It's hard to imagine a world without the internet, it has truly become an integral part of our daily lives. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, access information, and do business. However, for some, the internet can be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to it. In this article, we'll cover some of the basics of the internet to help you better understand what it is and how it works.
The internet is a global network of interconnected computers that communicate with each other using standardized communication protocols. It's a vast collection of networks that connect computers and other devices from all over the world. The internet allows us to access and share information, communicate with others, and conduct business.
The internet works using a client-server model. When you type a website's address into the search bar, that link is called a Uniform Resource Locator(URL). When you hit the search button, your computer sends a request to a server, which then sends back the requested information.
When sending, the information is broken down into small packets and sent through the network of interconnected computers until it reaches its destination. Now we can see where the term “information highway” comes from.
The internet is made up of seven different layers, each with its own protocols and technologies. These layers work together to provide a seamless experience for users, and are often referred to as Operations Systems Interconnection or an OSI model The layers include:
This is the layer that deals with the physical components of the network, such as cables, routers, and switches.
This layer is responsible for transmitting data between devices on the same network.
This layer deals with routing and forwarding data between different networks.
This layer is responsible for ensuring that data is transmitted reliably and efficiently.
This layer ensures a safe, secure and authentic internet expereience for users. It is necessary for the establishment of connection.
This layer is also known as the translation layer. This layer helps translate code, decrypt data and ensure the final layer, the application layer, can easily extract data from it.
This layer provides services to users, such as web browsing, email, and file sharing by extracting .
A web browser is a software application used to access and view websites on the internet. Some popular web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. Web browsers use the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) protocols to request and receive web pages from web servers.
A website is a collection of web pages that are stored on a web server and can be accessed through the internet. Websites can be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing information, selling products, or sharing content.
A search engine is a software program that searches the internet for information based on keywords or phrases entered by the user. The search engine returns a list of relevant websites and web pages that match the user's search query. Some popular search engines include Google, Bing, and Yahoo. If you’re not sure, learn more about what browser is right for you.
The internet has revolutionized the way we live and work, and it's essential to understand the basics of how it works. In this blog, we covered some of the fundamental concepts of the internet, such as the client-server model, web browsers, websites, and search engines. Understanding these concepts will help you navigate the internet with more ease and confidence, and might even help you explore the digital architecture our world is being built on.
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