The internet… A vast network of endless information, gifs, funny cat videos, and so much more. In the era of remote working and zoom quizzes, the internet has become a priority for us all. When else have we been able to watch a video of a dancing goat whilst shopping for Christmas presents for the family; all while waiting for the kettle to boil.
Since it’s International Internet Day – here at OverclockersUK, we can’t think of a better time to celebrate everything that makes the internet. From its humble beginnings to the different types of wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections, modems and routers, and online gaming.
Everything you might ever need to know about the internet – is right here!
The Beginning
The internet is all about instant access to information. Be it for entertainment, work, social media, and anything else you desire. It is all about finding and sharing content with others.
At its birth, the internet was a military tool used in the 1950s and 60s. ARPANET became one of the first general-purpose computer networks. ARPANET grew and evolved through the 1970s and 80s, until finally in 1991 the World Wide Web became available to the public.
After this, the popularity of the internet boomed! This resulted in the launch of search engines, such as Google in 1998, which revolutionised the way people searched for information. The wonderful web kept on growing into what become known as, Web 2.0. The focus turned towards creating an internet network that was more focused on social networking. As a result, the earliest social media platforms were created, including Digg and Facebook.
And the rest is history…
The internet has continued to evolve into what we love and use daily in 2021. Now, there is a growing plethora of social media, entertainment, and so much more for you to explore.
Wi-Fi Explained
With the internet at the centre of everything that we do, it’s never been so important to stay connected. However, understanding how to establish a stable Wi-Fi connection is both a complicated and tedious task.
We’ve done our best to help you and simplify Wi-Fi along with what it takes to create a connection in your home or office.
The most important things that you need are a modem and a router. The modem is the handy tool that connects your home network to the wider internet. Whilst a router, allows all your wired and wireless devices to access the internet all at once. Both are equally important, as, without one, you won’t be able to surf the web across all your devices. In 2021, both are often integrated into one box that serves as a modem and a router. This is the box that your internet provider hands to you. However, this isn’t always the case. In some cases, you will have a separate modem and router.
ASUS ROG Rapture WI-FI 6 RGB Gaming Router
- WiFi 6 standard
- Built-in Quad-core processor
- AI network protection security
Expand Your Network
Expand your home or office network further with an access point or mesh Wi-Fi system.
Ideal for an office space, an access point creates an individual wireless local area network (WLAN). By transmitting a Wi-Fi signal in a specific area, an access point connects to a wired router or hub. A mesh Wi-Fi system, on the other hand, utilises a primary router along with a series of satellite modules placed strategically around your home. These modules are all part of a single wireless network and deliver you full Wi-Fi coverage. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi routers, they all share the same SSID and password.
If you are interested in creating a whole-home mesh network, take a look at the TP Link X60 or one of the many other devices we have available.
TP Link X60 WI-FI 6 Mesh System (3-Pack)
- Wi-Fi 6 standard
- Whole home coverage – up to 650m
- WAP3 security
Wired vs Wireless
You may be struggling to choose between a wired or wireless connection when setting up your network. Both methods have their own benefits.
A wireless network is perfect for those looking for a cable-free set-up, that is easy to install. Forget being tied to your desk, your devices will stay connected to the internet wherever you roam. On the other hand, a wired network utilises cables to connect your device to the internet. Whilst you are tethered to a router, you will still share your bandwidth with others, but there are fewer traffic interruptions. All you need is a spare Ethernet port and cable.
When selecting an Ethernet cable, the way to decide which type is perfect for you is to start with the speed of your internet connection. The rule of thumb is, the higher the numbers, the faster the frequency. This will result in improved download speeds and connections.
- Cat 3 – 10Mbps / 16MHz
- Cat 5 – 10-100Mbps / 100MHz
- Cat 5e – 1,000Mbps/1Gbps / 100MHz
- Cat 6 – 10Gbps up to 55m / 250MHz
- Cat 6a – 10Gbps up to 55m / 500MHz
- Cat 7 – 100Gbps up to 15m / 600MHz
- Cat 7a – 100Gbps up to 15m / 1,000MHz
- Cat 8 – 40Gbps up to 30m / 2,000MHz
If you’re struggling to find out which ethernet cable is right for your set-up, check out our dedicated blog guide.
Different Wi-Fi Types
Now, I’ll make this as simple as possible – different Wi-Fi types exist. Each with its own function.
The most common connection is a wireless LAN (WLAN). Commonly known as ‘home networks’, these create access within a building or a limited outdoor area.
The other variants are:
- Wireless MAN: Wireless Metropolitan Area. Installed in cities for people to access Wi-Fi outside an office or home network.
- Wireless PAN: Wireless Personal Network. Cover a limited area – the most common example is Bluetooth.
- Wireless WAN: Cellular technology is used to access outside the range of a wireless LAN or MAN network.
As the different types of Wi-Fi have developed over the years, so have the standards of Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi Standards
Wi-Fi standards, detail how accurate the signal is. Measuring how far the signal can reach and how much data it can send. As technology and our understanding of Wi-Fi evolves, so has the standard. From 802.11b to Wi-Fi 6.
1999
- 802.11b – 2.4 GHz to deliver 11Mbps up to 150 feet.
- 802.11a – 5GHz to deliver 54Mbps. Mainly used in business.
- 802.11g – 2.4GHz to deliver 54Mbps. Advancement in Wi-Fi speeds and coverage.
2009
- 802.11n – Operates at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz to deliver 300Mpbs. Utilised MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output). Multiple receivers could operate simultaneously to produce an increase in data.
2014
- 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) -Operates exclusively at 5GHz to deliver 433Mpbs. Wi-Fi 5 utilise multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) to deliver streams to multiple devices all at once. In addition, beamforming, transmitted radio signals directly to the specific device.
- 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) – The latest standard of Wi-Fi used today. Operates in 2.4 and 5GHz to deliver 9.2 Gbps. Improved MU-MIMO to deliver faster performance and to connect more devices in your home.
Wi-Fi 6 is not the final standard.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is set to be released in 2024 and promises to bring huge advancements to bandwidth, frequencies, and speeds, capable of delivering up to 320MHz! This is 4.8x faster than WiFi 6.
If you want to learn more about WiFi 7 and how it differs to previous generations, be sure to take a look at our blog guide.
*Wipes brow* *deep breath*.
The complicated part is over. Let’s move on to the fun stuff!
Gaming and the Internet
With the birth of the internet, came online gaming. Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) and MMO Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) are an ever-growing genre of gaming that takes place on the internet. The most popular MMOs involve role-playing and interaction with other players online.
Whilst the popularity of online gaming boomed in the 1990s, believe it or not, the first MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) was developed in 1979! MUD (MultiUser Dungeon) was a text-based role-playing virtual world where players battled fictional monsters. It even featured a chat room – think of a 1970s version of World of Warcraft.
Hop into a DeLorean and fast forward to 2021 … and online gaming has evolved into a global platform of millions of players. You can fight, hunt, craft, buy, and sell together in your favourite fantasy worlds. From World of Warcraft to Second Life or Destiny 2, there is an MMO for everyone.
One of the most popular to date (and my personal favourite), is Elder Scrolls Online.
Elder Scrolls Online
With 18 million players online, Elder Scrolls Online is an active-adventure RPG, set in the fictional world of Tamriel. An ever-expanding story, with DLC still being actively released, Elder Scrolls Online, has so much for you to explore. And you control it all!
Customise your character and your class to create a game that is unique to you and your game style. Choose how you want to experience the world of Tamriel. You can undertake any mission, in any part of Tamriel – however, you like. You can decide to embark on a solo expedition to the end of the world or an adventure with your friends. Thanks to the extensive multiplayer mode, you can complete quests and explore monster-ridden dungeons with your squad. You can even engage in PvP battles against millions of other players.
If you are a fan of MMOs or are looking to begin your adventure, we’ve picked out a gaming PC that is perfect for you to play Elder Scrolls Online and many more MMOs.
OcUK Gaming Karambit Configurable PC
- Configurable gaming PC
- Adjustable base hardware specification to suit a range of gaming demands
- Includes an Intel i5 14600KF CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Windows 11 Home included
With so many MMORPGs on offer, you might be thinking about upgrading your set-up so you are combat-ready! Therefore, we’ve selected some of our favourite peripherals and chairs that are sure to take your battle station to the next level!
ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Optical RGB Mouse
- Wireless gaming mouse
- Optical sensor
- Up to 19,000 DPI
- Programmable 12 button design
Streamplify MIC RGB Microphone
- Cardioid microphone
- Two audio output modes
- 48Hz sound quality
- Quick on-the-fly mute
- Integrated RGB lighting
How can we talk about Elder Scrolls Online, without mentioning the incredible noblechairs Hero – ESO edition.
noblechairs: Hero Gaming Chair – The Elder Scrolls Online Edition
- Special edition gaming chair
- Officially licensed design
- Ergonomic design
- Adjustable 4D armrests
- Black and gold embroidery
Learn More About Wi-Fi
Share Your Thoughts With Us!
I hope you enjoyed our deep dive into the wonders of the internet. If you have any thoughts or you want to share your favourite MMO – tell us in the comments below or share over at @OverclockersUK.
And, just remember, if all else fails – have you tried turning it off and on again?
- 11 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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