Lab 3 – Exploring Popular Internet Access

Technologies

LAB 3
EXPLORING POPULAR INTERNET
ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lab, a student should be able to:
• Understand the basic concept of Internet Access Technologies.
• Identify mechanism and current usage status for each technology.

3.1 INTRODUCTION

In the early to mid-1980s, the internet was accessed from dial-up connections using modems
and analog telephone lines. LANs typically operated at 10 Mbit/s and grew to support 100 and
1000 Mbit/s, while modem data rates grew from 1200 and 2400 bit/s in the 1980s, to 28 and
56 kbit/s by the mid to late 1990s. Broadband Internet access technologies are then introduced
to provide fasterinternet access than traditional dial-up access. The technologies include DSL,
Cable Modem, Fiber Optic and Broadband Powerline.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is similar to dial-up Internet in that they both usetelephone
lines to transmit Internet data. However, DSL service is definitely much faster than dial-up. DSL
speeds range from 384kbps to 5Mbps or more.

Cable Modem uses coaxial cables instead of telephone lines. The Internet speedsfor a cable
modem can range from 1.5Mbps to 20Mbps.

Fiber optic cables use light to transmit data through very thin glass fibers. This Internet
connection type is promising as it is capable of providing speeds about 10 times faster than
DSL or Cable internet.

Another broadband connection is BPL (Broadband over Powerline). With BPL, Internet
connection is distributed by power corporations using existing electrical outlet. BPL is
promising as it would eliminate the need to install new facilities that would provide the internet
connection.
 Lab 3 – Exploring Popular Internet Access
Technologies

3.2 EXPLORING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES

ASSIGNMENT 1 (5%) -GROUP OF 3 or 4 MEMBERS

1. Work in a group. Select ONE technology from the following

& ONE latest technology from the Internet/ Web:

i. DSL
ii. Cable Modem
iii. ISDN
iv. Wireless/ WIFI
v. FTTH
vi. Powerline Broadband
vii. Leased Line

2. Investigate the selected technologies regarding the following topics:

i. History
ii. Definition and connection diagram
iii. How it works (Include mechanism and diagram)
iv. Factors of Speed Limitation
v. Integration with other technologies (if any)
vi. Advantages and disadvantages compared to other technologies.
vii. Current usage conditions in Malaysia and other countries.

3. You must report your investigation/research:

3-1. Submit presentation slides & the recorded presentation done by all
members, which includes:

3-1-1 Topics- ONE technology from the following &

ONE latest technology
3-1-2 Snapshot/photo of group members with name, stud-ID,grp
e.g.: 3BitmS1G1, 3BitmS1G2, etc.
3-1-3 Detail Slides (contents) as No 2 (above)
3-1-4 Include animations/ movies EXPLAINING the TWO technologies
(you may create or use animations/ movies from the Internet).
3-1-5 Other relevant slides that show your creativity in knowledge delivery