Depending on your type of broadband connection, there are various pieces of broadband gear through which your connection is based. The following guide provides a basic breakdown of these various types of broadband gear based on respective forms of broadband.
The types of broadband gear we will discuss will reflect the following forms of broadband service:
- Digital Cable Broadband
- DSL Broadband
- Wireless Broadband
- Satellite Broadband
Regardless of your specific type of broadband service, all computers accessing high-speed Internet connections require a piece of broadband gear known as a network card. In the case of digital cable and DSL broadband, your network card connects your computer to the modem. In the case of wireless broadband, your network card acts as your wireless receiver through which you access the broadband signal.
Digital Cable Broadband Gear
Digital cable broadband gear is comprised mainly of a cable modem through which modulation of a data signal can take place. The data signal is received over a cable television infrastructure and delivered to the cable modem via coaxial cable. The modulated data signal is transferred from the cable modem to a user’s computer through another piece of broadband gear known as an Ethernet cable.
Ethernet cable is used as a transmission medium for high-speed broadband signals between cable modems, DSL modems, hubs, switches, routers, computers, etc. The most common type of Ethernet cable implemented for home usage is Cat 5 or Cat 5e cable.
DSL Broadband Gear
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) broadband represents the principal competition to digital cable broadband in the world of high-speed Internet access. The technology behind DSL broadband has been in existence since the late 1980’s, however, it was only utilized once it was apparent that broadband connectivity was rapidly replacing basic narrowband technologies.
Digital broadband allows for a digital connection across the copper wires within a local telephone network. DSL broadband gear includes a modem that converts a computer’s electronic pulses into digital audio waves to be transmitted across the phone lines. If you are receiving both your DSL signal and your POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) signal over a single line, you might need to introduce another piece of DSL broadband gear known as an electronic filter. The electronic filter ensures that the signals are being sorted into the appropriate outlet. I.E POTS signals are being transmitted to your phone and broadband signals are being transmitted to your DSL modem.
Wireless Broadband Gear
Wireless broadband gear differs from standard broadband gear in that there is no required physical connection between your computer and broadband receiver. The most important piece of wireless broadband gear is therefore your wireless network card or adapter. The only physical connection required for wireless broadband to function is through a wireless access point such as a broadband connection box.
