Modem

The modem connects your computer to the outside world. The word modem is derived from the words MOdulator-DEModulator and it describes the way in which the modem works. Since modems use the phone line to transmit and receive information, it has to convert digital signals from your computer to analog tones that can be transmitted by the telephone line and vice versa. Modem speeds range from 9.6 kBits/s, which are the slowest, to 56 kBits/s, the faster ones. The fastest are Cable modems which blaze at anything between 3 - 50 Mbits/s, depending upon the cable distance. Modems connect to your computer via the serial port or USB port and also incorporate additional capabilities like fax and answering machine features depending upon the software bundled with it.