| Home | The Internet | History | Getting Online | Surfing the Net |
| Viruses | Netiquette | Chat |
To get your computer trip into cyberspace off to a smooth start, you need to do a checkup. This means you need to make sure your computer, keyboard, mouse, modem, and phone/cable line as well as satellite are properly connected so they can talk to each other and work together as a team (Note: Most newer computers will allow for Web access--see table below). Here's a quick list of what you need:
Hardware: Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), storage, monitor, keyboard, mouse, modem, and printer.
Software: That has TCP/IP protocol and other features to allow Internet access.
Internet Service Provider (ISP): Web browser and an account with an ISP.
| Operating System | Microsoft | Windows 2000, XP, Vista |
| CPU | Pentium V | 300MHz or higher |
| Memory | 128MB | The more the better! |
| Hard Drive | Minimum of 250 MB of available space | Often multipartitioned into C, D, and E logical drives |
| Monitor | Super VGA; millions of colors | 17 inch or larger is better |
| Keyboard/Mouse | 101 Keys, Function Keys | Web access keys, keypad |
| Modem | DSL, Cable, Satellite | |
| CD-ROM Drive | Required | |
| Internet Browser | Internet Explorer 7.0 recommended | Other popular browsers include: Firefox, Safari, Opera, Netscape, Mozilla |
| Printer | Ink-Jet or Laser | 8-12ppm; color |
| Connection | DSL, Cable, Satellite |
Now that you know what you need, let's talk about the hardware and software you'll need in more detail...
Hardware needed for Web Access:
Communications Lines: Either public or private communications lines such as telephone lines, fiber optic, cable, or wireless.
Communications Hardware: Allows you to leave the single-user environment of the PC and enter into the client-server environment of the Internet. Client-server refers to a type of computer network relationship where a server stores, or hosts, material that is accessed by a connected computer (client) that in turn may also serve as a host for other connected clients. It can be a wired or wireless network connection. In a wired network connection, the nodes are connected by private or public physical lines, such as telephone or coaxial lines, or Ethernet cabling. A wireless connection is a network where the computers are not physically connected, but rely on infrared, radio, or satellite transmission. You can input data and send it (such as email) and receive output (such as seeing a Web page) with the same connection hardware. You access more powerful and remote "servers" that store Web pages using your "client" PC which contains personalized information that can be read by the server.
Phone and Cable Modems: First, let's explain what a modem is and how it works. Modem is an acronym for Modulator-Demodulator. It allows computer data to be sent in waveform (modulated) over phone lines, then demodulated back to digital form for reception by the target computer system.
Phone modems use public telephone lines and transmit to higher than 9600 baud (a unit measuring the capacity of a transmission line to change states). Usually, modems transmit at 56Kbps (56,000 bytes per second), but there are some that still transmit at 28.8Kbps and slower. Your computer transmits and receives data according to the capabilities of its modem. A computer receiving data makes the necessary rate adjustments regardless of how fast that data was originally sent.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines are digital lines for multimedia transmission. ISDN service can have one or two 64Kbps channels. With two channels present, you can use each separately--talk on the phone on one and surf on the Web on the other. Since the lines are digital, you do not need a phone modem to convert the signals to analog. You do need an ISDN adapter connected to your computer. An ISDN connection is very reliable, but not available to many individual computer users. The speed is only 256Kbps.
Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs): DSL is available through the telephone company. It provides increased bandwidth which allows you to talk and transmit data at the same time. DSL can improve transmission up to 1.5Mbps (megabits per second). A DSL modem needs to be installed in the PC to gain such speed. DSLs have become a popular way to access the Web.
Cable Modems: Is a piece of hardware that allows digitized information to be transmitted from remote sites to local computers using existing television cable lines. It uses fiber optic lines to emulate a local area network. Fibers transmit signals through thin glass fibers as pulses of light stead of electrical pulses. These lines carry up to 1,000 times more information than unconditioned phone lines are able to handle. The network is also four to 20 times faster (150Mbps guaranteed) than an ISDN. A high-capacity television cable goes into cable modems on a PC. A small peripheral plugs into a network card that is in turn installed on the computer's system unit. After the card is attached to a serial port, the external cable modem is connected to a coaxial cable running to a cable service--most likely the same service that provides cable television transmission. The quality of the Web session is markedly faster and better with a cable modem than with a phone modem. However, if the cable network is down, you cannot access the Web; if network traffic is heavy, you'll notice a slowdown.
Satellite Web Access: Direct satellite transmission is received by an individual satellite dish that is in line with the signal from the television company ISP. The system requires a satellite modem that connects the PC to the dish's coaxial cable feed. A phone modem is still required for all of the inputs, such as typing an URL in the location window of the browser.
Software needed for Web Access:
Communications Software: Is a general connection software that can be utilized with any client-server connection. HyperTerminal is the specific communications software included in the Windows and NT Accessories program group. Procomm, Bitcomm, and Crosstalk are alternate communications programs that include auto-dialers, file transfers, and other needed programs. However, HyperTerminal is the only communications software you need. Both HyperTerminal and TCP/IP protocol are included with Windows.
The creation of the Web required establishing a computer standard for the transferring of information globally. This standard has two parts and is referred to as the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). This protocol became the universal standard that would soon be able to communicate with virtually all microcomputers in the world. TCP/IP is software for "packaging" the messages that travel over the Internet. The IP routes (or directs) messages correctly to a domain address (or Internet address). Each participant of TCP/IP has a unique 32-bit IP address, such as 122.220.53.5.
The TCP takes care of "packaging" messages--that is, it orders them so they can be transmitted and arrive in a logical fashion. It breaks the message into pieces that can be managed by the protocol and numbers each piece so that it can be reordered upon receipt. TCP even has a built-in check, called a "checksum" that checks every time a message is delivered to verify the stability of the data. If it fails the check, the message is retransmitted.
Access Providers: An Access Provider is a business that provides individuals and companies access to the Internet free or for a fee. The most common fee arrangement for an individual Internet account is a fixed amount, usually about $10 to $25 per month for dial-up, $40 to $55 for DSL and cable, $35 to $70 for fixed wireless, and $60 to $99 for satellite. Users access the Internet through regional or national Internet Service Providers (ISPs), online service providers, and wireless Internet service providers.
This site was created by
Laura Parcell for the primary purpose of teaching and demonstrating computer skills.Any questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this page or this web site should be forwarded to