Content Overview The Internet is a valuable resource, and connection to it is essential for business, industry, and education. Building a network that will connect to the Internet requires careful planning. Even for the individual user some planning and decisions are necessary. The computer itself must be considered, as well as the device itself that makes the connection to the local-area network (LAN), such as the network interface card or modem. The correct protocol must be configured so that the computer can connect to the Internet. Proper selection of a web browser is also important. Students completing this lesson should be able to:

Understand the physical connection that has to take place for a computer to connect to the Internet.
Recognize the components that comprise the computer.
Install and troubleshoot network interface cards and/or modems.
Use basic testing procedures to test the Internet connection.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the use of web browsers and plug-ins.

Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.1 Requirements for Internet connection The Internet is the largest data network on earth. The Internet consists of a multitude of interconnected networks both large and small. At the edge of this giant network is the individual consumer computer. Connection to the Internet can be broken down into the physical connection, the logical connection, and the application. A physical connection is made by connecting a specialized expansion card such as a modem or a network interface card (NIC) from a computer (PC) to a network. The physical connection is used to transfer signals between PCs within the local network and to remote devices on the Internet. The logical connection uses standards called protocols. A protocol is a formal description of a set of rules and conventions that govern how devices on a network communicate. Connections to the Internet may use multiple protocols. The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite is the primary protocol used on the Internet. TCP/IP is a suite of protocols that work together to transmit data. The application that interprets the data and displays the information in an understandable form is the last part of the connection. Applications work with protocols to send and receive data across the Internet. A web browser displays Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) as a web page. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used to download files and programs from the Internet. Web browsers also use proprietary plug-in applications to display special data types such as movies or flash animations. This is an introductory view of the Internet, and it may seem an overly simple process. As the topic is explored in greater depth, it will become apparent that sending data across the Internet is a complicated task. Web Links Internet Tutorial http://library.albany.edu/internet/ How to Connect to the Internet http://library.albany.edu/internet/ connect.html

Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.2 PC basics Because computers are important building blocks in a network, it is important to be able to recognize and name the major components of a PC. Many networking devices are themselves special purpose computers, with many of the same components as normal PCs. In order to use a computer as a reliable means of obtaining information, such as accessing Web-based curriculum, it must be in good working order. To keep a PC in good working order will require occasional troubleshooting of simple problems with the computer hardware and software. Therefore it is necessary to be able to recognize the names and purposes of the following PC components: Small, Discrete Components

Transistor – Device that amplifies a signal or opens and closes a circuit.
Integrated circuit (IC) – Device made of semiconductor material that contains many transistors and performs a specific task.
Resistor – Device made of material that opposes the flow of electric current.
Capacitor – Electronic component that stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field that consists of two conducting metal plates separated by an insulating material.
Connector – The part of a cable that plugs into a port or interface.
Light emitting diode (LED) – Semiconductor device that emits light when a current passes through it.

Personal Computer Subsystems

Printed circuit board (PCB) – A thin plate on which chips or integrated circuits and other electronic components are placed.
CD-ROM drive – Compact disk read-only memory drive, which is a device that can read information from a CD-ROM.
Central processing unit (CPU) – The brains of the computer where most calculations take place.
Floppy disk drive – A disk drive that can read and write to floppy disks.
Hard disk drive – The device that reads and writes data on a hard disk.
Microprocessor – A silicon chip that contains a CPU.
Motherboard – The main circuit board of a microcomputer
Bus – A collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one part of a computer to another.
Random-access memory (RAM) – Also known as Read-Write memory, new data can be written to it and stored data can be read from it. RAM requires electrical power to maintain data storage. If the computer is turned off or loses power, all data stored in RAM is lost.
Read-only memory (ROM) – Computer memory on which data has been prerecorded. Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed and can only be read.
System unit – The main part of a PC, which includes the chassis, microprocessor, main memory, bus, and ports. The system unit does not include the keyboard, monitor, or any external devices connected to the computer.
Expansion slot – A socket on the motherboard where a circuit board can be inserted to add new capabilities to the computer.
Power supply – The component that supplies power to a computer.

Backplane Components

Backplane – The large circuit board that contains sockets for expansion cards.
Network interface card (NIC) – An expansion board inserted into a computer so that the computer can be connected to a network.
Video card – A board that plugs into a PC to give it display capabilities.
Audio card – An expansion board that enables a computer to manipulate and output sounds.
Parallel port – An interface capable of transferring more than one bit simultaneously that is used to connect external devices such as printers.
Serial port – An interface that can be used for serial communication, in which only 1 bit is transmitted at a time.
Mouse port – A port designed for connecting a mouse to a PC.
Power cord – A cord used to connect an electrical device to an electrical outlet that provides power to the device.

Think of the internal components of a PC as a network of devices, which are all attached to the system bus. In a sense, a PC is a small computer network. Lab Activity Lab Exercise: PC Hardware This lab introduces the basic peripheral