Chapter 8: The Internet

For 30 years, internet has evolved onto a very huge information resource and very powerful communication tool. The internet is a vast connection of hundreds of millions of computers working together to share information. Main lines that carry the bulk of the traffic are collectively known as Internet backbone or network access point owned by different companies such as WorldCom, Sprint and MCI. They sell internet access to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), organizations and large businesses.

Every computer connected to the internet must use and understand this protocol for sending and receiving data. The protocol known as TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) makes use of packet switching to minimize the chance of losing data sent over the transmission medium. The TCP part of the protocol chops every piece of data into smaller fragments called packets. Each packet is provided with a heading containing addresses for both the sender and the recipient computers. Once the packets are created, the router determines the best route for getting the packet from one point to another point until it reaches the destination. The packets upon reaching the destination are collected by the destination computer browser program.

Address Systems in Internet

When connecting to the internet, a computer is defined by a unique address known as IP address. This address allows a computer to transmit information to other computers without getting lost. The computer may be assigned affixed or static address or dynamic address that changes each time the user accesses the internet.
The IP address uses a number from 0 - 255 for each part of its four-part number: n.n.n.n where n = 0 to 255. An IP address represents a computer or website but users prefer to use names so a special Domain Naming System (DNS) was created to replace the numbers.

It is better to have or follow the DNS so users won't have any difficulties in searching or browsing what they want to browse on the internet. But still, if names are still to be used, there will only be a limited sites that can be made for future uses.

Web Page and Browsers

A webpage is a document or information resource that is suitable for the World Wide Web. This information is HTML or XHTML.