Internet services and connectionsModule 2.1

Internet services and connectionsModule 2.1

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Content Introduction Internet connections

Internet Service Providers Criteria to consider when choosing a type of In

ternet connection

Wired versus wireless connections Internet access using smartphones and tablets

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Content Internet services

Real‑time messaging VoIP Video conferencing Cloud computing File sharing Grid computing Government Internet services

Test and improve your knowledge

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Introduction

The Internet A worldwide computer network that consists of computers and networks

that are linked using telephone lines, undersea cables, satellite and microwave connections

for the purpose of communicating and sharing resources.

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WAN: to facilitate communication and the transfer of files over a wide geographical area.

WA

N

Cellphone network

Bank network

The Internet (GAN)

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Internet connections

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Internet Service Provider a company that

has a permanent, fast connection to the Internet and sell access and services for a monthly fee

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ISPs offer the following services:

E-mail

Web page hosting

Wireless and wired Internet access

Fax‑to‑e-mail

Spam filtering

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Criteria to consider when choosing a type of Internet connectionMost people would prefer broadband – a high-speed, high-bandwidth connection to the Internet.

Criteria

Mobility Speed of

the line or connection

CapShaped

and unshaped

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wired connections – ADSL A permanent digital connection to the Internet that operates through a fixed landline.

More bandwidth for downloading than uploading.

Advertised speed

Maximum download speed Maximum upload speed

Kbps Mbps Kbps Mbps

1 MB 1024 Kbps 01.00 Mbps 512 Kbps 00.50 Mbps

512 Kb 512 Kbps 00.50 Mbps 256 Kbps 00.25 Mbps

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wired connections – ADSL Cost of Internet connection includes a

monthly ISP cost and a fixed monthly cost for the line rental.

Advantages Make phone calls on your landline and use

the line for Internet access at the same time.

A permanent connection which is always on.

Includes WiFi connectivity.

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wired connections – ADSL Disadvantages

ADSL may not be available in your area. Data speed may be limited by your physical

location. Not a mobile solution.

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Wired versus wireless connections

Modem / router

Data Terminating Devices that use different

technologies to send and receive data over

different media.

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wireless connections – Dedicated WiFi technology (e.g. iBurst or Neotel)

You can only access this type of network using a modem supplied by the company. Coverage is limited to where the company has placed radio towers.

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wireless connections – The existing cellular technology (3G/4G)

These technologies are implemented by a cellular communications company (for example, Vodacom, MTN, 8ta and Cell C) using their existing infrastructure.

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wireless connections – The existing cellular technology (3G/4G)

Advantages Mobile access 24/7 to the Internet from

anywhere in the world. Use smartphone or tablet to access the

Internet. No cables to connect to the Internet.

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Wired versus wireless connections

Wireless connections – The existing cellular technology (3G/4G)

Disadvantages and limitations Limited or slow access if in area with poor

coverage. No cables to connect to the Internet. Never escape communication (such as e-mail

and browsing). Online privacy or security could be an issue.

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Overview

Type of Internet

connection

Wired ADSL

Mobile device

can connect via WiFi to ADSL

and Internet

Wireless

Dedicated WiFi:

iBurst or NeotelCellular

technology: 3G/3G

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WiFi A way of connecting to an existing Internet

connection (e.g. an ADSL connection) wirelessly. Multiple devices can connect to a single WiFi

access point. WiFi can provide faster data at a lower cost

than if you access the Internet using a 3G connection.

WiFi connection at home: mobile devices use cheaper faster data; devices detect WiFi automatically.

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WiFi Public WiFi (Hotspots or access points):

restaurants, hotels, airports and shopping malls provide WiFi connectivity as a service. ‘Hotspot’ or an ‘access point’. Protected by a password. Public WiFi can be free or charged per hour. Efficient if you are using a laptop and don’t

have a 3G modem.

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Internet access using smartphones and tablets People prefer data communication that

is as follows: Always on and everywhere Fast and reliable A hassle‑free connection

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Internet access using smartphones and tablets

People expect their mobile devices: To be ‘always on’ To be always connected To tell you when you are being

communicated with via phone, SMS, instant messaging, e-mail or even through services such as VoIP.

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How does it work? Most mobile devices have built-in 3G

cellular technology and the hardware to connect to any standard WiFi network. Connect to the Internet using cellular

technology whenever there is a cellphone signal available.

Automatically switch over to a WiFi connection whenever one is available because WiFi data is usually faster and cheaper than cellular data.

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Study Internet connections

Read page 78 – 83

Study Summary on page 90

Complete Written module activity

Page 91 – 92

Number 1 – 9

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Internet services

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Real‑time messaging IM (Instant Messaging) and chat Mxit, BBM (BlackBerry Messenger

Services) and WhatsApp and online applications such as Google Chat, IM facility in Facebook.

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Real‑time messaging Advantages

Cost effective.

Chat in real‑time with more than one person at a time.

Indicate if available to ‘chat’.

Some applications can be used on a variety of operating systems.

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Real‑time messaging Disadvantages and limitations

Leads to anti‑social behaviour.

Creates opportunities for cyber‑stalking, cyber‑bullying and identity theft, etc.

No control to ensure that people are who they claim to be.

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VoIP Protocol that allows telephone calls to

be made over LANs, WANs and the Internet.

Voice is transmitted on a network in the same way in which data is transmitted.

Conference call technology.

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VoIP Advantages

VoIP calls are cheaper than normal phone calls.

The software is generally free.

VoIP allows you to transfer files, as well as make video conference calls.

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VoIP Disadvantages

Need an Internet connection; both users need to use the same software.

Need to purchase credits to call phones that are not on the Internet.

Call quality may be poor if you have a slow Internet connection.

You can quickly use up your data cap, especially when using video.

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Good practices when using VoIP software such as Skype Check times zones before calling someone in

another country.

Only use video when necessary.

Use decent headset and microphone.

Pay attention to your contact’s status.

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Video conferencing

Video conferencing is an application that allows two

or more people to hold online conferences at

different locations using a computer network to

transmit audio and video as if they were all in the

same room.

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Advantages of video conferencing People you are communicating with are

visible. Cheaper than normal phone calls or

travelling to a meeting.

Disadvantages of video conferencing You need a fast Internet connection. You use a lot of data (cap) especially

when using video.

Video conferencing

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Video conferencing

Good practices when video conferencing

Work in a well-lit location.

Make sure what your camera can ‘see’.

Test the sound and video before you make the call.

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Cloud computing The sharing of resources offered as services over the Internet.

The online storage of files The use of programs that run on servers

on the Internet (you see the interface to the software in your web browser and use the software as if it is running on your computer)

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Cloud computing Examples of online software

Amazon Google Drive – access to web-based word

processing, etc. Gmail and Yahoo! Mail – web-based e-mail

services.

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Cloud computing Advantages

Software is always up‑to‑date. Don’t have to download or install any software. Can use the software and access your data

anywhere in the world as long as you have an Internet connection.

Does not take up space on your local computer. Server may be more powerful than your own CPU. Can share documents with other users. Documents automatically get backed up by the

system.

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Cloud computing Disadvantages and limitations

Can only be used effectively if you have a fast, reliable Internet connection.

No longer have full control over the security of your data or backup.

May have to pay a monthly fee. Software might not have all the features

or capabilities of desktop software. Might run slower, depending on the speed

of your Internet connection.

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File sharing – e-mail attchments Inexpensive way to transfer files,

relatively fast method. But: not suitable for large files, some e-

mail systems block some file extensions, not always secure, restrictions on the number of recipients, have to send to each recipient.

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File sharing – File Transfer Protocol (FTP) A protocol used for the fast and easy

transfer of files between remote computers that have an Internet connection.

Files uploaded to FTP server, users download from FTP server.

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File sharing – File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Advantages

Large files can be transferred easily. Security can be maintained by using a

username and password. Transfer of a file can be scheduled for

time when network is not so busy.

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File sharing – File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Disadvantages and limitations

People do not know how to use FTP. Connections can be interrupted. Not all companies have FTP servers. FTP can be quite technical – people prefer

drag and drop facilities.

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File sharing – Online storage Keeping your data ‘in the cloud’Install the (generally) free software

Register with the site

Upload your

files to the site

and send the recipient

a link and

password for the relevant folder

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File sharing – Online storage Advantages

A a simple, cost‑effective method to share and transfer files.

File extensions are not blocked. The system backs up the files. You can save space on your local hard

drive. You can use these systems to synchronise

(‘sync’) your files.

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File sharing – Online storage Disadvantages and limitations

The amount of space allocated for saving files is quite small for free usage.

The people you have shared folders with or given access to these files can remove the files by mistake.

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Grid computing A system whereby the resources of different

computers are shared and used at the same time to solve a single problem.

Uses distributed processing where the processing that is necessary to solve a problem is distributed amongst computers, which increases the total processing power.

Used for scientific or technical applications that require large amounts of data to be processed, or high processing power.

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Grid computing Examples

A scientist studying scientific concepts has the ability to use an entire network of computers in order to analyse data.

A businessman has the ability to access an entire network of computers in order to forecast the growth of particular stock.

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Grid computing Advantages

Offers a cost‑effective solution and the ability to use many resources.

Provides a method to solve problems that need an enormous amount of processing power.

Saves both money and resources by utilising the power of ‘idle’ computers.

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Grid computing Disadvantages and limitations

A fast network connection between the computers and networks is necessary.

The computers that are used may not be fast enough or might be slowed down.

The computers may be affected by malware infections.

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Government Internet services Examples

Renewal of television licences & post boxes - online

Election information accessed online / SMS.

Up-to-date info / forms accessed.

UIF & tax details added / updated & payments online.

Telephone accounts & call logs – Telkom.

Educational publications, guidelines & past papers - Education Department’s website

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Government Internet services Advantages

Improved communication.

Better access to services.

No long queues or long travel distances.

Immediate feedback.

Up-to-date information and documents.

Increased efficiency and lower costs.

Smartphones can access many sites and services.

Need for hard copies is reduced – green computing.

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Government Internet services Obstacles

The Digital Divide. The initial cost. Concerns about the security, privacy and use of

information. You’re at the ‘mercy of technology’. Blame technology for what might actually be

human error. Two systems need to be maintained – the

traditional ‘manual’ system and the electronic ‘self-service’ system.

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Study Internet services

Read page 83 – 89

Study Summary on page 91

Complete Written module activity

Page 92 – 93

Number 10 – 21

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Test and improve your knowledge

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TermsWAN Internet Bandwidt

hBroadba

nd‘modem /router’

ISP Wired: ADSL

Wireless: 3G/4G Cap

‘shaped connecti

on’‘unshape

d connecti

on’

WiFi Hotspot

Real-time

messaging

VoIP

Video conferen

cing

Cloud computin

gFTP Online

storage

Grid computin

g

e-Governme

nt

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Written module activity