, 2.1 – Internet connections and services
The Internet
• Worldwide computer network, consisting of computers, devices and networks linked using
some form of communication media
WAN – Wide Area Network
Businesses and
A network spread over a wide geographical area, such shops
WAN
as a city, country or even continents
Bank networks
Internet connections
The internet
Internet Service Provider (ISP) (GAN)
• Company that has a permanent, fast connection
to the internet and that sells internet access and
services for a monthly fee
• Vodacom, Telkom, MTN, etc.
ISP Services
• Email
• Web page hosting
• Wireless and wired internet access
• Fax to email
• Spam filtering
Criteria for types of internet connections
• Broadband: high-speed and high bandwidth connection to the internet
Criteria
Speed of Shaped
Mobility line or Cap and
connection unshaped
, Wired vs. wireless connections
Wired connections
• ADSL: permanent digital connection to the internet using a normal telephone line – split into
two channels: one for phone calls and one for internet
• Fibre: data is transmitted along thin glass fibre tubes – much faster than electrical
transmission over copper cables used in ADSL
• Monthly ISP cost and a fixed monthly cost for the line rental (ADSL)
Advantages, Disadvantages, Limitations
• ADSL – cheaper than cellular connections
• ADSL – speeds drop the further you are away from the exchange
• ADSL and fibre – more stable than cellular connections
• Fibre – faster, cheaper and more stable than ADSL or cellular
• Fibre – not affected by electrical interference
Wireless connections – cellular technology
• Internet connectivity without an ADSL or fibre line
• 3G or 4G dongle on a desktop / laptop to connect to cellular network for internet access
• Smartphone / tablet used as a personal WiFi hotspot to connect other devices to the
internet
Main Advantage Disadvantages and Limitations
• Mobile access to the internet by using a • Limited or slow access if in an area with
mobile device poor cellular coverage
• Never escape communication
(information overload)
• Might need to limit amount of data you
use
WiFi
• Way of connecting to an existing ADSL or fibre connection wirelessly
• Fairly small area of coverage – ‘hotspot’
• WiFi at a public hotspot can provide cheaper
or free access
• Can use ADSL / Fibre router to create own WiFi network
• Password needed the first time you connect a device to WiFi
• Your device will also detect other WiFi networks
Internet access using smartphones and tablets
• People prefer data communication that is:
o Always on and everywhere
o Fast and reliable
o Hassle-free
The Internet
• Worldwide computer network, consisting of computers, devices and networks linked using
some form of communication media
WAN – Wide Area Network
Businesses and
A network spread over a wide geographical area, such shops
WAN
as a city, country or even continents
Bank networks
Internet connections
The internet
Internet Service Provider (ISP) (GAN)
• Company that has a permanent, fast connection
to the internet and that sells internet access and
services for a monthly fee
• Vodacom, Telkom, MTN, etc.
ISP Services
• Web page hosting
• Wireless and wired internet access
• Fax to email
• Spam filtering
Criteria for types of internet connections
• Broadband: high-speed and high bandwidth connection to the internet
Criteria
Speed of Shaped
Mobility line or Cap and
connection unshaped
, Wired vs. wireless connections
Wired connections
• ADSL: permanent digital connection to the internet using a normal telephone line – split into
two channels: one for phone calls and one for internet
• Fibre: data is transmitted along thin glass fibre tubes – much faster than electrical
transmission over copper cables used in ADSL
• Monthly ISP cost and a fixed monthly cost for the line rental (ADSL)
Advantages, Disadvantages, Limitations
• ADSL – cheaper than cellular connections
• ADSL – speeds drop the further you are away from the exchange
• ADSL and fibre – more stable than cellular connections
• Fibre – faster, cheaper and more stable than ADSL or cellular
• Fibre – not affected by electrical interference
Wireless connections – cellular technology
• Internet connectivity without an ADSL or fibre line
• 3G or 4G dongle on a desktop / laptop to connect to cellular network for internet access
• Smartphone / tablet used as a personal WiFi hotspot to connect other devices to the
internet
Main Advantage Disadvantages and Limitations
• Mobile access to the internet by using a • Limited or slow access if in an area with
mobile device poor cellular coverage
• Never escape communication
(information overload)
• Might need to limit amount of data you
use
WiFi
• Way of connecting to an existing ADSL or fibre connection wirelessly
• Fairly small area of coverage – ‘hotspot’
• WiFi at a public hotspot can provide cheaper
or free access
• Can use ADSL / Fibre router to create own WiFi network
• Password needed the first time you connect a device to WiFi
• Your device will also detect other WiFi networks
Internet access using smartphones and tablets
• People prefer data communication that is:
o Always on and everywhere
o Fast and reliable
o Hassle-free
