Discovering Computers 2010 - Johnbowne.enschool

Licensed to: iChapters User76Chapter 2W3CFor more information,visit scsite.com/dc2010/ch2/weblink and thenclick W3C.The Internet and World Wide WebUntil 1995, NSFnet handled the bulk of thecommunications activity, or traffic, on the Internet.In 1995, NSFnet terminated its network on theInternet and resumed its status as a research network.Today, the Internet consists of many local,regional, national, and international networks.Numerous corporations, commercial firms, andother companies such as IBM provide networksto handle Internet traffic. Both public and privateorganizations own networks on the Internet. Thesenetworks, along with telephone companies such asVerizon and AT&T, cable and satellite companies,and the government, all contribute toward the internal structure of the Internet.Each organization on the Internet is responsibleonly for maintaining its own network. No singleperson, company, institution, or government agencycontrols or owns the Internet. The World WideWeb Consortium (W3C), however, oversees researchand sets standards and guidelines for many areas ofthe Internet. The mission of the W3C is to contribute to the growth of the Web. More than 400 organizations from around the world are members of theW3C, advising, defining standards, and addressingother issues.Internet2Internet2 is a not-for-profit research anddevelopment project that connects more than 200universities and 115 companies via a high-speed private network. Founded in 1996, the goal of Internet2is to develop and test advanced network technologies that will benefit Internet users in the short-termfuture. These technologies require an extremelyhigh-speed network that exceeds the capabilities oftoday’s Internet and networks. Examples of previous Internet2 projects that are now mainstreaminclude telemedicine, digital libraries (online books,magazines, music, movies, speeches, etc.), and fasterInternet services. Current Internet2 projects includeinteractive high-definition video and enhanceddetection and resolution of network problems.Connecting to the InternetMany home and small business users connectto the Internet via high-speed broadband Internetservice. With broadband Internet service, your computer or mobile device usually is connected to theInternet the entire time it is powered on. Examplesof broadband Internet service include cable, DSL,fiber, radio signals, and satellite. Cable Internet service provides high-speed Internetaccess through the cable television network via acable modem. DSL (digital subscriber line) provides high-speedInternet connections using regular coppertelephone lines. Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) uses fiber-optic cableto provide high-speed Internet access to homeand business users. Fixed wireless provides high-speed Internetconnections using a dish-shaped antenna on yourhouse or business to communicate with a towerlocation via radio signals. A cellular radio network offers high-speed Internetconnections to devices with built-in compatibletechnology or computers with wireless modems. A Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) network usesradio signals to provide high-speed Internetconnections to compatible or properly equippedwireless computers and devices. Satellite Internet service provides high-speedInternet connections via satellite to a satellite dishthat communicates with a satellite modem.Employees and students typically connect theircomputers to the Internet through a business orschool network. The business or school networkconnects to a high-speed broadband Internet service.Many home users set up a Wi-Fi network, whichsends signals to a communications device that is connected to a high-speed Internet service such as cableor DSL. Instead of using broadband Internet service,however, some home users connect to the Internetvia dial-up access, which is a slower-speed technology.Dial-up access takes places when the modem in yourcomputer connects to the Internet via a standard telephone line that transmits data and information usingan analog (continuous wave pattern) signal. Users mayopt for dial-up access because of its lower price orbecause broadband access is not available in their area.Mobile users access the Internet using a variety ofInternet services. Most hotels and airports providewired or wireless Internet connections as a service totravelers. Wireless Internet services, such as Wi-Finetworks, allow mobile users to connect easily to theInternet with notebook computers, smart phones,and other mobile devices while away from a telephone, cable, or other wired connection. Many publiclocations, such as airports, hotels, schools, shoppingmalls, and coffee shops, are hot spots that provideWi-Fi Internet connections to users with mobilecomputers or devices. At public locations, you maybe required to agree to terms of service, obtain apassword (for example, from the hotel’s front desk),or perform some other action in order to connect tothe Internet. Some cities provide free Wi-Fi Internetconnections to all residents.Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part.07 C6869 Ch02 REV3.indd 761/28/09 10:44:24 AM

Licensed to: iChapters UserThe Internet and World Wide WebFAQ 2-1How popular is broadband?According to a study performed by Pew Internet &American Life Project, 55 percent of American adultshave broadband Internet connections at home.Adoption of broadband connections increases duringgood economic times, while some may hesitate tomake the switch during an economic downturn. It isbelieved that once the price of a broadband connection decreases, and broadband is available in morerural areas, its popularity will increase further.For more information, visit scsite.com/dc2010/ch2/faq and then click Broadband.Access ProvidersAn access provider is a business that providesindividuals and organizations access to theInternet free or for a fee. For example, someChapter 2Wi-Fi networks provide free access while otherscharge a per use fee. Other access providers oftencharge a fixed amount for an Internet connection,offering faster speeds or more services for higherrates. Typical monthly rates range from about 5 to 24 per month for dial-up, 13 to 70 forDSL, 20 to 75 for cable, 40 to 150 for FTTP, 30 to 80 for fixed wireless, 60 to 80 for cellular networks, and 50 to 120 for satellite. ManyInternet access providers offer services such asnews, weather, financial data, games, travel guides,e-mail, photo communities, and online storageto hold digital photos and other files. (A file is anamed unit of storage.)Access providers are categorized as regionalor national ISPs, online service providers, andwireless Internet service providers (Figure 2-2).ScreenT.K.RegionalISPNationalISPOnline Service(special rOnlineServiceProviderlocal calllocal callwireless connectiontoll-free callcable Internet serviceDSLFigure 2-2 Common ways to access the Internet are through a regional or national Internet service provider, an online serviceprovider, or a wireless Internet service provider.Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part.77

Licensed to: iChapters UserChapter 2The Internet and World Wide WebFAQ 2-2An ISP (Internet service provider)is a regional or national access provider.What types of Web sites do mobile InternetA regional ISP usually provides Internetusers visit?access to a specific geographic area. AMore than 87 million individuals subscribe to a wirelessnational ISP is a business that providesInternet service provider. Mobile Internet users mostInternet access in cities and towns nationfrequently visit weather, entertainment, and e-mail Webwide. For dial-up access, some nationalsites. The chart below illustrates various types of Websites and their associated increase in traffic resultingISPs provide both local and toll-free telefrom mobile Internet users.phone numbers. Due to their larger size,national ISPs usually offer more servicesIncrease Due to Mobile Internet Usersand have a larger technical support staff25%than regional ISPs. Examples of national20%ISPs are AT&T and EarthLink.15%In addition to providing Internet10%access, an online service provider5%(OSP) also has many members-only0%features such as instant messaging ortheir own customized version of a Webbrowser. The two more popular OSPsWeb Site Typeare AOL (America Online) and MSN(Microsoft Network). AOL differs fromSource: ClickZmany OSPs in that it provides gatewayFor more information, visit scsite.com/dc2010/ch2/faqfunctionality to the Internet, meaning itand then click Mobile Internet.regulates the Internet services to whichmembers have access. AOL also providesfree access to its services to any user withHow Data and Information Travela broadband Internet connection.the InternetWhen selecting an ISP or OSP for dial-upComputers connected to the Internet workaccess, ensure it provides at least one localtogether to transfer data and informationtelephone number. Otherwise, long-distancearound the world using servers and clients andtelephone charges will apply for the time youvarious wired and wireless transmission media.connect to the Internet.On the Internet, your computer is a client thatA wireless Internet service provider (WISP)can access data, information, and services on ais a company that provides wireless Internetvariety of servers.access to desktop and notebook computers andThe inner structure of the Internet worksmobile devices, such as smart phones and portablemuch like a transportation system. Just asmedia players, with built-in wireless capabilityinterstate highways connect major cities and(such as Wi-Fi) or to computers using wirelesscarry the bulk of the automotive traffic acrossmodems or wireless access devices. Wirelessthe country, several main transmission mediamodems, which usually are in the form of acarry the heaviest amount of traffic on theUSB flash drive or a card that inserts in a slotInternet. These major carriers of networkin a computer or mobile device, generally dial atraffic are known collectively as the Internettelephone number to establish a connection withbackbone.the wireless Internet service provider. An antennaIn the United States, the transmission mediaon or built into the computer or device, wirelessthat make up the Internet backbone exchangemodem, or wireless access device typically sendsdata and information at several different majorsignals through the airwaves to communicate withcities across the country. That is, they transfera wireless Internet service provider. Some examdata and information from one network toples of wireless Internet service providers includeanother until reaching the final destinationAT&T, Boingo Wireless, Sprint Broadband(Figure 2-3).Direct, T-Mobile, and Verizon uSptEmaileninmrtaEnteWeatherPercent Increase78Wireless ModemsFor more information, visitscsite.com/dc2010/ch2/weblink and then clickWireless Modems.Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part.07 C6869 Ch02 REV3.indd 781/28/09 10:44:34 AM

Licensed to: iChapters UserThe Internet and World Wide Web79Chapter 2How a Home User’s Data and Information Might Travel the InternetUsing a Cable Modem ConnectionStep 1Step 3You initiate an actionto request data orinf

Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World, Complete Gary B. Shelly Misty E. Vermaat Executive Editor: Kathleen McMahon Senior Product Manager: Reed Curry Associate Product Manager: Jon Farnham Editorial Assistant: Lauren Brody Director of Marketing: Cheryl Costantini Marketing Manager: Tristen Kendall Marketing Coordinator: Julie .