Connecting to the internet

Connecting to the internet

1. Router/Modem

   • Phone Line
     • Web Browser
   • Internet service provider
     • Internet
     • Direct connection to the internet would be very costly and so ISPs provide a cost-effective gateway for people and organisations to get onto the internet. In the UK there are many ISPs, with some of the most popular ones being BT (British Telecom), Virgin Media and Sky.
   • A piece of hardware that connects two or more networks. In relation to the internet, data from the ISP is sent into the networknetworks. In relation to the internet, data from the ISP is sent into the network and the router then directs the data packets to the correct destinations. The router also handles data travelling in the other direction. Routers can be described as ‘directors of traffic’ for the networks.