components of a PC computer system and PC connections including network attachment.
Web Links Computer Basics http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/ lessonintro.htm
Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.3 Network interface card A network interface card (NIC) is a printed circuit board that provides network communication capabilities to and from a personal computer. Also called a LAN adapter, it resides in a slot on the motherboard and provides an interface connection to the network media. The type of NIC must match the media and protocol used on the local network. The NIC communicates with the network through a serial connection and with the computer through a parallel connection. The NIC uses an Interrupt Request (IRQ), an I/O address, and upper memory space to work with the operating system. An IRQ is a signal informing the CPU that an event needing attention has occurred. An IRQ is sent over a hardware line to the microprocessor when a key is pressed on the keyboard. Then the CPU enables transmission of the character from the keyboard to RAM. An I/O address is a location in the memory used to enter data or retrieve data from a computer by an auxiliary device. Upper memory refers to the memory area between the first 640 kilobytes (KB) and 1 megabyte (MB) of RAM. When selecting a NIC, consider the following factors: Interactive Media Activity PhotoZoom: Network Interface Card In this PhotoZoom, the student will view a network interface card. Web Links Network Interface Card http://www.erg.abdn.ac.uk/users/gorry/ course/lan-pages/nic.html
Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.4 NIC and modem installation Connectivity to the Internet requires an adapter card, which may be a modem or NIC. A modem, or modulator-demodulator, is a device that provides the computer with connectivity to a telephone line. The modem converts (modulates) the data from a digital signal to an analog signal that is compatible with a standard phone line. The modem at the receiving end demodulates the signal, which converts it back to digital. Modems may be installed internally or attached externally to the computer using a serial or USB interface. The installation of a NIC, which provides the interface for a host to the network, is required for each device on the network. NICs are available in different types depending on the individual device configuration. Notebook computers may have a built-in interface or use a PCMCIA card. Figure shows PCMCIA wired and wireless NICs. Desktop systems may use an internal or external NIC. Situations that require NIC installation include the following: To perform the installation of a NIC or modem the following resources may be required: Web Links Installing a Network Interface Card http://www.linfield.edu/~darnett/helpages/ NICinstall/NICStart.html
Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.5 Overview of high-speed and dial-up connectivity In the early 1960s, modems were introduced to provide connectivity for dumb terminals to a centrally based computer. Many companies used to rent computer time due to the expense of owning an on-site system, which was cost prohibitive. The connection rate was very slow, 300 bits per second (bps), translating to about 30 characters per second. As PCs became more affordable in the 1970s, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) appeared. These BBSs allowed users to connect and post or read messages on a discussion board. Running at 300 bps was acceptable, as this exceeds the speed at which most people can read or type. In the early 1980s, use of bulletin boards increased exponentially and the 300 bps speed quickly became too slow for the transfer of large files and graphics. By the 1990s modems were running at 9600 bps and reached the current standard of 56 kbps (56,000 bps) by 1998. Inevitably the high-speed services used in the corporate environment, such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modem access, moved to the consumer market. These services no longer required expensive equipment or a second phone line. These are "always on" services that provide instant access and do not require a connection to be established for each session. This gives greater reliability and flexibility, and has led to the ease of Internet connection sharing by small office and home networks.
Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.6 TCP/IP description and configuration Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a set of protocols or rules developed to allow cooperating computers to share resources across a network. To enable TCP/IP on the workstation, it must be configured using the operating system tools. The process is very similar whether using a Windows or Mac operating system. Lab Activity Lab Exercise: PC Network TCP/IP ConfigurationIn this lab, the student will identify tools used to discover a computer network configuration with various operating systems. Web Links TCP/IP Basics http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/tcpip.htm
Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.7 Testing connectivity with ping Ping is a utility used to verify Internet connectivity. It is named after the sonar operation used to locate and determine the distance to an underwater object. The ping command works by sending multiple IP packets to a specified destination. Each packet sent is a request for a reply. The output response for a ping contains the success ratio and round-trip time to the destination. From this information, it is possible to determine if there is connectivity to a destination. The ping command is used to test the NIC transmit/receive function, the TCP/IP configuration, and network connectivity. The following examples describe the types of ping tests that are commonly used in a network: Lab Activity Lab Exercise: Using ping and tracert from a Workstation In this lab, the student will learn to use the TCP/IP Packet Internet Grouper (ping) command and the Trace Route (tracert) command from a workstation. Web Links Using Ping.exe http://howto.lycos.com/lycos/step/ 1,,26166+25551+19875,00.html
Content 1.1 Connecting to the Internet 1.1.8 Web browser and plug-ins A web browser performs the following functions: A web browser is software that interprets hypertext markup language (HTML), one of the languages used to code web page content. Other markup languages with more advanced features are part of the emerging technology. HTML, the most common markup language, can display