What is a modem and why do I need one to connect to the Internet?
Modems are probably one of the simplest forms of a communications device and typically will use traditional analog telephone lines to send and receive information. Today, modems are the most commonly used devices to connect computers in remote locations and transfer data between the two. A couple of good links Ask Mr. Modem 56k.com (modem central) Modems.com (by Zoom) How does a modem connection work? A modem’s way of functioning is relatively simple. It dials up, the other modem answers, the two “handshake” (this is where they test each other to see how fast they can send and receive data, which is dependent on the max speed of the modems and the quality of the telephone lines between them), and a connection is established. The word “modem” is actually short of “modulator demodulator”. A modem takes digital data and modulates it into audible tones when transmitting. This process is known as “modulation”. Demodulation is when the modem is taking audible data in, and turning it into dig
