Requirements for Internet & Internet Service Provider - Internet & World Wide Web, E-Commerce | E-Commerce - B Com PDF Download

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNET
The basic requirements for connecting the computer system to the internet can be classified into two categories:

• Hardware Requirement  
• Software Requirement 

Hardware Requirements

Users can use any of the PC models coming today e.g. Intel Celeron, Intel P-I, Intel P-II , Intel P-III, Intel P-IV, AMD K6, CYRIX MII, etc. The CPU of 350 MHz and above gives a good performance.

Your computer should have atleast of 16 MB RAM to have good navigation on the net. The AGP card should have at least 4 MB RAM. This helps in watching the graphics/movies on the Internet effectively.

One should have a telephone line or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connection. ISDN connection has more bandwidth as compared to a single telephone line. A modem is also required. Modem stands for modulator / demodulator. The computer operates on digital signals, whereas the telephone lines operate on analog signals. So an additional piece of hardware, i.e., modem is connected between the computer and the telephone line. Modem converts the digital signals to analog and vice versa. Modems are inbuilt or they can be connected externally. The good modems available in the market are from the companies US ROBOTICS, D-Link etc. A modem can be an ordinary modem or a fax/voice modem. The fax/voice modem in addition to data, can also carry, voice on the net.

Software Requirements : We should have connecting software and web browser software. Internet can be called upon from any operating system e.g. Windows 98, Windows NT, Linux, Unix, etc. The two most widely used web browsers are Internet explorer and Netscape communicator.

After having the basic requirements the additional requirements that are required for smooth and quality service of internet, the following software are required:

• Anti-Virus  
• Anti-Worm  
• Firewall  
• System Utilities  
• Download Accelerator or Getright like software 
• Compression and Uncompressing utilities  
• Adobe Acrobat Reader  
• Macromedia Flash  
• E-mail configuring software like MS Outlook  
• Web Messenger etc. 

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER

An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company which provides internet access to other companies or individuals. An ISP maintains connections to other networks and ISPs, acting as a router for internet traffic between a customer's computer and any other machine also connected to the internet anywhere else in the world.

TYPES OF INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER

Internet Service Provider is a company that you dial up to get on the Internet. There are basically four different kinds:

• National Companies That Offer Services through out the country. 
  • Providers:
    • BSNL
  • Pros:
    • If you travel or move, most likely you will be able to access the Internet at your new location.
    • The extra services like chat rooms can be an added bonus.
  • Cons:
    • Technical support may be hard to reach or long distance.
    • Sometimes you get busy signals when trying to access them.
    • If you don't use the services, if there is an additional charge, it is a waste of money.
    • Although you buy an unlimited account, some will send you notices if you have been online too much.
• Specialized Companies That Offer A Service Like Filtering 
  • Providers:
  •  Reliance
  • Airtel
  • Dishnet DSL
  • Satyam Infoways
  • HCL Infinet
• Pros:
  • You don't have to install additional software to get pornography  out of your computer.
  • You will not have to update your filtering software.
• Cons:
  • In some cases roaming facility of account is not available.
  • Technical support may be limited.
• Local ISPs (Small companies that offer Internet service to a small area) 
  • Providers:
    • Check in your telephone directory or yellow pages under Internet Services.
  • Pros:
    • Less error prone
    • Less disconnections
    • Offers a local dial up number if you are in a rural area that doesn't have local dial up numbers for the major providers.
  • Cons:
    • They may be limited in their equipment to offer a good, fast internet speed.
    • They may be limited in offering any web guidance.

• Free ISPs 
  • Providers:
    • Call Tiger
  • Pros:
    • Free and no commitment
  • Cons:
    • Technical support may be limited, long distance, or not available.
    • May not offer reliable service.
    • Advertising banner can take up a lot of space on your screen.
    • Some charge very high set up fees (stay away from these)