Now that you have read about and seen some of the wonderful things you can do with the Internet, you are wondering how to connect to it. Below is a summary of what you will need to connect an individual computer to the Internet. Computer You will need a computer, but it can be one used for other office functions, such as word processing or database management. A more powerful computer will help you to do many Internet functions faster. Modem A modem converts the digital signals of a computer to audible analog signals that can be transmitted on an ordinary telephone line.
Modems can transmit at different speeds.
To connect to the Internet, you should have a modem that can transmit at a speed of at least 14,000 bits per second, but faster is far preferable. If your office runs on a local area network, or LAN, and you want to connect the entire LAN to the Internet, you will need more than a simple modem as described here. If you are interested in a LAN Internet connection, you will probably need to contact a local ISP, telephone company, computer consulting company, or another organization that has gone through the process to see what local services are available to support this more complex connection. A UPS will usually smooth the flow of power to your computer or system, preventing damage from power surges, and it will store a limited amount of electricity. It is also a good idea to have a device called a surge protector, which protects your computer from power surges and lightning strikes.