Types of Computer Networking Cables

Coaxial Cables

• Used for cable television and broadband internet connections.
• Composed of copper or aluminum conductors encased in insulating layers.
• Metal shields are incorporated for protection.

Fiber Optic Cables

• Transmit data using pulses of light through thin glass or plastic strands.
• Offer high-speed data transfer with minimal signal loss.
• Ideal for fast internet and long-distance communication.

Ethernet Cables

• Often referred to as Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat7.
• Utilize twisted pairs of copper wires for local area network (LAN) connections.
• Provide a reliable and familiar solution for wired internet and local network setups.

The Internet

• A global system of interconnected computer networks that allows billions of users to communicate and access information worldwide.
• Uses the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP).
• Also known as a network of networks.

Connecting to the Internet

• Requires an Internet service provider (ISP) and a modem or Internet-ready cable digital subscriber line (DSL).
• Modem connects the home network to the ISP.
• Router manages traffic within the local network, directing data between devices and enabling communication.

Connecting to the Internet (Cables)

• Coaxial cables: commonly used for cable television and broadband internet connections.
• Fiber optic cables: transmit data using light pulses, offering high-speed data transfer and minimal signal loss. Ideal for fast internet and long-distance communication.
• Ethernet cables: used for local area network connections, providing a reliable solution for wired internet and local networks.

Connecting to the Internet (Devices)

• Switch: connects various devices within a local network, allowing efficient communication.
• Access point: enables wireless devices to connect to a wired network via Wi-Fi.
• Server: a digital hub that hosts websites, stores files, and manages various tasks, ensuring secure and efficient data access.

How the Internet Works

• Uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to send and receive data.
• TCP breaks large data chunks into smaller packets.
• Internet Protocol (IP) is responsible for sending these packets across the internet.
• Microwave signals are used for wireless transmission.
• Modems and routers convert these signals into binary signals (1's and 0's).
• TCP detects lost or error packets due to network congestion or traffic load balancing.
• TCP requests packets to be resent from the source.
• Packets are reassembled at the receiving end to reconstruct the original data.

IP Address

• Every computer connected to the internet has a unique IP address.
• Consists of 4 numbers (octets) separated by dots.
• Each number ranges from 0 to 255.
• Changes whenever you connect to different networks.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

• Also known as the website address.
• Every webpage has a unique URL.
• Represents the address of a web document on a computer.
• Established by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990.
• Different extensions, like .com, .org, .net, .gov, and .edu, indicate the purpose of the website.

Audio and Video

• Video uses motion and sound to create the illusion of movement.
• A sequence of still images or frames played in succession.
• Each frame contains a snapshot of the scene.