TCP/IP First-Step [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

What is the Internet?

Answer: The Internet is the world's largest and most successful TCP/IP network ever built. It spans the globe and functions as a public utility (even though it is privately owned), which means that access to it is not restricted.

What is the official network communications protocol of the Internet?

Answer: The Internet's official network communications protocol is TCP/IP. One could argue that TCP/IP was made for the Internet.

What are your options for accessing the Internet from home?

Answer: Typically, a home Internet user can choose between dial-up access or one of two dedicated, or always-on, access technologies. Those dedicated technologies include Digital Subscriber Line (DSL, which is usually offered by telephone companies) or broadband cable (which is offered by cable TV network operators). Unfortunately, the dedicated technologies are not as universally available as dial-up service; your choices might not be as complete as you would like.

Is the fastest access technology always the best choice for you?

Answer: Generally speaking, you want to have the fastest connection to the Internet available to you. However, depending on your confidence in your ability to secure a dedicated or always-on connection, a slower connection established by dialing up might be safer.

Under what circumstances might you find yourself still using a modem with a dedicated connection to a cable TV network?

Answer: Not all cable TV networks have been upgraded to carry data bidirectionally. Some networks in more rural areas might still have an analog-only network and be unable to carry the digital signals required for Internet service. Others might only be capable of delivering high-speed data but not accepting it over a cable network. In those situations, an asymmetric cable Internet service might be offered, which requires you to dial up the cable provider's network and receive downloaded data via the cable network.