Module 2.1 Internet connections and
services
Give a short, but clear definition of the internet - correct answer ✔✔The internet is a worldwide
computer network consisting of computers, devices and networks that are linked using some form of
communication media.
Briefly describe the purpose of a WAN, and give one typical example of a WAN. - correct answer ✔✔The
purpose of a WAN is to facilitate the sharing of computer resources and the means of electronic
communication over a wide geographical area, e.g. bank networks, the internet itself.
What phrase is used to describe the trend whereby all sorts of different devices (not only computers)
connect to the internet so that they can be remotely monitored and controlled? - correct answer
✔✔Internet of Things (IoT)
Explain the role or function of an ISP. - correct answer ✔✔An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a
company that has a permanent, fast connection to the internet, and that sells internet access and
services to individuals and organisations for a monthly fee.
An ISP provides wireless and wired internet access. Give three other services that an ISP typically offers. -
correct answer ✔✔Email, web page hosting, fax-to-email and spam filtering
Internet packages refer to broadband. Explain what broadband is and why it is so important to people
using the internet. - correct answer ✔✔Broadband refers to a high-speed, high-bandwidth connection to
the internet. This connection allows users to have fast access to websites and fast downloading and
uploading. In addition, some services such as video or TV streaming will not work effectively (or will not
work at all) unless the user has a broadband connection.
What would be the main question to ask if you needed to make a choice between an ADSL and a 3G/4G
internet connection? - correct answer ✔✔Do you need to be mobile? If you do, you would have to
choose a 3G/4G connection
, A friend was looking at a 4G/LTE internet package and came across the following specifications: 90 Mbps
and 20 GB cap.Briefly explain what these two terms mean and what their significance is to your friend. -
correct answer ✔✔The 90 Mbps refers to the maximum speed of the connection - in this case 90
Megabits per second. The cap is the amount of data (measured in Gigabytes) that can be downloaded
and uploaded in a month (without having to pay extra). Here the cap is 20 GB.
An ISP reserves the right to throttle a user's internet connection, if necessary.What practical effect does
'throttling' have on an internet connection? Also explain why an ISP might decide to do this. - correct
answer ✔✔The internet connection speed slows down.The ISP believes that an excessive amount of data
is being downloaded.
Your friend looked at an ADSL package with the following specifications:
· 8 Mbps / 1 Mbps uncapped ADSL
· Shaped for normal web browsing, email, online banking and social networking services
· 10 hours free WiFi per month at more than 750 hotspots
· 5 GB cloud storage account
a) Why are there two different speeds given and what is the benefit of these to the user? - correct
answer ✔✔More bandwidth is allocated for downloading than for uploading. This is because you usually
download much more (web pages, music or video files), than upload. So you need a higher speed for
downloading than for uploading.
What does uncapped mean in this context? - correct answer ✔✔Uncapped means that there is no limit
placed on the amount of data that can be uploaded or downloaded in a month.
What does the term shaped mean in this context? - correct answer ✔✔A shaped connection means that
preference is given to certain services on the internet (such as email, downloading and browsing), while
other services (such as online gaming and VoIP) are given less preference and are slower.
What would the user typically have to pay for each month, under the ADSL contract? - correct answer
✔✔The monthly cost would include a monthly ISP cost, as well as a fixed monthly cost for the rental of
the line. You do not pay for the connection time to the internet, but you still pay for the normal
telephone calls made on the line at the normal rates.
Is ADSL a wireless connection? Briefly motivate your answer. - correct answer ✔✔No, ADSL is a
permanent digital connection that operates through your fixed landline.
services
Give a short, but clear definition of the internet - correct answer ✔✔The internet is a worldwide
computer network consisting of computers, devices and networks that are linked using some form of
communication media.
Briefly describe the purpose of a WAN, and give one typical example of a WAN. - correct answer ✔✔The
purpose of a WAN is to facilitate the sharing of computer resources and the means of electronic
communication over a wide geographical area, e.g. bank networks, the internet itself.
What phrase is used to describe the trend whereby all sorts of different devices (not only computers)
connect to the internet so that they can be remotely monitored and controlled? - correct answer
✔✔Internet of Things (IoT)
Explain the role or function of an ISP. - correct answer ✔✔An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a
company that has a permanent, fast connection to the internet, and that sells internet access and
services to individuals and organisations for a monthly fee.
An ISP provides wireless and wired internet access. Give three other services that an ISP typically offers. -
correct answer ✔✔Email, web page hosting, fax-to-email and spam filtering
Internet packages refer to broadband. Explain what broadband is and why it is so important to people
using the internet. - correct answer ✔✔Broadband refers to a high-speed, high-bandwidth connection to
the internet. This connection allows users to have fast access to websites and fast downloading and
uploading. In addition, some services such as video or TV streaming will not work effectively (or will not
work at all) unless the user has a broadband connection.
What would be the main question to ask if you needed to make a choice between an ADSL and a 3G/4G
internet connection? - correct answer ✔✔Do you need to be mobile? If you do, you would have to
choose a 3G/4G connection
, A friend was looking at a 4G/LTE internet package and came across the following specifications: 90 Mbps
and 20 GB cap.Briefly explain what these two terms mean and what their significance is to your friend. -
correct answer ✔✔The 90 Mbps refers to the maximum speed of the connection - in this case 90
Megabits per second. The cap is the amount of data (measured in Gigabytes) that can be downloaded
and uploaded in a month (without having to pay extra). Here the cap is 20 GB.
An ISP reserves the right to throttle a user's internet connection, if necessary.What practical effect does
'throttling' have on an internet connection? Also explain why an ISP might decide to do this. - correct
answer ✔✔The internet connection speed slows down.The ISP believes that an excessive amount of data
is being downloaded.
Your friend looked at an ADSL package with the following specifications:
· 8 Mbps / 1 Mbps uncapped ADSL
· Shaped for normal web browsing, email, online banking and social networking services
· 10 hours free WiFi per month at more than 750 hotspots
· 5 GB cloud storage account
a) Why are there two different speeds given and what is the benefit of these to the user? - correct
answer ✔✔More bandwidth is allocated for downloading than for uploading. This is because you usually
download much more (web pages, music or video files), than upload. So you need a higher speed for
downloading than for uploading.
What does uncapped mean in this context? - correct answer ✔✔Uncapped means that there is no limit
placed on the amount of data that can be uploaded or downloaded in a month.
What does the term shaped mean in this context? - correct answer ✔✔A shaped connection means that
preference is given to certain services on the internet (such as email, downloading and browsing), while
other services (such as online gaming and VoIP) are given less preference and are slower.
What would the user typically have to pay for each month, under the ADSL contract? - correct answer
✔✔The monthly cost would include a monthly ISP cost, as well as a fixed monthly cost for the rental of
the line. You do not pay for the connection time to the internet, but you still pay for the normal
telephone calls made on the line at the normal rates.
Is ADSL a wireless connection? Briefly motivate your answer. - correct answer ✔✔No, ADSL is a
permanent digital connection that operates through your fixed landline.
