1. Complete CompTIA A+ Guide to PCs, 6e
Chapter 13: Internet Connectivity
Complete CompTIA A+ Guide to PCs, 6e
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2. Chapter Objectives To configure an internal external modem
To explain basic handshaking between a DTE device and a DCE device
To use Windows tools when working with modems
To cable and configure a DSL modem and a cable modem
Other Internet connectivity options such as satellite, broadband wireless, WiMax, and wireless modems
Why VoIP is important to technicians
To perform basic modem troubleshooting
The benefits of mentoring in the IT field
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3. CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives Covered in This Chapter
: Install and configure expansion cards.
: Compare and contrast various connection interfaces and explain their purpose.
: Identify connector types and associated cables.
: Compare and contrast Internet connection types and features.
: Compare and contrast network devices, their functions, and features.
: Setup and configure Windows networking on a client/desktop.
: Given a scenario, troubleshoot wired and wireless networks with appropriate tools.
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4. Dial-up Modems (Modulator/Demodulator)
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5. Modems Serial Communications Terminology
Serial/Asynchronous: transmit/receive data 1 bit at a time.
Synchronous: clock used to time transmission/reception of data
Start/Stop Bits: added to data in Asynchronous/Serial communication to mark the beginning/end of data.
RS232C: A “standard” used for computer serial ports.
bps: bits per second
Baud: older term used to described modem speed. “bps” is more accurate
UART: Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
motherboard chip for internal modems
Typically has buffers to store data until used by the processor
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6. Modems Serial Port Settings (more terms)
Data Bits: usually 8 or less bits per data word.
Parity: error checking method
Usually set to None for modems
FIFO (First In First Out) Setting: Enable or Disable UART chip buffer.
Flow Control (a.k.a. Handshaking): Used to coordinate serial communication
XON/XOFF(software method): special control characters used to signal remote modem to wait
RTS/CTS(hardware method typically used): specific wires in cable used to signal Request to Send/Clear to Send.
Handshaking: Control order of communications
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7. Modem Types 56Kbps Modems (Analog): Fax Modems Digital Modems
Slowest connectivity
Slowest modem determines data transmission speed
Fax Modems
Computer/Printer can be used as fax machine
Digital Modems
Connects computers to digital phone line, e.g. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) no longer very popular
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8. VoIP (Voice Over IP)
A corporate data network or the Internet is used for phone traffic rather than using the traditional PSTN (public switched telephone network).
Traditionally, companies used a separate network structure for the data network (the network where computers and printers connect), for the phone network, and for the video network.
Convergence is a term used to describe how these data, voice, and video technologies are now using one network structure instead of multiple ones.
Digital phones
1. must be connected to network like a computer.
2. may be software, i.e., “soft phone”
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9. Cable Modems
Cable modems can be internal or external devices that connect a computer to a cable TV network via NIC or USB.
Bandwidth: theoretical capacity/speed of comm. channel
Throughput: actual theoretical capacity/speed of comm. channel
Upstream: data transmitted from computer to Internet
Downstream: data transmitted from Internet to computer
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10. xDSL Modems xDSL is another modem technology.
The “x” refers to the various types of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) that are on the market (see pg. 706).
DSL:
uses traditional phone line
able to send and transmit not only voice, but also Internet data.
ADSL (Asymmetrical DSL):
faster downstream speeds than upstream.
Fine for most home Internet users.
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11. Satellite Modems
Requires at least a satellite dish and satellite modem. Usually requires additional equipment.
Transmit/Receive data from home computer to ISP through one or more satellites.
Slower than cable and DSL but faster than dial-up
May receive more “programming” than cable/DSL
Note “drawbacks” in book (pg. 709).
Cost
Decreased speed during peak times
Initial connections have lag time
VPN may not be supported
Weather can affect performance
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12. Wireless Technologies
Typically used with laptops and other mobile devices
Wireless Broadband, a.k.a., wireless/cell WAN
Faster download speeds
Wireless Hot Spots
Smartphones, computers and tablets
WiMAX
Speeds up to 1Gbps
WiMAX receiver required
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13. Web Browsers GUI between user and Internet
Microsoft's Internet Explorer
Apple Safari
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
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14. Soft Skills - Mentoring
Every great technician can tell you that he or she had at least one mentor, such as a coach, guidance, teacher, or adviser, who set a positive example in their life.
No technician can attain his or her ultimate level without being mentored and mentoring someone else along his or her career path.
Find someone who appears to be very professional and knowledgeable, someone who you want to emulate.
Knowledge is power. By sharing information with others and helping them along the way, you cement and expand your own knowledge.
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15. A+ Certification Exam Tips
The Internet connection types that are on the exam are as follows: cable, DSL, dial-up, fiber, satellite, ISDN, cellular (mobile hot spot), line of sight wireless, and WiMax. Be able to describe these technologies.
Know pros and cons of each Internet connection type.
Know when each Internet connection type would be used.
Know the purpose of a VoIP phone.
The exam includes the Internet Options Control Panel, which includes the tabs that can also be accessed from within Internet Explorer. Be familiar with each tab and why a technician would use the tab. Before the exam, re-examine those options.
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16. Chapter Summary
• Serial ports are also called asynchronous ports, COM ports, and RS232 ports.
• Serial ports use either XON/XOFF (software method) or RTS/CTS (hardware method) for flow control.
• Serial ports must be configured for the number of bits, parity, stop bits, FIFO setting, flow control, and handshaking. The two sides of the connection must match.
• The speed at which a 56K modem can transmit is limited by the number of analog-to-digital conversions.
• Internet connectivity can be provided by an analog modem, satellite modem, ISDN, cable modem, fiber, DSL modem, or wirelessly through the cell phone network, a wireless hot spot, WiMAX, or a wireless network.
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17. Chapter Summary
• Cable modem bandwidth is shared by the number of subscribers in an area. A direct fiber connection might be an option.
• A DSL modem uses a phone line. ADSL has a faster downstream than upstream speed.
• WiMax networks are line-of-sight networks.
• VoIP uses a corporate network and/or the Internet for voice connectivity. Internet-based VoIP does not offer QoS.
• Technicians frequently have to configure Internet browsers. In Internet Explorer, you use the Internet Options tabs for configuration.
• Mentoring is important when you get started as a technician and as you gain experience.
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