Connecting to the Internet

Connecting to the Internet

1.1.1 Requirements for Internet connection

This page will describe the physical and logical requirements for an Internet connection.

The Internet is the largest data network on earth. The Internet consists of many large and small networks that are interconnected. Individual computers are the sources and destinations of information through the Internet. Connection to the Internet can be broken down into the physical connection, the logical connection, and applications.

A physical connection is made by connecting an adapter card, such as a modem or a NIC, from a PC to a network. The physical connection is used to transfer signals between PCs within the local-area network (LAN) 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 set of protocols used on the Internet. The TCP/IP suite works together to transmit and receive data, or information.

The last part of the connection are the applications, or software programs, that interpret and display data in an understandable form. Applications work with protocols to send and receive data across the Internet. A Web browser displays HTML as a Web page. Examples of Web browsers include Internet Explorer and Netscape. 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 to be a simplistic process. As the topic is explored in greater depth, students will learn that data transmission across the Internet is a complicated task.

1.1.3 Network interface card

This page will explain what a NIC is and how it works. Students will also learn how to select the best NIC for a PC.

A NIC, or LAN adapter, provides network communication capabilities to and from a PC. On desktop computer systems, it is a printed circuit board that resides in a slot on the motherboard and provides an interface connection to the network media. On laptop computer systems, it is commonly integrated into the laptop or available on a small, credit card-sized PCMCIA card. PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. PCMCIA cards are also known as PC cards. The type of NIC must match the media and protocol used on the local network.

The NIC uses an interrupt request (IRQ), an input/output (I/O) address, and upper memory space to work with the operating system. An IRQ value is an assigned location where the computer can expect a particular device to interrupt it when the device sends the computer signals about its operation. For example, when a printer has finished printing, it sends an interrupt signal to the computer. The signal momentarily interrupts the computer so that it can decide what processing to do next. Since multiple signals to the computer on the same interrupt line might not be understood by the computer, a unique value must be specified for each device and its path to the computer. Prior to Plug-and Play (PnP) devices, users often had to set IRQ values manually, or be aware of them, when adding a new device to a computer.

These considerations are important in the selection of a NIC:

• Protocols - Ethernet, Token Ring, or FDDI
• Types of media - Twisted-pair, coaxial, wireless, or fiber-optic
• Type of system bus - PCI or ISA

Students can use the Interactive Media Activity to view a NIC.

The next page will explain how NICs and modems are installed.

1.1.4 NIC and modem installation

This page will explain how an adapter card, which can be a modem or a NIC, provides Internet connectivity. Students will also learn how to install a modem or a NIC.

A modem, or modulator-demodulator, is a device that provides the computer with connectivity to a telephone line. A modem converts 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, whic 959b17j h converts it back to digital. Modems may be installed internally or attached externally to the computer using a phone line.

A NIC must be installed for each device on a network. A NIC provides a network interface for each host. Different types of NICs are used for various device configurations. Notebook computers may have a built-in interface or use a PCMCIA card. Figure shows PCMCIA wired, wireless network cards, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Ethernet adapter. Desktop systems may use an internal network adapter , called a NIC, or an external network adapter that connects to the network through a USB port.

Situations that require NIC installation include the following:

• Installation of a NIC on a PC that does not already have one
• Replacement of a malfunctioning or damaged NIC
• Upgrade from a 10-Mbps NIC to a 10/100/1000-Mbps NIC
• Change to a different type of NIC, such as wireless
• Installation of a secondary, or backup, NIC for network security reasons

To perform the installation of a NIC or modem the following resources may be required:

• Knowledge of how the adapter, jumpers, and plug-and-play software are configured
• Availability of diagnostic tools
• Ability to resolve hardware resource conflicts

The next page will describe the history of network connectivity

1.1.5 Overview of high-speed and dial-up connectivity

This page will explain how modem connectivity has evolved into high-speed services.

In the early 1960s, modems were introduced to connect dumb terminals to a central computer. Many companies used to rent computer time since it was too expensive to own an on-site system. The connection rate was very slow. It was 300 bits per second (bps), which is about 30 characters per second.

As PCs became more affordable in the 1970s, bulletin board systems (BBSs) appeared. These BBSs allowed users to connect and post or read messages on a discussion board. The 300-bps speed was acceptable since it was faster than the speed at which most people could 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. In the 1990s, modems could operate at 9600 bps. By 1998, they reached the current standard of 56,000 bps, or 56 kbps.

Soon 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 provides more reliability and flexibility and has simplified Internet connection sharing in small office and home networks.

The next page will introduce an important set of network protocols.

1.1.6 TCP/IP description and configuration

This page will introduce the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

TCP/IP is a set of protocols or rules that have been developed to allow computers to share resources across a network. The operating system tools must be used to configure TCP/IP on a workstation. The process is very similar for Windows or Mac operating systems.

The Lab Activity will teach students how to obtain basic TCP/IP configuration information.

The next page will introduce the ping command.

1.1.7 Testing connectivity with ping

This page will explain how the ping command is used to test network connectivity.

Ping is a basic program that verifies a particular IP address exists and can accept requests. The computer acronym ping stands for Packet Internet or Inter-Network Groper. The name was contrived to match the submariners' term for the sound of a returned sonar pulse from an underwater object.

The ping command works by sending special Internet Protocol (IP) packets, called Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request datagrams, 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 and receive function, the TCP/IP configuration, and network connectivity. The following types of ping commands can be issued:

• ping - This is a unique ping and is called an internal loopback test. It is used to verify the TCP/IP network configuration.
• ping IP address of host computer - A ping to a ho TCP/IP address configuration for the local host and connectivity to the host.
• ping default-gateway IP address - A ping to the default gateway indicates if the router that connects the local network to other networks can be reached.
• ping remote destination IP address - A ping to a remote destination verifies connectivity to a remote host.

Students will use the ping and tracert commands in the Lab Activity.

Web browser and plug-Ins

This page will explain what a Web browser is and how it performs the following functions:

• Contacts a Web serverRequests information
• Receives information
• Displays the results on the screen

A Web browser is software that interprets HTML, which is one of the languages used to code Web page content. Some new technologies use other markup languages with more advanced features. HTML, which is the most common markup language, can display graphics or play sound, movies, and other multimedia files. Hyperlinks that are embedded in a Web page provide a quick link to another location on the same page or a different Internet address.

Two of the most popular Web browsers are Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape Communicator. These browsers perform the same tasks. However, there are differences between them. Some websites may not support the use of one of these browsers. It is a good idea to have both programs installed.

Here are some features of Netscape Navigator:

• Was the first popular browser
• Uses less disk space
• Displays HTML files
• Performs e-mail and file transfers

Here are some features of IE:

• Is powerfully integrated with other Microsoft products
• Uses more disk space
• Displays HTML files
• Performs e-mail and file transfers

There are also many special, or proprietary, file types that standard Web browsers are not able to display. To view these files the browser must be configured to use the plug-in applications. These applications work with the browser to launch the programs required to view special files:

• Flash - Plays multimedia files created by Macromedia Flash
• Quicktime - Plays video files created by Apple
• Real Player - Plays audio files

Use the following procedure to install the Flash plug-in:

1. Go to the Macromedia website.
2. Download the flash32.exe file.
3. Run and install the plug-in in Netscape or IE.
4. Access the Cisco Academy website to verify the installation and proper operation.

Computers also perform many other useful tasks. Many employees use a set of applications in the form of an office suite such as Microsoft Office. Office applications typically include the following:

• Spreadsheet software contains tables that consist of columns and rows and it is often used with formulas to process and analyze data.
• Modern word processors allow users to create documents that include graphics and richly formatted text.
• Database management software is used to store, maintain, organize, sort, and filter records. A record is a collection of information identified by some common theme such as customer name.
• Presentation software is used to design and develop presentations to deliver at meetings, classes, or sales presentations.
• A personal information manager includes an e-mail utility, contact lists, a calendar, and a to-do list.

Office applications are now a part of daily work, as typewriters were before PCs.

The Lab Activity will help students understand how a Web browser works.

The next page will discuss the troubleshooting process

Troubleshooting Internet connection problems

The Lab Activity on this page will show students how to troubleshoot hardware, software, and network configuration problems. The goal is to locate and repair the problems in a set amount of time to gain access to the curriculum. This lab will demonstrate how complex it is to configure Internet access. This includes the processes and procedures used to troubleshoot computer hardware, software, and network systems.

This page concludes this lesson. The next lesson will discuss computer number systems. The first page will describe the binary system.

			Network Math
			Binary presentation of data

This page will explain how computers use the binary number system to represent data.

Computers work with and store data using electronic switches that are either ON or OFF. Computers can only understand and use data that is in this two-state or binary format. The 1s and 0s are used to represent the two possible states of an electronic component in a computer. 1 is represented by an ON state, and 0 is represented by an OFF state. They are referred to as binary digits or bits.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) is the code that is most commonly used to represent alpha-numeric data in a computer. ASCII uses binary digits to represent the symbols typed on the keyboard. When computers send ON or OFF states over a network, electrical, light, or radio waves are used to represent the 1s and 0s. Notice that each character is represented by a unique pattern of eight binary digits.

Because computers are designed to work with ON/OF numbers are natural to them. Humans use the decimal number system, which is relatively simple when compared to the long series of 1s and 0s used by computers. So the computer binary numbers need to be converted to decimal numbers.

Sometimes binary numbers are converted to hexadecimal numbers. This reduces a long string of binary digits to a few hexadecimal characters. It is easier to remember and to work with hexadecimal numbers.

The next page will discuss bits and bytes.F switches, binary digits and binary

Bits and bytes

This page will explain what bits and bytes are.

A binary 0 might be represented by 0 volts of electricity.

A binary 1 might be represented by +5 volts of electricity.

Computers are designed to use groupings of eight bits. This grouping of eight bits is referred to as a byte. In a computer, one byte represents a single addressable storage location. These storage locations represent a value or single character of data, such as an ASCII code. The total number of combinations of the eight switches being turned on and off is 256. The value range of a byte is from 0 to 255. So a byte is an important concept to understand when working with computers and networks.

The next page will describe the Base 10 number system.

Base 10 number system

Numbering systems consist of symbols and rules for their use. This page will discuss the most commonly used number system, which is decimal, or Base 10.

Base 10 uses the ten symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These symbols, can be combined to represent all possible numeric values.

The decimal number system is based on powers of 10. Each column position of a value, from right to left, is multiplied by the base number 10 raised to a power, which is the exponent. The power that 10 is raised to depends on its position to the left of the decimal point. When a decimal number is read from right to left, the first or rightmost position represents 10⁰, which equals 1. The second position represents 10¹, which equals 10. The third position represents 10², which equals 100. The seventh position to the left represents 10⁶, which equals 1,000,000. This is true no matter how many columns the number has.

Here is an example:

2134 = (2x10³) + (1x10²) + (3x10¹) + (4x10⁰)

This review of the decimal system will help students understand the Base 2 and Base 16 number systems. These systems use the same methods as the decimal system.

The next page will describe the Base 2 number system.

Base 2 number system

This page will discuss the number system that computers use to recognize and process data, which is binary, or Base 2.

The binary system uses only two symbols, which are 0 and 1. The position of each digit from right to left in a binary number represents the base number 2 raised to a power or exponent. These place values are, from right to left, 2⁰, 2¹, 2², 2³, 2⁴, 2⁵, 2⁶, and 2⁷, or 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 respectively.

Here is an example:

10110₂ = (1 x 2⁴ = 16) + (0 x 2³ = 0) + (1 x 2² = 4) + (1 x 2¹ = 2) + (0 x 2⁰ = 0) = 22 (16 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 0)

This example shows that the binary number 10110 is equal to the decimal number 22.

The next page will explain the conversion of decimal numbers to binary numbers.

Converting decimal numbers to 8-bit binary numbers

This page will teach students how to convert decimal numbers to binary numbers.

There are several ways to convert decimal numbers to binary numbers. The flowchart in Figure describes one method. This method is one of several methods that can be used. It is best to select one method and practice with it until it always produces the correct answer.

Conversion exercise:

Use the example below to convert the decimal number 168 to a binary number:

• 128 is less than 168 so the left most bit in the binary number is a 1. 168 - 128 = 40.
• 64 is not less than or equal to 40 so the second bit from the left is a 0.
• 32 is less than 40 so the third bit from the left is a 1. 40 - 32 = 8.
• 16 is not less than or equal to 8 so the fourth bit from the left is a 0.
• 8 is equal to 8 so the fifth bit from the left is a 1. 8 - 8 = 0. Therefore, the bits to the right are all 0.

This example shows that the decimal number 168 is equal to the binary number 10101000.

The number converter activity in Figure will allow students to practice decimal to binary conversions.

In the Lab Activity, students will practice the conversion of decimal numbers to binary numbers.

Converting 8-bit binary numbers to decimal numbers

This page will teach students how to convert binary numbers to decimal numbers.

There are two basic ways to convert binary numbers to decimal numbers. The flowchart in Figure shows one example.

Students can also multipy each binary digit by the base number of 2 raised to the exponent of its position.

Here is an example:

Convert the binary number 01110000 to a decimal number.

The Lab Activity will let students practice the conversion of binary numbers to decimal numbers.

Four-octet dotted decimal representation of 32-bit binary numbers

This page will explain how binary numbers are represented in dotted decimal notation.

Currently, addresses assigned to computers on the Internet are 32-bit binary numbers. To make it easier to work with these addresses, the 32-bit binary number is broken into a series of decimal numbers. First the binary number is split into four groups of eight binary digits. Then each group of eight bits, or octet, is converted into its decimal equivalent. This conversion can be performed as shown on the previous page.

When written, the complete binary number is represented as four groups of decimal digits separated by periods. This is called dotted decimal notation and provides a compact and easy way to refer to 32-bit addresses. This representation is used frequently later in this course, so it is necessary to understand it. For dotted decimal to binary conversions, remember that each group of one to three decimal digits represents a group of eight binary digits. If the decimal number that is being converted is less than 128, zeros will be needed to be added to the left of the equivalent binary number until there are a total of eight bits.

Try the following conversions for practice:

Convert 200.114.6.51 to its 32-bit binary equivalent.

Convert 10000000 01011101 00001111 10101010 to its dotted decimal equivalent

Hexadecimal

This page will teach students about the hexadecimal number system. Students will also learn how hexadecimal is used to represent binary and decimal numbers.

The hexadecimal or Base 16 number system is commonly used to represent binary numbers in a more readable form. Computers perform computations in binary. However, there are several instances when the binary output of a computer is expressed in hexadecimal to make it easier to read.

The configuration register in Cisco routers often requires hexadecimal to binary and binary to hexadecimal conversions. Cisco routers have a configuration register that is 16 bits long. The 16-bit binary number can be represented as a four-digit hexadecimal number. For example, 0010000100000010 in binary equals 2102 in hexadecimal. A hexadecimal number is often indicated with a 0x. For example, the hexadecimal number 2102 would be written as 0x2102.

Like the binary and decimal systems, the hexadecimal system is based on the use of symbols, powers, and positions. The symbols that hexadecimal uses are the digits 0 through 9 and the letters A through F.

All combinations of four binary digits can be represented with one hexadecimal symbol. These values require one or two decimal symbols. Two hexadecimal digits can efficiently represent any combination of eight binary digits. This would require up to four decimal digits. The use of two decimal digits to represent four bits could cause confusion. For example, the eight bit binary number 01110011 would be 115 if converted to decimal digits. It is unclear if this is 11 and 5 or 1 and 15. If 11-5 is used, the binary number would be 1011 0101, which is not the number originally converted. The hexadecimal conversion is 1F, which always converts back to 00011111.

An eight-bit binary number can be converted to two hexadecimal digits. This reduces the confusion of reading long strings of binary numbers and the amount of space it takes to write binary numbers. Remember that 0x may be used to indicate a hexadecimal value. The hexadecimal number 5D might be written as 0x5D.

To convert to binary, simply expand each hexadecimal digit into its four-bit binary equivalent.  

The Lab Activity will teach students how to convert hexadecimal numbers into decimal and binary values.

Boolean or binary logic

This page will introduce Boolean logic and explain how it is used.

Boolean logic is based on digital circuitry that accepts one or two incoming voltages. Based on the input voltages, output voltage is generated. For computers the voltage difference is represented as an ON or OFF state. These two states are associated with a binary 1 or 0.

Boolean logic is a binary logic that allows two numbers to be compared and makes a choice based on the numbers. These choices are the logical AND, OR, and NOT. With the exception of the NOT, Boolean operations have the same function. They accept two numbers, which are 1 and 0, and generate a result based on the logic rule.

The NOT operation takes the value that is presented and inverts it. A 1 becomes a 0 and a 0 becomes a 1. Remember that the logic gates are electronic devices built specifically for this purpose. The logic rule that they follow is whatever the input is, the output is the opposite.

The AND operation compares two input values. If both values are 1, the logic gate generates a 1 as the output. Otherwise it outputs a 0. There are four combinations of input values. Three of these combinations generate a 0, and one combination generates a 1.

The OR operation also takes two input values. If at least one of the input values is 1, the output value is 1. Again there are four combinations of input values. Three combinations generate a 1 and the fourth generates a 0.

The two networking operations that use Boolean logic are subnetwork and wildcard masking. The masking operations are used to filter addresses. The addresses identify the devices on the network and can be grouped together or controlled by other network operations. These functions will be explained in depth later in the curriculum.

IP addresses and network masks

This page will explain the relationship between IP addresses and network masks.

When IP addresses are assigned to computers, some of the bits on the left side of the 32-bit IP number represent a network. The number of bits designated depends on the address class. The bits left over in the 32-bit IP address identify a particular computer on the network. A computer is referred to as a host. The IP address of a computer consists of a network and a host part.

To inform a computer how the 32-bit IP address has been split, a second 32-bit number called a subnetwork mask is used. This mask is a guide that determines how the IP address is interpreted. It indicates how many of the bits are used to identify the network of the computer. The subnetwork mask sequentially fills in the 1s from the left side of the mask. A subnet mask will always be all 1s until the network address is identified and then it will be all 0s to the end of the mask. The bits in the subnet mask that are 0 identify the computer or host.

Some examples of subnet masks are as follows:

11111111000000000000000000000000 written in dotted decimal as 255.0.0.0

11111111111111110000000000000000 written in dotted decimal as 255.255.0.0

In the first example, the first eight bits from the left represent the network portion of the address, and the last 24 bits represent the host portion of the address. In the second example the first 16 bits represent the network portion of the address, and the last 16 bits represent the host portion of the address.

The IP address 10.34.23.134 in binary form is 00001010.00100010.00010111.10000110.

A Boolean AND of the IP address 10.34.23.134 and the subnet mask 255.0.0.0 produces the network address of this host:

The dotted decimal conversion is 10.0.0.0 which is the network portion of the IP address when the 255.0.0.0 mask is used.

A Boolean AND of the IP address 10.34.23.134 and the subnet mask 255.255.0.0 produces the network address of this host:

The dotted decimal conversion is 10.34.0.0 which is the network portion of the IP address when the 255.255.0.0 mask is used.

This is a brief illustration of the effect that a network mask has on an IP address. The importance of masking will become much clearer as more work with IP addresses is done. For right now it is only important that the concept of the mask is understood.

Decimal representation of IP addresses and network masksThis page summarizes the topics discussed in this module.

A connection to a computer network can be broken down into the physical connection, the logical connection, and the applications that interpret the data and display the information. Establishment and maintenance of the physical connection requires knowledge of PC components and peripherals. Connectivity to the Internet requires an adapter card, which may be a modem or a network interface card (NIC).

In the early 1960s modems were introduced to provide connectivity to a central computer. Today, access methods have progressed to services that provide constant, high-speed access.

The logical connection uses standards called protocols. The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite is the primary group of protocols used on the Internet. TCP/IP can be configured on a workstation using operating system tools. The ping utility can be used to test connectivity.

A web browser is software that is installed on the PC to gain access to the Internet and local web pages. Occasionally a browser may require plug-in applications. These applications work in conjunction with the browser to launch the program required to view special or proprietary files.

Computers recognize and process data using the binary, or Base 2, numbering system. Often the binary output of a computer is expressed in hexadecimal to make it easier to read. The ablility to convert decimal numbers to binary numbers is valuable when converting dotted decimal IP addresses to machine-readable binary format. Conversion of hexadecimal numbers to binary, and binary numbers to hexadecimal, is a common task when dealing with the configuration register in Cisco routers.

Boolean logic is a binary logic that allows two numbers to be compared and a choice generated based on the two numbers. Two networking operations that use Boolean logic are subnetting and wildcard masking.

The 32-bit binary addresses used on the Internet are referred to as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.

Bandwidth decisions are among the most important considerations when a network is designed. This module discusses the importance of bandwidth and explains how it is measured.

Layered models are used to describe network functions. This module covers the two most important models, which are the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model and the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model. The module also presents the differences and similarities between the two models.

This module also includes a brief history of networking. Students will learn about network devices and different types of physical and logical layouts. This module also defines and compares LANs, MANs, WANs, SANs, and VPNs.

This module covers some of the objectives for the CCNA 640-801, INTRO 640-821, and ICND 640-811 exams.   

Students who complete this module should be able to perform the following tasks:

• Explain the importance of bandwidth in networking
• Use an analogy to explain bandwidth
• Identify bps, kbps, Mbps, and Gbps as units of bandwidth
• Explain the difference between bandwidth and throughput
• Calculate data transfer rates
• Explain why layered models are used to describe data communication
• Explain the development of the OSI model
• List the advantages of a layered approach
• Identify each of the seven layers of the OSI model
• Identify the four layers of the TCP/IP model
• Describe the similarities and differences between the two models
• Briefly outline the history of networking
• Identify devices used in networking
• Understand the role of protocols in networking
• Define LAN, WAN, MAN, and SAN

Explain VPNs and their advantages

Describe the differences between intranets and extranets