In this week’s beginner guide. We are going to take a look at what you will need to connect your computer to the internet. We consider fixed connection for your computer and mobile networks for mobile devices such as your smartphone.
Connecting To The Internet Over A Fixed Connection
A fixed internet connection will, in most cases, use your telephone line or cable services as the means to connect your computer to the Internet. You will need to sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who manages the connection between your home and their network, which will allow you to connect to the Internet.
The Internet Service Provider will provide a modem that manages the data sent and received over the fixed-line. The device provided by the Internet Service Provider may also be called a router. If they do provide you with a router, the modem will be contained with the router.
Depending on the technology being used to connect you to the Internet. The Internet Service Provider might also have sent you some filters, which you will need to plug into the phone socket. Ideally, you should have one for each socket.
Setup your modem/router as instructed in the documentation provided with the device.
How To Connect Your Computer To A Router
Now that your router is plugged in and connected to the telephone line, we need to connect it to the computer and depending on your computer; we are likely to have two means of connection.
The first method is to connect the computer to the router via a cable known as an Ethernet cable. It is likely, that one was supplied with your modem/router. If not, you should be able to buy an Ethernet cable of a suitable length at any good electronic or computer store.
The second method is to use a wireless connection. The router/modem supplied by your Internet Service Provider will come with details on the router ID and the password you need to use to log in wirelessly.
Once your computer has been connected to the router, you should now be able to access the internet.
Internet Connection Via A Mobile Phone Network
An alternative to using a fixed internet connection, as we discussed earlier, is to use a mobile phone network. You will need a contract with a mobile phone operator and a device that can access the mobile phone network. The device must also have the software and hardware capabilities to access the Internet. Such as a smartphone or some tablets.
As you can imagine connecting to the Internet via a mobile phone network is a good way to access the Internet while on the go. However, this capability is dependent on the coverage of the mobile network.
It is also possible to connect your computer via a specialised modem which connects to the mobile phone network. Some Internet Service Providers are starting to offer them just in case the fixed-line connection fails somehow. This is outside the scope of this beginners guide.
Conclusion
Now that you have Internet access, I would recommend that you take a look at our beginner guide to the Internet. You might also find some of our other beginner guides useful as well.
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments box below, and I will do my best to answer them. If you found this guide useful, please click the like button below.