local telephone number Use the software to dial the ISP Some software (like a word processor) is Internet smart and will also dial your ISP when you use the send option. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Using Network Connections to connect to your ISP Connecting to your ISP Using Network Connections to connect to your ISP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What is the World Wide Wait? The Internet is growing rapidly, and accessing data on it can sometimes be slow. High volume transfers and technical problems can cause “traffic jams.” The World Wide Web (WWW) has been nicknamed “World Wide Wait.” Traffic jams are often caused by insufficient bandwidth - a measure of the transmission capacity. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What is the World Wide Wait? There are several things you can do to avoid the World Wide wait: Get a high speed modem to provide the highest possible bandwidth. Avoid peak hours of usage If your ISP’s lines are always busy, look at other ISPs Disconnect when you are complete so that others can connect Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

What is the World Wide Wait? Typical wait reasons and solutions Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Hardware – Modems A modem converts digital computer signals to analog signals that travel over telephone lines. Computers and the Internet use digital signals in the form of 0s and 1s. Data is transferred between them using analog signals in the form of sound waves. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Hardware – Modems There are three types of modems for your computer: Internal – installed inside the computer and hooked into the main circuit board. A phone line cable connects to the back of the computer. External – hooks by serial cable to the computer and by phone cable to the telephone jack. PCMCIA modem – housed on a credit card sized card, it is handy for use on notebook computers. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Hardware – Modems Three types of modems Internal External PCMCIA card Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Hardware – Modems Modem speed is measured in thousands of bits per second (Kbps) Modems typically operate in ranges of 14.4 (very slow) to 56 kbps V.92 modems allow digital data transfers without converting to analog Data/fax modems communicate with fax machines Data/voice modems can function as answering machines Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Hardware – Modems Modems occasionally need troubleshooting – some areas to try: Check both ends of the phone cord connection to be sure they are firmly plugged in and in the correct jack. Make sure external modems are plugged in. Make sure you have a dial tone on the phone line. Dial your ISP using a regular phone to check the number. Use Windows control panel to help troubleshoot. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Troubleshooting your modem Hardware – Modems Troubleshooting your modem You can initiate a modem test by clicking this button Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Using Windows Internet Connection Wizard The Internet Connection Wizard Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Do we need anonymous digital cash? What do you think? Do we need anonymous digital cash? Have you ever made a purchase from the Internet using a credit card? Do you think that most people believe that using a credit card in a restaurant is safer than using a credit card on the Internet? 3. Do you think that anonymous digital cash is a good idea? Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7

Chapter Summary You should now be able to: Connect to the Internet. Select an Internet Service Provider Install communications software and connect to your ISP Troubleshoot various causes of slow response time on the Internet Select, install and troubleshoot a modem Practical PC, 3e Chapter 7