ICT Chapter II

Access Speed and Internet and Intranet Hardware

Internet Access Speed
The Measure of Internet Access being calculate by the bandwidth. it measures the amount of information that carries on a single time or it simply measures up the Internet speed for data connection. The bigger the bandwidth, the faster the Internet speed or data access will be. Bandwidth can show analog or digital data scream. The bandwidth is very important in networks. But bandwidth does have weakness in how long it can reach and also the maximum speed of the data transmission.

The Internet Access Point and The Access Speed
There are lot ways to connect to Internet. One of them is to link up the computer to network that already has Internet Access. You need to have permission from the administrator first then set up the computer after you are connected to the network. Another one is to connect via telecommunication line. You must prepare the hardware, software, and of course you have to call your Internet Service provider to sign up. The dial up access is done via modem(modulator demodulator) and telephone line.
These are the plenty of ways to get the Internet access:

• Phone line
• ISDN(Intregated Service Digital Network)
• HSDL(High Data-Rate Digital Subscriber Lines)
• SDSL(Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
• ADSL(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
• VDSL(Very High-Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line)
• IDSL(Integrated Service Digital Network)
• VSAT(Very Small Aperture Terminal)
• Packet Radio
• Cable TV
• Electricity Cabel(PLC/Power Line Communication)
• Wireless Application Protocol(WAP)
• GPRS(General Packet Radio Service)
• WiFi(Wireless Fidelity)

Internet/Intranet Hardware

1. Proccesor
2. Memory (RAM) and Hard Disk
3. VGA Card
4. Modem
5. Telephone
6. Sound Disk

Processor
A processor is what brain is to human. it processes all the information entered uses and gives out result as wanted by the users. That's why a computer must have a processor to operate.

Memory (RAM) and Hard Disk
RAM's function is to store temporary information while hard disk's function is to store data file like message, file, picture, video, and application. The bigger the memory, the more data can be stored in it. Especially to access the Internet requires a big storage. To have a good experience in accessing the Internet, we will need a minimum RAM of 64 MB

VGA Card
VGA Card or graphic card is a hardware that transforms data from computer and transfers it to a computer monitor. Monitor's function is to show data, file, and also varios computer programs in a visual form so that it can be seen. The minimum video card to access the Internet is 4 MB.

Modem
Modem stands for Modulator-Demodulator. It is tool that we use to deliver and receive data between PC via telephone line. It can be explained as transformation of digital signal so that it can be sent via telephone. The receiving modem will the convert that analog signal back into digital signal to be later processed by the computer. There are 2 types of modem, internal and external. The internal modem is installed inside the CPU while the external is installed outside the CPU. So modem is an additional hardware for computer(either internal or external)

Telephone
Modem needs a phone line to do its work. Basically, the process when modem is connected to telephone and when starting to connect to ISP is the same as making a phone call. If someone calls you when you are using the modem, then they will get a busy signal and can't connect you. The modem speed also affect the telephone bill paid per month. The fast modem save more money than the slow modem.

Sound Card
Sound card is needed because the Internet is a multimedia world. The information in it isn't only text and picture but also video and music. To enjoy music and video, we will need a sound card.