Internet access programs manage communication and protocols to retrieve/send information to servers. They act as a bridge between the internet and computer, with little functionality of their own. Different types of programs are used for different hardware, such as modems or wireless networks.
An Internet access program is software on a computer or device that manages the communications and other protocols needed to retrieve or send information to servers connected to the Internet. These programs not only handle the normal protocols used by servers for communication, but sometimes they also act as an interface between the user’s computer and the hardware needed to transmit and receive signals, such as a router or modem. For the most part, an Internet access program simply acts as a bridge between the Internet and your computer, with little functionality of its own outside of routing network traffic. Other programs, such as web browsers, email readers, and peer-to-peer clients generally handle specific tasks that can be performed online, such as viewing a website or reading email.
The most basic type of Internet access program is one that uses a modem to connect to the Internet. A modem is a device that sends and receives signals that modulate and demodulate over standard telephone lines. An Internet access program for a modem can call the modem, sometimes through a separate set of drivers, then send and interpret signals to establish a connection via an available protocol such as point-to-point protocol (PPP). Without some kind of Internet access program, a connection could not be established and it would be impossible to use the Internet, even if the modem was dialed.
A large number of computers connect to the Internet through a digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modem. Both of these units are hardware components that have internal software and integrated hardware that allow them to use advanced hardware protocols for transmission. The Internet access software used for these devices focuses almost exclusively on simply passing information back and forth from the device to the computer, without the need for direct access to the hardware.
Another type of Internet access program is actually independent of most hardware, and is instead installed on a computer to allow it to connect to and use a specific server online. These are usually programs that are branded to a specific company or Internet Service Provider (ISP) and allow a customer to securely use available servers. The programs are designed as an ISP security feature to prevent users without the correct login program from connecting to your network and using the Internet through it.
An Internet access program can also be software used on a computer or device so that the Internet can be used over a wireless network, without the use of an Ethernet cable. These programs are capable of detecting signals, interpreting special hardware protocols such as handshaking, and then interacting with network services. Wireless Internet access programs are much more complex than those designed for wired use, as transmitted signals must be captured and isolated from all other wirelessly transmitted signals in the area.
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