Introduction to Internet
Internet is a global information network that connects devices and computer systems to each other using standardized protocols. These protocols are designed to ensure reliable information exchange between devices. The internet is a way to connect computers and find a means to stay connected regardless of the circumstances.
At its core, the internet consists of a series of interconnected routers that form a global network and direct traffic between different devices. When data is sent, it is divided into small packets and sent from the device to the router. The router examines the packet and directs it to the next router on the path to its destination. This process continues until the packet reaches its final destination.
Before we get into the internet, let’s talk about the history of the internet.
The Evolution of the Internet
The history of the internet emerged as a product of the Cold War era, aiming to facilitate communication between computers. In the early 1960s, the ARPANET project, financed by the United States Department of Defense, took the initial steps to enable information sharing between different computers. ARPANET established the foundation of the internet by establishing its first connection between four universities in 1969.
In the 1970s, alongside ARPANET, other networks began to emerge, and standards were developed to facilitate communication between these networks. In the 1980s, the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) was designated as the primary communication protocol, which still forms the basis of the internet today. By the 1990s, the rapid increase in internet usage occurred with the advent of web browsers and the World Wide Web(www), turning the internet into a global phenomenon.
The developments during these periods laid the foundation for the present-day internet, which continues to grow and evolve as a constantly expanding network.
So while internet is indispensable of our life what do you know of working internet? Let’s talk about of working internet.
Working of Internet
Although the operation of the internet seems very complicated, it is actually simple. We need to some terms to understand working of internet. These terms are listed below:
- IP Address (Internet Protocol Address):
It is a unique identifier of each device on the internet. Computers, servers and other devices use IP addresses to transmit and receive data packets. - Protocol:
They are certain rules and standards that enable devices on the Internet to communicate. - TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol):
It is one of the basic protocols for data transmission on the Internet. It ensures the safe and orderly transmission of data packets. - HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure):
They are protocols that enable communication between web browsers and web servers. HTTPS communicates over a secure connection. - Router:
Routers are devices that direct internet traffic. They direct the data packet coming from your computer towards its destination and provide connections between different networks. - DNS (Domain Name System):
It is a system that translates IP addresses into meaningful domain names. For example, it converts a domain name such as www.example.com into an IP address.
We can dive deeper into the working of internet by examining backstage of requests now. Let’s say you want to visit a website such as ufuktas.me . After you typed the domain name that you want to visit and pressed the Enter key, the steps that listed below will be taken place.
- The DNS (Domain Name System) protocol starts working. This protocol identifies the IP Address of the website you are sending the request to.
- The server of the IP Address to which the request will be sent reaches the server where it is hosted via routers. Here, the Internet Protocol (IP) is responsible for directing requests and responses to the correct address.
- The response created in response to the request reaching here, which is the page itself, will be interpreted and the files of the page to be displayed by the browser. are delivered through the HTTP/ HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol / Secure) to the router that sent the request, and then to the computer that made the request.
In general terms, this method works when you are searching for something on the Internet, surfing, messaging, or watching videos. (Different protocols may be used when watching videos and messaging — like RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) — RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol))
There are many protocols for using the internet. These protocols constitute the working principle of the internet. The protocols we mentioned here were just a few. If you want to learn more about these protocols, you can visit this site.
You can also watch an animation explaining the functioning of the internet here.
Exploring Tomorrow’s Digital Horizons
What lies ahead for the Internet’s tomorrow? Making predictions about future Internet processes is complex, but it is possible to consider some possible developments:
- 5G and High Speed Connections:
The proliferation of 5G technology can significantly improve the mobile and fixed internet experience by providing faster and more reliable connections. - Internet of Things (IoT) Expansion:
With the increasing number of IoT devices, there will be greater connectivity and automation between homes, cities and industries. Smart homes, smart cities and industrial IoT applications will become more common. - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:
Artificial intelligence and machine learning will deliver more sophisticated and personalized experiences on the internet. There may be developments in areas such as search engines, recommendation systems and speech recognition. - Virtual and Augmented Reality:
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can be used in ways that make the internet experience more immersive. They can be further adopted in entertainment, education and business applications. - Blockchain Technology Applications:
Blockchain can provide reliable and transparent data storage and transmission. This technology may have applications, particularly in finance, health, and security.
I wanted to mention things about of internet in this blog. If you interested in this subject you can visit these links.
1- How does the internet work?
2- How does the internet work?
Thanks for reading. :)
