A General Seminar on

INTERNET ACCESS VIA CABLE TV NETWORK

A report Submitted in partial fulfillment of the academic
Requirement for the award of degree of

MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATION

Submitted
By
Name: M.MURALI KRISHNA
H.T.No: 09R01F0022

CMR
INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY
(Approved
by AICTE, Affiliated to JNTU, Hyderabad)
Kandlakoya, Medchal Road, R.R. Dist.
Hyderabad.
2011-2012

CMR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(Approved by AICTE, Affiliated to JNTU, Kukatpally)
Kandlakoya, Medchal Road, Hyderabad

Department of Master of Computer Application

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Mr. /Ms. M.MURALI KRISHNA bearing the Hall Ticket
No: 09R01F0022 has successfully completed his/her General Seminar on
INTERNET ACCESS VIA CABLE TV NETWORK
For partial fulfillment of MCA VI Semester of JNTU Hyderabad for the academic year
2011-2012.

Internal Guide,

Mr. T. A. JOSEPH JUDSON

Head of Department,

INTERNET ACCESS VIA CABLE TV NETWORK

Presented by
M.MURALI KRISHNA,
Roll No: 09R01F0022,
MCA 3rd Year,
CMRIT.

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. HOW TO ACCESS INTERNET VIA CABLE TV NETWORK

2.1 DIFFERENT WAYS OF INTERNET ACCESS

3. CABLE MODEM

4. WORK OF CABLE MODEM

5. SERVICES

6. SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE PCS

7. HOW FAST IS CABLE MODEM

8. REAL WORLD PERFORMANCE

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9. ETHERNET OVER COAX ADAPTER

10

10. ADVANTAGES &DISADVANTAGES

11

11. LIMITATIONS

11

12. APPLICATIONS

12

13. CONCLUSION

12

14. REFERENCES

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1. INTRODUCTION
Internet is a network of networks in which various computers connect each other throughout
the world. The connection to other computers is possible with the help of ISP (Internet Service
Provider). Each Internet users depend dialup connections to connect to Internet. This has many
disadvantages like very poor speed, may time cut downs etc. Miraculous developments in
telecommunication systems and information technology have created marvels for the new
generation i.e. Internet using a phone line. Internets via phone connections are painfully slow,
especially when downloading photographs, graphics, or video images and large files. To solve
the problem, Internet data can be transferred through Cable networks wired to the user
computer.
The cable modem technology for the Internet provides an 'always on' feature for
individuals to access the Internet rapidly, while its digital broadband network technology
allows user to move around quickly.
Various advantages are High availability, High bandwidth to low cost, high speed data access,
always on connectivity etc.The huge growth in the number of Internet users every year has
resulted in the traffic congestion on the net, resulting in slower and expensive internet access.
As cable TV has a strong reach to homes, it is the best medium for providing the internet to
House-holds with faster access at feasible rates.
A cable modem connects to a PC using the same coaxial cable that brings all channels to your
television.
India has a cable penetration of 80 million homes, offering a vast network for control the internet
access.
Broadband cable Internet access requires a cable modem at the customer's premises and a
cable modem termination system at a cable operator facility, typically a cable television head
end. The two are connected via coaxial cable or a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) plant. While
access networks are sometimes referred to as last-mile technologies, cable Internet systems
can typically operate where the distance between the modem and the termination system is up
to 100 miles (160 km). If the HFC network is large, the cable modem termination system can
be grouped into hubs for efficient management.
The cable TV signals are often removed by filtering at the line tap outside the customer's
premises. Cable TV networks and telecommunications networks are the two predominant
forms of residential Internet access.
Recently, both have seen increased competition from fiber deployments, wireless, and
Mobile networks. Cable Internet access is the principal competitor to DSL and is offered.
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2. HOW TO ACCESS INTERNET VIA CABLE TV NETWORK

We are all quite familiar with the Internet browsing via fax modem through dial-up. The
Internet is accessed using a telephone line as the transmission media. The analogue telephone
lines originally meant for voice transmission now carries data but at very low speeds. The basic
disadvantages of this method are the occupation of the telephone line while the Internet is being
accessed, and the telephone bill, in addition to the fees for Internet account, which can touch
the roof! The disconnections and redialing required quite often during the browsing, is
distressing more so when the connection gets cut while you are downloading important
information or large files. Whereas broadband access technologies enable data transfer at high
speeds. Therefore, any medium or technology that allows data transfer speeds of more than
64kbps can be called as broadband technology. The medium can carry numerous voice, video
and data channels simultaneously since each channel takes up a different frequency and there is
no interference with one another.
A co-axial cable TV is a classic example of broadband technology as it can broadcast several
channels simultaneously, but only in one direction.
The same technology principles are now applied for delivering rich multimedia content in
two-way direction.
Different ways of Internet Access:

Dial-up connection: Dial-up Internet access is a form of Internet access that uses the
Facilities of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to establish a dialed connection to
An Internet service provider (ISP) via telephone lines. The user's computer or router uses an
Attached modem to encode and decode Internet Protocol packets and control information into
And from analogue audio frequency signals, respectively.
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ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a set of communications standards for
Simultaneous digital transmission of voice, video, data, and other network services over the
Traditional circuits of the public switched telephone network. The key feature of ISDN is that
it integrates speech and data on the same lines, adding features that were not available in the
Classic telephone system.
DSL: Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a family of technologies that provides digital data
transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital
subscriber loop. In telecommunications marketing, the term Digital Subscriber Line is widely
understood to mean Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), the most commonly
installed technical variety of DSL. DSL service is delivered simultaneously with regular
telephone on the same telephone line. This is possible because DSL uses a higher frequency.
These frequency bands are subsequently separated by filtering. The data throughput of
consumer DSL services typically ranges from 256 Kb/s to 20 Mbit/s in the direction to the
customer (downstream), depending on DSL technology, line conditions, and service-level
implementation. In ADSL, the data throughput in the upstream direction, (i.e. in the direction
to the service provider) is lower, hence the designation of asymmetric service. In Symmetric
Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) service, the downstream and upstream data rates are equal.
Cable TV Network: Cable Internet access is a form of broadband Internet access that
uses the cable television infrastructure. This seminar report will cover this part in detail.
Wi-Fi: A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a personal computer, video game console,
Smartphone or digital audio player can connect to the Internet when within range of a
wireless network connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more (interconnected)
access points called hotspots can comprise an area as small as a few rooms or as large
as many square miles. Coverage in the larger area may depend on a group of access points
with overlapping coverage. In addition to private use in homes and offices, Wi-Fi can provide
public access at Wi-Fi hotspots provided either free-of-charge or to subscribers to various
commercial services. Organizations and businesses - such as those running airports, hotels
and restaurants - often provide free-use hotspots to attract or assist clients. Enthusiasts or
authorities who wish to provide services or even to promote business in selected areas
sometimes provide free Wi-Fi access. Routers that incorporate a digital subscriber line
modem or a cable modem and a Wi-Fi access point, often set up in homes and other
premises, can provide Internet access and internetworking to all devices connected
(wirelessly or by cable) to them. With the emergence of MiFi and WiBro (a portable Wi-Fi
router) people can easily create their own Wi-Fi hotspots that connect to Internet via cellular
networks. Now many mobile phones can also create wireless connections via tethering on
iPhone, Android, Symbian, and WinMo. One can also connect Wi-Fi devices in ad-hoc mode
for client-to-client connections without a router. Wi-Fi also connects places that would
traditionally not have network access, for example bathrooms, kitchens and garden sheds.
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Wi-Max: WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a

Telecommunications protocol that provides fixed and fully mobile Internet access. WiMAX is
a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as
an alternative to cable and DSL. The current WiMAX revision provides up to 40 Mbit/s with
the IEEE 802.16m update expected to offer up to 1 Gbit/s fixed speeds.
GPRS and EDGE: General packet radio service (GPRS) is a packet oriented mobile data
service on the 2G and 3G cellular communication systems global system for mobile
communications (GSM). GPRS networks evolved to EDGE networks with the introduction
of 8PSK encoding. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Enhanced GPRS
(EGPRS), or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC) is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone
technology that allows improved data transmission rates, as an extension on top of standard
GSM. EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in 2003.
3G: 3G or 3rd Generation is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile
telecommunications services fulfilling specifications by the International Telecommunication
Union. Application services include wide-area wireless voice telephone, mobile Internet
access, video calls and mobile TV, all in a mobile environment. Compared to the older 2G
and 2.5G standards, a 3G system must allow simultaneous use of speech and data services,
and provide peak data rates of at least 200 kbit/s according to the IMT-2000 specification.
Recent 3G releases, often denoted 3.5G and 3.75G, also provide mobile broadband access of
several Mbit/s to laptop computers and smart phones.
3. CABLE MODEM
Cable TV Network is made up of coaxial cable lines that bring television signals to TV. Each
television channel is given a 6-megahertz channel on the cable. Cable TV Networks are high
bandwidth networks i.e. 550 to 750 MHz by their very nature of design. These networks were
traditionally built as one way networks carrying 60-100 Cable TV channels downstream i.e.
from Head end to the Subscriber.

4
For access of Internet through the cable network you need a cable modem instead of a
telephone modem. The cable modem is however, not just a modem, its encryption and security
features are in-built and user can also access television channels simultaneously through the
cable connection, optionally, as shown in figures 1 and 2. A cable modem is a device that
allows high-speed access to the Internet via cable TV network. It typically has two connections,
one to the cable wall outlet and the other to a computer and TV through a splitter. With cable
TV network and Using a phone line, connections are painfully slow, especially when
downloading photographs, graphics, or video images.

The cable modem technology for the Internet provides an always-on feature for individuals to
Access the Internet rapidly, while its broadband network allows user to move around quickly.
One gets unlimited time of surfing at a very high speed. As a result, information providers are
able to offer better-quality content as more consumers gain Higher-speed access to the Internet.
The cable network was designed to deliver TV signals in one direction from the HeadEnd to the subscribers homes.
To provide TV services Cable Operators had to recreate a portion of the over-the-air
radio frequency (RF) spectrum within a sealed coaxial cable line.
Operators had to upgrade the cable network so that signals could flow in both directions
Cable Operators assign a spectrum of signal frequencies to the cable network
One spectrum is used for the signals that move from the Head-End towards the cable
subscriber.
Another spectrum of signal frequencies are used for the signals that move from the
cable subscriber towards the Head-End.
By replacing existing one way amplifiers with two way amplifiers Cable Operators are
able to separate the upstream and downstream signals and amplify each direction
separately in the right frequency range.
(Up to 16 pes with current software configuration)

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Fig. 2:

4. WORK OF CABLE MODEM

Your Cable Company supplies you with a connection to your home which in turn is
Connected to a splitter box.
One spur from the splitter box is connected to your TV through a TV Adapter, the other
being connected to your Cable Modem, which in turn is connected to your computer
Through an Ethernet connection.
Cable modems can be part modem, part tuner, part encryption / decryption device,
part bridge, part router, part NIC card and part Ethernet hub.

The television and the Internet transmission take place simultaneously on the same cable but
at different frequencies. This allows the user to view TV and access Internet at the same
Time.
When a cable company offers Internet access over the cable, Internet information can use the
same cables because the cable modem system puts downstream data (data sent from the
Internet to an individual computer) into a 6-MHz channel. On the cable, the data looks just
like a TV channel. So Internet downstream data takes up the same amount of cable space as
any single channel of programming.
One downstream channel can handle hundreds of cable modems. Upstream data (information
sent from an individual back to the Internet) requires even less of the cable's bandwidth, just
2 MHz, since the assumption is that most people download far more information than they
upload.
Hence setting up of a robust two-way Cable TV network is the first requisite before
deploying Cable Modems on a Cable TV network. This is done by upgrades to the amplifiers
in the cable distribution network etc.
Equipments Required:
Putting both upstream and downstream data on the cable television system requires two types
of equipment:
1. A cable modem at the customer end
2. A cable modem termination system (CMTS) at the cable provider's end
DSL vs. Cable:
Speed (advantage - Cable): Cable boasts faster speed than DSL Internet in theory. However,
cable does not always deliver on the promise in everyday practical use.
Popularity (advantage - Both): In the US, cable Internet enjoys significantly greater
popularity than DSL, although DSL has been closing the gap recently. Outside the US, DSL
continues to hold the edge.
Customer Satisfaction (advantage - DSL): US cable services generally rate lower than
DSL in customer surveys.
Security (advantage - Both): Cable and DSL implement different network security models.
Historically, more concerns have existed with cable security, although cable providers have
definitely taken steps to improve security over the past few years. It's likely both DSL and
cable are "secure enough" for most people's needs.

SOME COMPANY NAMES OF CABLE MODEM

3Com
Cisco Systems
Com21
General Instrument
Motorola

Phasecom
Samsung
Terayon
Toshiba
Nortel Networks

Zenith

5. SERVICES
The emergence of communication technology and information technology lead to electronic
Library with the help of internet, and expert systems development and a widespread use of
Information networks for the dissemination and interactive use of information covering every
facet of human life will become the order of the day. The vision and legacy of Dr. S.R.
Ranganathan will continue to be an inspiration and a guiding star for the emergence of the new
library and information profession.
To keep abreast and to lead the information revolution of the new millennium, the profession
should strive for a dynamic approach in training and development with a new spectrum of
specializations.
These are essential to scenarios in information systems and related technologies; including
development of cable TV network and more techniques to meet the emerging user needs.
In this network the most popular service undoubtedly is the high-speed Internet access this
enables a typical array of Internet services at speeds.
Hundreds of times faster than with a telephone. Other services offered may include access to
streaming audio and video servers, local content (community information and services),
and CD-ROM servers.
New services and ideas are born daily. The Internet on cable will offer high-speed interactive
content to homes and workplaces over coaxial distribution architecture. The network provides
the high speed cable modem; 24-hours a day, unlimited access to the internet; e-mail and chat; a
Netscape navigator browser; and an internet guide featuring local and world-wide content cable
modems enable data connections with much higher speeds than ISDN.
ISDN transmits and receives at speeds of 64 kbps and 128 kbps. Cable modems will be able to
receive data at up to 10Mbps and send it at speeds up to 2 Mbps (in some cases up to 10 Mbps).
Other benefits include local customer care, no need for additional phone line, always-on facility,
and unique local and national content.
The dominant service is high-speed Internet access
This enables the typical array of Internet services to be delivered at speeds far faster
than those offered by dial-up telephone modems
Other services will include
access to streaming audio and video servers, local content (community information and
services)
access to CD-ROM servers
a wide variety of other service offerings. New service ideas are being developed daily.
In North America, cable operators are packaging high-speed data services much like they do

basic cable television service

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6. SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE PCS
A Cable Modem can provide the Internet access to multiple PCs, if they are connected via LAN.
Using Ethernet hub or Router.
A cable modem can provide Internet access to multiple PCs, if they are connected via a
local area network (LAN)
Cable modems typically have an Ethernet output, so they can connect to the LAN with a
standard Ethernet hub or router
Each PC must have an assigned IP address
The cable ISP usually sells at a premium of $5-$10 a month per PC
NAT (Network Address Translation) can allow multiple PCs to "hide" behind a
single IP Address.

7. How fast is Cable Modem?

Cable modem speeds vary widely
Depends on the cable modem system
Cable network architecture
Traffic load.
In the downstream direction (from the network to the computer), network speeds can be
up to 27 Mbps
BUT, this is an aggregate amount of bandwidth that is shared by users.
Few computers will be capable of connecting at such high speeds or have exclusive
access to the network
A more realistic number is 1 to 3 Mbps.
In the upstream direction (from computer to network), speeds can be up to 10 Mbps.
However, most modem producers have selected a more optimum speed between
500 Kbps and 2.5 Mbps
AND, many cable operators limit the upstream bandwidth to 128 or 384kbs
An asymmetric cable modem scheme is most common. The downstream channel has a
much higher bandwidth allocation (faster data rate) than the upstream,
Primarily because Internet applications tend to be asymmetric in nature.
Activities such as World Wide Web (http) navigating and newsgroups reading (nntp) send
much more data down to the computer than to the network.

 Mouse clicks (URL requests) and e-mail messages are not bandwidth intensive in the
upstream direction.
Image files and streaming media (audio and video) are very bandwidth intensive in the
downstream direction.

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8. REAL WORLD PERFORMANCE
The theoretical performance of a Cable Modem is based upon all other devices being able
to work at the same speed and performance as the Cable Modem.
However, in a similar way that the actual usable bandwidth on a 10Mbps Ethernet
connection reduces to a 4Mbps, so too will the performance of a Cable Modem
connection be reduced.
The Cable network itself will suffer the same problems of Internet performance as any
other Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Although performance to services on the cable network itself can be amazingly fast,
access to 'the outside world' will be slowed down by the performance of other
connections on the way.
As usage on your segment grows (as more customers are added) the bandwidth must be
shared by more people.

9. ETHERNET OVER COAX ADAPTER

ETHERNET CO-AXIAL ADAPTER:

 The Ethernet over Coax adapter provides a simple and inexpensive way to create a
reliable home network, without running CAT5 cables through your walls.
It delivers high speed internet, voice and video over coaxial cable.
Ideal for homes, apartment buildings or hotels seeking to add high-speed internet
capabilities over existing coaxial TV cables.

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10. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES:

High Availability
High Bandwidth to Low Coast
High Speed Data Access
Always on Connectivity
No new software is required
No reconstruction of cable system is required.
Use Of free frequency range from 3 to 5 MHz without TV program reorganization.
Components and amplifiers must have only return path ability.
Each PC must have an assigned IP address
The cable ISP usually sells at a premium of $5-$10 a month per PC
NAT (Network Address Translation) can allow multiple PCs to "hide" behind a single
IP Address.

DISADVANTAGES:
Bandwidth is shared over the same cable line. Connection speed is affected by the
number of people using the internet at the same time in your neighborhood.
Higher security risk than dialup (personal firewall is needed).
Not available to all cable TV networks.
Usually tied with cable TV subscription

11. LIMITATIONS

Traffic congestion on the net

Higher security risk than dialup connections
Always on Connectivity
Usually tied with cable TV subscription
Cable connections are not available in every neighborhood, because cable connections
are Always on, one needs a firewall and activation of other security features so as to
protect the computer.

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12. APPLICATIONS
Connect set-top boxes, personal computers, game consoles, broadband modems etc. to
your home network instantly.
Add high-speed internet, digital voice and video access to any room with a coaxial TV
cable.
Ideal for homes, apartment buildings or hotels seeking to add high-speed.

13. CONCLUSIONS
Cable Internet access is the principal competitor to DSL and is offered at a range of
Prices and speeds overlapping that of DSL.
Cable TV has a strong reach to the homes and therefore offering the Internet through
Cable is a scope for furthering the growth of internet usage in the homes.
The cable is an alternative medium for delivering the Internet Services in the US,
There are millions of homes with cable modems, enabling the high-speed internet
Access over cable.
Internet accessing via cable network with help of broadband technology have opened up
a new realm of information access, storage, and delivery of information professionals.
The Internet is accessed mainly using a telephone line as the transmission media.
The basic disadvantages of this method are the occupation of the telephone line while the
Internet is being accessed, and the telephone bill, in addition to the fees for Internet
account, which can be highly expensive.
This technology is feasible if certain basic requirements are met which includes two way
cable network and better quality cables.

14. REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Internet_access
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_modem

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Access
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_modem_termination_system
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cable-modem.htm
http://www.hathway.com/brodband/prod_broadband_faq3.asp

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