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.