Explanation of the Internet

This resource is designed specifically for Unit 6 of the Edexcel BTEC qualification, 'Business Online'.

Aim

The aim of this section is to generate an understanding of how the Internet works and the difference between the Internet and the Web.

What is the Internet?

Very simply, the Internet is worldwide collection of computers all connected together to form a huge network. These computers communicate with each other through a set of common software standards known as protocols. These protocols allow the sending and receiving of emails; viewing of Web pages; the transfer of files between one computer and another; instant messaging with other users, etc.

In order for these protocols to work there must be a way of identifying each machine connected to the Internet. Each machine connected to the Internet has an address known as an Internet

In order for these protocols to work there must be a way of identifying each machine connected to the Internet. Each machine connected to the Internet has an address known as an Internet Protocol address (IP address). The IP address takes the form of a series of four numbers separated by dots, for example: 123.45.67.890

With this in mind, what happens when you type a Web page address into your Web browser?

1. A user types in the address http://www.bized.co.uk into a Web browser (for example: Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla).
2. The Web browser sends this information to a program called a name server. Usually this program is running on a computer operated by the people who provide you with an Internet connection (your Internet Service Provider or ISP). Part of the sign up process with an ISP involves 'telling' your computer the location of the name server - usually the setup software from the ISP does this for you so you are rarely involved with the setup.
3. On receiving the Web address the name server may communicate with other name servers running on computers all over the world. The name servers associate the Web address with an IP address.
4. This IP address is then returned to the Web browser.
5. On receiving the IP address the Web browser now knows the precise address of the computer it needs to connect to in order to receive the appropriate Web page.

In the above description the Web address is an example of a hostname. Name servers turn/resolve these hostnames into IP addresses refering to computers on the Internet. The network of programs and information sources that allow the resolution of hostnames is known as the Domain Name System (DNS). Although the example referred to a Web address the process is the same for establishing where to deliver email or setting up file transfers between different computers.