Internet Connection Types - CompTIA A+ 220-1101 - 2.7

Summary

This video explores various internet connection types, highlighting satellite networking with its higher latency and cost, yet offering connectivity in remote areas. It compares this with terrestrial options like fiber optics for high-speed, long-distance communication, cable broadband utilizing existing cable TV infrastructure, and DSL which leverages telephone lines with asymmetric speeds. The script also touches on mobile networks and WISPs, offering internet through hotspots or local wireless connections, with the latter capable of speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Satellite internet uses a dish to communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit, offering a non-terrestrial communication method.
• 💰 The cost of satellite internet can be higher than terrestrial options due to the expense of launching satellites into space.
• 📶 Satellite connection speeds can vary, with common download speeds of 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps.
• 🔍 Satellite internet may suffer from latency issues, with round-trip times potentially totaling up to 500 milliseconds.
• 🌟 Newer technologies like Starlink aim to reduce latency to as low as 20 milliseconds, improving the user experience.
• 🌧 Weather conditions can affect satellite internet, with rain causing 'rain fade' and potential loss of connection.
• 🌐 Fiber optic connections offer high-speed internet with the ability to transmit large amounts of data quickly over long distances.
• 💸 Fiber optics can be more expensive due to higher equipment and repair costs, but provide significant bandwidth improvements.
• 📺 Cable broadband uses the same cable as cable television to provide internet, with the DOCSIS standard supporting speeds up to 1 Gbps.
• 🔊 DSL, or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, utilizes existing telephone lines for internet, with faster download speeds than uploads.
• 🏠 The distance from the central office affects DSL speeds, with a maximum serviceable distance of about 10,000 feet.
• 📶 Cellular networks provide internet connectivity away from home or office, with options like tethering or mobile hotspots.
• 📡 Wireless ISPs, or WISPs, offer internet in areas with limited infrastructure, sometimes using proprietary wireless connections and requiring outdoor antennas for optimal performance.

Q & A

What is satellite networking and how does it differ from terrestrial communication?

Satellite networking is an internet connectivity method that uses a satellite dish to communicate with a satellite in low Earth orbit. It differs from terrestrial communication as it involves non-terrestrial devices in space, which can lead to higher costs and different performance characteristics such as latency.

Why might satellite internet be more expensive than terrestrial networking?

Satellite internet can be more expensive due to the high costs associated with launching satellites into space and the specialized equipment required for communication with these satellites.

What are typical speeds for satellite internet connections?

Typical speeds for satellite internet can vary, but it's common to find download speeds of 50 megabits per second and upload speeds of three megabits per second.

What is latency and how does it affect satellite internet connections?

Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from the sender to the receiver. In satellite internet, latency can be significant due to the distance the signal travels to and from the satellite, often resulting in a total round-trip latency of around 500 milliseconds.

How does Starlink aim to improve satellite internet latency?

Starlink is a newer satellite technology that advertises lower latency times, currently at 40 milliseconds, with ongoing efforts to reduce it further to 20 milliseconds.

What is 'rain fade' and how does it impact satellite connections?

Rain fade is a phenomenon where rain or clouds interfere with the line of sight between the satellite dish and the satellite, causing a temporary loss of internet connection during inclement weather.

What are the advantages of fiber optic internet connections?

Fiber optic internet connections offer high-speed data transmission over long distances with a large capacity for information. They are commonly used in enterprise networks and are now being extended to homes and businesses to improve bandwidth.

Why might fiber optics be more expensive than other internet connection types?

Fiber optics can be more expensive due to the higher costs of the equipment and infrastructure required for installation and maintenance.

What is cable broadband and how does it work?

Cable broadband is an internet connection method that uses the same cable as cable television. It operates on the DOCSIS standard, allowing for the transmission of multiple data streams across a single wire by using different frequencies.

What speeds can be expected with DOCSIS cable broadband networks?

DOCSIS cable broadband networks can support very high speeds, with some networks offering 1 gigabit per second or even higher.

What is DSL and how does it utilize existing infrastructure?

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is a technology that uses the existing telephone lines in a home to provide high-speed internet connections. It is often asymmetric, with faster download speeds compared to upload speeds.

How does distance from the Central Office affect DSL speeds?

The distance from the Central Office can significantly affect DSL speeds, as they tend to decrease with increased distance. There is typically a 10,000-foot limitation for DSL, requiring proximity to the central office for optimal performance.

What are the common methods for using cellular networks for internet connectivity?

Cellular networks for internet connectivity can be accessed through tethering, where a device is physically connected to a phone, or by using the phone as a hotspot, enabling 802.11 capabilities for nearby devices to access the internet.

What is a WISP and how does it differ from satellite internet?

A WISP, or Wireless Internet Service Provider, provides internet access over a wireless network to local ground stations within a geographic area, rather than to satellites in space. WISPs often use meshed 802.11, 5G, or other proprietary wireless connections and may require an external antenna for optimal performance.

What kind of performance can be expected from a WISP?

Performance from a WISP can be very good, with some networks capable of operating at speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second, especially in areas where traditional infrastructure is limited.

Outlines

00:00

🛰️ Satellite Internet Connectivity

This paragraph discusses various internet connection types, focusing on satellite networking. Satellite internet uses a dish to communicate with a satellite in low Earth orbit, offering speeds of up to 50 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. However, it is more expensive than terrestrial options and comes with higher latency, around 500 milliseconds round trip. Newer technologies like Starlink aim to reduce latency to 20 milliseconds. Satellite connections are susceptible to rain fade, losing connection during rain. They operate at higher frequencies and over line of sight.

05:02

🌐 Terrestrial Internet Options

The paragraph explores terrestrial internet options, starting with fiber optics, which offer high-speed, long-distance communication at potentially higher costs due to equipment and repair expenses. Fiber optics are prevalent in enterprise networks and are now being extended to homes and businesses. Cable broadband is another option, utilizing the same cable lines as television, supporting multiple data streams across different frequencies, with speeds up to 1 Gbps through the DOCSIS standard. DSL, using existing telephone lines, provides asymmetric speeds, with faster downloads than uploads, limited by proximity to the Central Office. Lastly, cellular networks offer internet connectivity through tethering or mobile hotspots, with WISPs providing wireless internet in rural areas or where infrastructure is limited, sometimes using 5G or proprietary connections, requiring outdoor antennas for optimal performance.

Keywords

💡Internet Connectivity

Internet connectivity refers to the methods and technologies used to access the internet. In the video, it is the central theme as it discusses various ways to connect to the internet, including satellite networking, fiber optics, cable broadband, and DSL. The script mentions that 'there's more than one way to connect to the internet', emphasizing the diversity of options available for internet access.

💡Satellite Networking

Satellite networking is a method of internet connectivity that uses a satellite dish to communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit. The script describes it as a non-terrestrial communication method, highlighting its unique aspect of involving space-based devices. It is noted for potentially higher costs and varying speeds, with examples given such as '50 megabits of speed down and three megabits of speed going up to the satellite'.

💡Latency

Latency in the context of internet connectivity is the time it takes for data to travel from the sender to the receiver. The script discusses the challenges of latency in satellite connections, stating that it 'might be 250 milliseconds going up to the satellite and another 250 milliseconds coming down from the satellite'. This is crucial as it affects the responsiveness of internet services.

💡Starlink

Starlink is a newer satellite technology mentioned in the script that advertises lower latency times for internet connectivity, aiming for '40 millisecond latency times' and working towards '20 milliseconds'. It represents an advancement in satellite networking, aiming to improve the user experience by reducing the time delay in data transmission.

💡Fiber Optic

Fiber optic refers to the technology of transmitting data as pulses of light through fiber optic cables. The script praises fiber optics for their ability to send 'a very large amount of information in a very short period of time', making it a high-speed terrestrial type of internet connection. It is also noted for being more expensive due to higher equipment and repair costs.

💡Cable Broadband

Cable broadband is a method of delivering internet access via the same infrastructure used for cable television. The script explains that it uses the 'same cable that you would use for cable television' and operates on the DOCSIS standard, which supports very high speeds, potentially '1 gigabit or even higher'.

💡DOCSIS

DOCSIS stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, which is the standard for transmitting data over cable networks. The script mentions DOCSIS as enabling cable broadband to support high-speed internet without the need for additional cables, utilizing 'different frequencies on that same medium'.

💡DSL

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, specifically ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) in the script, is a technology that uses existing telephone lines to provide high-speed internet. The script points out its asymmetric nature, where 'the speed of the download is often faster than the speed of the upload', with typical speeds cited as 'around 200 megabits per second downstream but limited to around 20 megabits per second upstream'.

💡Cellular Networks

Cellular networks are mobile networks used for internet connectivity, especially when away from fixed locations. The script discusses two ways of utilizing cellular networks for internet—through tethering, where a phone is physically connected to provide internet access, and by using the phone as a hotspot to create a local 802.11 network for sharing the connection.

💡WISP

WISP stands for Wireless Internet Service Provider, which offers internet access over wireless networks, often in areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. The script describes WISPs as possibly using 'meshed 802.11' or '5G connection' for home internet, and notes that they usually require an 'external or outdoor antenna' for optimal performance.

💡Rain Fade

Rain fade is a phenomenon where the signal strength of a satellite connection is reduced due to rain or other atmospheric conditions. The script mentions this in the context of satellite internet, stating that 'if you do have rain clouds that come in, you'll have rain fade which means you'll lose your connection', illustrating a potential drawback of satellite-based internet connectivity.

Highlights

There are various ways to connect to the internet, including satellite networking, fiber optics, cable broadband, DSL, cellular networks, and wireless ISPs.

Satellite internet uses a dish to communicate with a low Earth orbit satellite, providing connectivity even in remote areas.

Satellite internet can be more expensive than terrestrial options due to the cost of launching satellites into space.

Speeds for satellite internet can vary, with common download speeds of 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps.

Latency for satellite internet can be high, with round-trip times of up to 500 milliseconds, but newer technologies aim to reduce this.

Starlink is a newer satellite technology that advertises lower latency times of 40 milliseconds, with plans to further reduce it.

Satellite connections operate at higher frequencies and can be affected by rain fade, causing temporary loss of connection.

Fiber optic internet provides high-speed connections by transmitting large amounts of data over long distances.

Fiber optics can be more expensive due to higher equipment and repair costs, but offers significant bandwidth improvements.

Cable broadband uses the same cable as cable television to provide internet, with the DOCSIS standard supporting speeds up to 1 Gbps.

DSL, or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, uses existing telephone lines to provide high-speed internet with asymmetric download and upload speeds.

DSL speeds are affected by distance from the Central Office, with a maximum distance of about 10,000 feet for optimal performance.

Cellular networks can be used for internet connectivity away from home or office, with options like tethering or creating a mobile hotspot.

Wireless ISPs, or WISPs, provide internet access in rural areas or where infrastructure is limited, using local ground stations and wireless technologies.

Some WISPs use meshed 802.11 or 5G connections for home internet, requiring an external antenna for optimal performance.

Wireless networks provided by WISPs can offer high-speed performance, with some operating at speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.

Transcripts

There's more than one way to connect to the internet.

In this video, we'll look at the different internet connection

types.

One increasingly common form of internet

connectivity is through satellite networking.

This is where you would use a satellite

dish to communicate with a satellite that's

in a low Earth orbit.

We sometimes refer to this as a non-terrestrial communication

method because we're communicating

to a device that's in space.

As you can imagine, having a rocket take your satellite

connection into space is a relatively expensive task.

And so the costs of having satellite connectivity

can be more expensive than something that might

be terrestrial networking.

The speeds over these satellite links can vary widely,

but it's not uncommon to find 50 megabits of speed

down and three megabits of speed going up to the satellite.

As you can imagine, this is a bit more complicated

than simply connecting a cable in your home, which

means that you would probably be using a satellite

connection where no other type of Internet connectivity

was available.

One of the challenge when communicating

to these satellites in space is that it can take a bit of time

to get the packets to space and back down to the ground station

again.

This means that you might have to deal with latency that

might be 250 milliseconds going up

to the satellite and another 250 milliseconds

coming down from the satellite.

There are some newer satellite technologies such as Starlink

which advertises 40 millisecond latency times,

and they're working on getting that down to 20 milliseconds.

These satellite connections tend to operate

in higher frequencies such as the two gigahertz range,

and they operate over line of sight,

which means if you do have rain clouds that come in, you'll

have rain fade which means you'll lose your connection

while that rain is between you and the satellite.

One of the higher speed terrestrial types

of internet connection is fiber.

These fiber optic links are great for internet connections

because you can send a very large amount of information

in a very short period of time.

Of course, fiber optics tends to be

more expensive because the equipment costs a bit more

for fiber optics.

You would have more expensive repairs

for the fiber optics themselves and the equipment.

But it does allow you to communicate over

very long distances.

If you've worked at all with enterprise networks,

then you're very familiar with fiber optics

and connecting your infrastructure devices

and the cores of your network together using this fiber optic

technology.

We've taken that concept of running fiber optics

in a network core and extended it

to running fiber optics to your home or to your business.

This greatly improves bandwidth for your internet connections

and gives you other options for sending or receiving

information over these high speed links.

If your home or business is serviced by a cable company,

then you might have the option for cable broadband.

This brings an internet connection

into your home or business using the same cable that you

would use for cable television.

Broadband describes a method of communication

where you can send multiple streams of data

across a single wire by communicating

across multiple frequencies on that wire.

This means on a single wire, we can transmit video, voice,

and data simply by using different frequencies

on that same medium.

If your home or your business is serviced by a cable company,

they may be able to provide you with cable broadband.

This brings in video, voice, and data communication

over the same wire that you would commonly

use for your cable television.

The standard for sending this data over cable networks

is called DOCSIS.

That stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface

Specification.

This DOCSIS standard supports very high speeds,

and it's not unusual to find DOCSIS networks that

are 1 gigabit or even higher in speed.

This also means you don't have to bring in additional cables

or services into your home.

You can simply use the same cable

that you've always used except now you

can use video, voice, and data over that same connection.

Another technology where we're sharing some existing copper

that we may already have in our home is DSL.

DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line.

Although in most cases it is ADSL or Asymmetric Digital

Subscriber Line.

DSL uses the existing telephone lines

in your home to be able to provide you with high speed

network connections.

We call this connection asymmetric

because the speed of the download

is often faster than the speed of the upload.

It's not uncommon on DSL networks

to have a downstream speed of around 200 megabits per second,

but the upstream speed is limited to around 20 megabits

per second.

These speeds are also limited by how far away you are

from the Central Office or CO.

If your CO is an extended distance away,

then those speeds tend to decrease.

There is about a 10,000 foot limitation for DSL,

so you have to be relatively close to your central office

to even have DSL capabilities.

Many of us use cellular networks for internet

connectivity, especially if we're away

from our office or our home.

These use the mobile networks that you would commonly

associate with a cell phone.

But instead of sending voice over that network,

we're communicating sending data.

One way to provide this connection

is through tethering, where we would physically

connect to our phone via USB or through Bluetooth

and use our phone then as an internet connection.

Many phones also support the ability to become a hotspot.

So they would enable 802.11 capabilities

and anything in range would be able to use that 802.11

network through your phone to access the internet.

And in some areas, you might have

an ISP that is able to send information

over a wireless network to your home.

That would be a WISP or a Wireless Internet Service

Provider.

Unlike a satellite internet connection,

we're not sending information to space.

Instead we're sending information

to local ground stations that are in our geographic area

for that ISP.

Usually you would find a WISP operating

in rural areas or places where there's not

a large infrastructure already available to send

internet traffic.

Some of these wireless ISPs will use meshed 802.11

to be able to connect devices.

They might have a 5G connection for your home internet

or they may be using some other type of proprietary wireless

connection.

In many cases, you'll need an external or outdoor antenna

to be able to send and receive information from this WISP.

And usually you get very good performance

from these wireless networks.

In some areas, these networks can operate up

to 1,000 megabits per second.