Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Most people connect to the internet through a broadband connection from their ISP (Internet service provider). In Burlington, North Carolina and the surrounding area of Alamance their are several options to choose from when selecting an ISP. The two most well known are Road Runner (through Time Warner Cable) and AT&T DSL (formerly Bellsouth DSL). Some other options are Embarq and Clearwire wireless service.
When connecting though a DSL provider, the connection comes in from a phone line into an external DSL modem. The modem is then linked to the computer through either a ethernet cable (preferred method) or a USB cable. The ethernet cable plugs into a ethernet port on the computer. Cable connections are hooked up in a similar manner. The cable is connected to a cable modem and then the modem is connected to the computer via ethernet or USB.
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Networking
A network can consist of any number of devices that need to communicate. It can be as simple as one computer and a printer. If you wish to share your internet connection with multiple computers, you can attatch a router to the modem. The router "routes" traffic between several devices and the modem.
Wireless Networking
Nearly all laptops made recently come with a built-in wireless card. If you have a wireless router or wireless access point you can connect without having a cable physically attached to the computer. Wireless networks have led to increased mobility but also increased security problems. An "open" wireless network can be tapped into by anyone within range of the signal. It is important to use security on the network to make sure no intruders are capable of accessing your computers. |
