Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
domain name $40 million in compensatory damages and an additional $25 million in puni-
tive damages. But some companies are fighting back, suing people who register domain names
only to sell them to companies. Today, the ICANN has the authority to resolve domain-
name disputes. Under new rules, if an address is found to be “confusingly similar” to a
registered trademark, the owner of the domain name has no legitimate interest in the name.
The rule was designed in part to prevent cyber-squatters.
Accessing the Internet
Although you can connect to the Internet in numerous ways (see Figure 7.3), Internet access
is not distributed evenly throughout the world. Which access method you choose is deter-
mined by the size and capability of your organization or system.
Router/Gateway
LAN
Router/Gateway
Router/Gateway
Cell Phone
1. Connect via a
LAN server
Host computer
for an online
service
Cell Tower
Router/Gateway
Modem
2. Connect via dial-up
Modem
Connect via high-speed service
Connect via LAN Server
This approach is used by businesses and organizations that manage a local area network
(LAN). By connecting a server on the LAN to the Internet using a router, all users on the
LAN are provided access to the Internet. Business LAN servers are typically connected to the
Internet at very fast data rates, sometimes in the hundreds of Mbps. In addition, you can
share the higher cost of this service among several dozen LAN users to allow a reasonable cost
per user.
Figure 7.3
Several Ways to Access the
Internet
Users can access the Internet in
several ways, including using a
LAN server, dialing into a server
using the telephone lines, using a
high-speed service, or accessing
the Internet over a wireless
network.
Connect via Dial-up
Connecting to the Internet through a dial-up connection requires a modem that allows the
computer to use standard phone lines. The modem then contacts a server managed by the
Internet service provider (ISP). Dial-up connections use TCP/IP protocol software plus Serial
Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) software. SLIP and PPP are
two communications protocols that transmit packets over telephone lines, allowing dial-up
access to the Internet. After the connection is made, you are on the Internet and can access
any of its resources. Dial-up is considered the slowest of connections because it is restricted
by the 56 Kbps limitation of traditional phone line service. A dial-up connection also ties up
the phone line so that it is unavailable for voice calls.
