Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEMS
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DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEMS
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Subject: Computing
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 13
Grade code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 2.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Theme: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE & ORGANISATION
Subtheme: DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEMS
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In today's Ghana, the internet is not a luxury; it is a vital tool for education, business, and social life. From checking your WAEC results and accessing the GES portal to connecting with family on WhatsApp or starting a small online business, understanding how to get connected is a fundamental digital skill. This lesson will demystify the process, breaking down the essential components and steps required to connect any computer system to the vast world of the Internet. We will explore the common methods used right here in our communities, such as using Wi-Fi at home or school and sharing data from a smartphone.
A. The 'Ingredients' for an Internet Connection
Think of connecting to the internet like cooking a meal. You need specific ingredients to make it happen. These are: A Computing Device: This is your computer (desktop, laptop) or smart device (smartphone, tablet). Network Interface Card (NIC): This is a piece of hardware inside your device that allows it to talk to a network. Ethernet Port: For wired connections. It looks like a slightly larger telephone jack. Wi-Fi Adapter: For wireless connections. It's an antenna (often internal) that sends and receives radio signals. Connectivity Hardware: Modem (Modulator-Demodulator): This device converts the digital signals from your computer into analogue signals that can travel over the ISP's lines (fibre optic, telephone line, etc.) and vice versa. It's the gateway from your home/school to the ISP. Router: This device creates a local network (Local Area Network - LAN) in your home, school, or office. It allows multiple devices to share a single internet connection from the modem and routes traffic between them and the internet. Note: In Ghana, most internet packages from providers like Vodafone or MTN Fibre come with a single device that is both a modem and a router. Internet Service Provider (ISP): This is the company you pay for internet access. Examples in Ghana include MTN, Vodafone (Telecel), and Surfline. They provide the link from your home/school to the global internet. Software: Operating System (OS): Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. The OS manages the network settings and hardware. Web Browser: Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. This is the application you use to view websites. B. Three Common Ways to Connect
There are three main methods we use to connect our devices to the internet.
Method 1: Wired Connection (Ethernet)