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Architecture of Internet and Internet Connectivity

Architecture of Internet
A large variety of computers exist today - large mainframes and small PCs, slow and fast, general purpose and special purpose, Windows system and Unix system – the Internet connects them all. 

A computer is connected to the Internet at two levels, 

i) Hardware: The hardware includes network interface, modems, and cables to hook the computer physically on the Internet.
 
ii) Software: The software (also called protocols) is required to make the communication between the computers understandable and meaningful.

 
A computer or a computer network is attached with a device called Modem (short for modulator from a computer into analog voice form. This converted voice form is transmitted to the local Internet Service Provider (another computer system) through telephone links where a Modem converts it back into digital form. Through a series of ISP's this data can move across the Internet to the demodulator) that converts the digital data coming desired location as shown in the figure 3.1.


Internet Service Provider (ISP) is the agency, which enables users to access Internet services. The ISP is equipped with all tools and technology to provide you the Internet services. The computers at home or at offices have to be connected to the ISP first for accessing the Internet. The connection to ISP can be made over a telephone line, leased line or wireless/radio link connections. 

Merely having a physical connection to the Internet will not make the computers communicate with each other. They must communicate in a common language. Protocol is a set of rules that must be followed by the communicating computers in order to enable them to exchange data.

These rules specify how the data will be broken into small packets, how the packets will be addressed, how the errors will be checked and how the packets will be unpacked to retrieve the original data at the receiving end. 

Internet Connectivity 

Several types of high-speed internet connections, also known as broadband, are available today like DSL, cable modemi, satellite, wireless broadband, and fiber optic in some countries, and even more options- such as broadband over power, WiMax, and others-will be available in the near future. Any one of them will work as long as the speeds required for video calls can be obtained, since video is the most demanding part of a video call. The bandwidth delivered by Internet connections is loosely categorised as low, medium, or high. 

Types of Internet Connectivity 
1) Dial up Connections: Dial-up modem connections-also called intermittent connection is the most common type of Internet connection. Dial-up modems are popular among individuals and small to mid-sized organizations because they are inexpensive and easy to install and maintain.
 
2) ISDN Connection: ISDN is a low to medium bandwidth digital connection. A dual channel ISDN connection can combine both phone (voice) and Internet (data) transmissions simultaneously.
 
3) DSL Connections: DSL is a high bandwidth digital connection. DSL is a new, emerging type of Internet connectivity that delivers high-speed bandwidth (similar to coaxial cable modems).
 
4) Direct Connections: Direct connections-also called persistent connections- offer the highest bandwidth of all connection types. Direct Connections do not use a modem or a dialing process. Instead, they involve a dedicated, continuous high-speed connection to an (ISP) Internet Service Provider.

5) Coaxial Cable Connections: A new Internet connectivity technology has emerged that yields high bandwidth at a relatively low expense. This technology, called coaxial cable Internet access, is used primarily by consumers, not businesses.
 
6) Repurposed Cable TV: A coaxial cable Internet connection utilizes your current cable television connection. The main benefit of cable Internet connectivity is high bandwidth.

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