Internet

Internet is a global system to interconnect computers and other devices around the world. It is a
complex setup of network. Popular Internet applications are E-Mail, World Wide Web (www) and
many more.
Internet Speed Specifications
Download and Upload Speeds
Most of the time, when we are applying for an internet connection or we are checking speed connection
we are just focusing on its download speed e.g. 2Mbps or 1MBps. While the upload speed doesn't catch
our attention at all. In this training we will learn about the importance download and upload speed and
determine if what is the effect of a very low upload speed since almost of us is not familiar with the
upload speed. We must not expect that we can have an stable 2Mbps internet speed if we applied on the
plan that advertises 2Mbps, this only means that the internet plan we avail can have a maximum speed
up just to 2Mbps.
Download Speed
It is the rate measured on how fast we can get an information (e.g. songs and movies) in the internet
down to our computer or to our device. Unit use is either bits per second or bps or bytes per second or
Bps.

Speed

Mb/s

MB/s

KB/s

MP3 Song

Time to
Download

.25

250

3 MB

12 seconds

.5

500

3 MB

6 seconds

.75

750

3 MB

4 seconds

Upload Speed
It is the rate measured on how fast we can give or send an information (e.g. send emails) in the internet
from our computer or device. Upload speed uses the same unit as to download speed. In commercial
Internet Service Provider, its really configured that the upload speed would just be a fraction of the
download speed or in other words the download speed is always greater than the upload speed.
In the church, we must be aware that upload speed must also be considered when conducting an speed
test. When we are working in the church software MLS, remember that we are not just waiting for the
information that we can receive but we are also sending an information to the Church Headquarters
through internet. Some other units encountered slow send/receive process and they end up in
concluding that the internet connection is slow, but the real thing is they just have an slow upload speed
that's why sending information to the church headquarters really taking time.

Speed

Mb/s

MB/s

KB/s

Document Size

Time to
Upload

0.96

.12

120

256 KB

2.13 seconds

4.32

.54

540

256 KB

.474 second

6.24

.78

780

256 KB

.328 second

Other Important Internet Specifications

Wired Internet Connection
This type internet connection can be simply understand from its type name alone, means connecting
through a wire. When it comes to internet access wired internet access configuration is more reliable
than the wireless one.

Attenuation, Signal to Noise Ratio, Signal-to-Noise Margin

Line Attenuation
This is one characteristics to be examined when connecting an internet access using utp cable or wire.
This value tells us how much speed do we lost in every meters of wire. So in this characteristics it is
ideal to have a 20 db below to have an ideal speed to our internet connection.
Line Attenuation Description Value
20dB and below is outstanding
20dB-30dB is excellent
30dB-40dB is very good
40dB-50dB is good
50dB-60dB is poor and may experience connectivity issues
60dB or above is bad and will experience connectivity issues

Signal to Noise and Signal to Noise Margin

This characteristic must be observe to the routers/switches/access points that we are using. The higher
the value the better the performance is. Since noise or let's say obstruction is normal to any place so we
wanted a more powerful signal to compensate the noise on its background. Its like we need to talk
louder if we have a noisy environment to hear each other and not be overpowered by the noise around
as. 29 db above is ideal on this characteristic.
Internet cables must be ideally away from the AC power line to avoid low signal to noise ratio value.

SNR= signal / noise

6dB or below SNR is bad network connection
7dB-10dB is fair but does not leave much room for variation in conditions
11dB-20dB is good with little or no sync problems
20dB-28dB is excellent network connection
29dB or above is outstanding network connection

Signal to Noise Margin gives you the more accurate value because it is the difference of the actual
signal to noise ratio to the minimum signal to noise ratio. The higher the value the better the
performance.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet
http://www.speedguide.net/faq/what-is-considered-good-dsl-noise-margin-snr-355
http://www.speedguide.net/faq/what-is-considered-good-dsl-line-attenuation-371
Electronic Communication Systems by Blake