The Internet

How To Get Connected

• Hardware
  • A computer that runs TCP/IP software (Intel/Windows PCs, Macs, and Unix systems)
  • Modem
    • Telephone lines
    • ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connection (high speed)
    • Cable modem (high speed)
  • or, an ethernet or other networking card for a LAN

• Software
  • TCP/IP software ( for example, Trumpet Winsock)

• Telecommunication Link
  • Direct Connection
    • Through an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  user ---> modem --- phone line --> ISP modem bank ---> TCP/IP server ---> IP network router ---> Internet
  • Through a Local Area Network (LAN)

                                                                                                       other LAN users                                                                                                                       |
  user --> ethernet card --- ethernet cable/ wall jack/ data line ---> network hub --> LAN server                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                IP network router -->Internet

• Indirect Connection
  • Via an online service such as America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, or other commercial online services.
    • The online service serve as a gateway in this type of connection, and the user's access to the information on the Internet is limited by the online service.
  • Via a "host" through a modem connection. The host is connected to the Internet, but not the user's terminal, and the information is in text-only format.