Cable internet is a type of High Speed Broadband connection which is provided by your local TV cable services. Signals for your internet connection run along the same cable your favorite TV channels pass along. Your cables are like information Super hi-ways which directs the different signals.
Cable Internet Equipment
Setting up a cable internet connection is fairly simple. Getting a good Cable Internet provider is essential for better service and support. Equipment for setting up your Cable Internet comes bundled with the subscriber plan. Unlike DSL connections, connecting through Cable internet is sometimes tricky. Technicians are often rolled out by the company to provide installation support for new subscribers.
Cable Modems
Similar in function with DSL modems, these electronic devices translate signals from your network servers to signals which your computer can understand. The main difference between a DSL modem and a Cable modem is what type of cable connects with them. For Cable Internet subscribers a coaxial cable similar to that for your cable TV subscription is connected directly to your modem.
Cable Internet connections are always on. This means that subscribers have a steady and available access to the internet. Upon visual inspection of cable modems, a series of lights are noticed on the modem. These lights provide instant information regarding the status of your connection. Trouble shooting your cable connection is made simpler by information provided by these lights.
Cable/Wire
The quality of cables used plays a major role in determining the speed of your internet connection. High end cables which offer bigger bandwidths for signals are the most ideal to use. These are quite expensive and supplying them to every customer is too costly. Cable Internet providers utilize standard cables thus the true potential of Cable Internet speed is not reached.
Network Providers sometimes put a cap on how much bandwidth a customer gets. This is to provide equal surfing experience for all their customers. Signal loss through cable is also minimal, even allowing customers farthest from the company’s central office to enjoy the same speeds to subscribers located near their offices.
DSL connection speeds are limited by customers distance from the central office. This however does not hold true for Cable Internet subscribers. Cable Internet subscribers are offered 1.5 Mbps as standard connection speeds. The main reason behind this is the limited bandwidths offered by network providers. Online experience through Cable Internet varies from time to time. The number of subscribers who are currently online eats a lot of the cables bandwidth thus speed is significantly decreased.
Special Equipments
Cable Routers
Routers are electronic devices which you directly connect to your cable modem. These allow multiple computers to access the internet with just a single internet subscription. This is a very cost-effective option for subscribers who want to needs more than one computer connection.
Wireless Cable Modems
These are special types of modems which connects your computer wirelessly. Signals from your modem are broadcast over the air allowing a properly equipped electronic device to go online. Going online or surfing the web is not limited to laptops or computers. Phones equipped with Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) capability may also use this connection to go online. Wi-Fi is fast becoming popular these days because of their convenience. Wireless Cable Modems provide easy access for going online anywhere within range.
How does Cable Internet work?
Cable Internet or TV providers supplies signals through cables which run from their central office to your home. Like the different channels you see in your TV, internet signals are given a specific bandwidth. Cables containing these signals finally reach you home and the terminal end of the cable is attached to a cable modem. The cable modem separates the internet from TV signals. Cable modems also act as a modulator translating signals from the cable provider to those which your computer can understand. A standard way for your computer to communicate or connect with your modem is by the use of an Ethernet cable. This cable is inserted to the computers Ethernet port where the signal finally reaches your PC.