How Does the Internet Work and What Happens When You Surf the Internet?

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The internet has advanced tremendously in the last three decades and is poised to keep evolving faster. Some people connect through internet providers, while others use local area networks. Modern users also connect to the internet using computers, smartphones, tablets, iPads, and other devices. Here’s an overview of how the internet works, including what happens when one connects and surfs the web.

What’s the Internet and How Does it Work?

The internet is a global computer network that accommodates transmitting various data and media across interconnected devices with internet capabilities. The device can be a server, phone, laptop/desktop, tablet, smart TV, gaming console, or other gadgets. To transmit data, the internet follows two primary protocols: Internet Protocol (IP) and Transport Control Protocol (TCP), collectively TCP/IP. These protocols sideline all internet connections.

Internet protocol (IP) refers to rules governing how devices send data/information over an internet connection from one computer to another. Each computer is assigned a unique numerical address (IP address). The IP address can be public (accessible on the internet) or private (assigned to a device in a closed network like a home or business network). Private IP addresses aren’t accessible over the internet.

An IP address is a numerical address in the format (nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn), where (nnn) is a numeric value of 0-255. Each device connecting to the internet must have an assigned IP at a specific connection time. The transport control protocol (TCP) ensures the data transferred over the internet protocol is dependable and reliable. Its rules prevent packet loss, delays, and quality issues and keep packets organized in proper sequence.

What Happens When You Connect/Surf the Internet?

The internet is a technical infrastructure that allows billions of computers and devices to interconnect. The connection is achievable by sending data over specific protocols. Data transmitted over the internet is known as a message, and each message contains smaller pieces. One connects to the web using a modem or router, which allows the device to connect with other global networks. Routers can allow multiple computers to join the same network.

On the other hand, modems connect the user to an internet service provider (ISP) through DSL, cable, or fiber-optic Internet. The device is known as a client, and it connects to a mobile network or Wi-Fi. Client devices can also access servers–computers directly connected to the internet, such as those storing web pages and applications. To initiate an internet connection, the user types a query on a browser, which pushes the question to the internet provider.

Internet service providers have multiple servers that store and send data. All web pages and websites have a URL (uniform resource locator) featuring a domain name. The browser will search for the IP address for the typed domain name through a DNS (domain name server). For instance, the Google search engine has a domain name, Google.com, with a unique IP address stored in the DNS.

The browser will send a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request to the target server, requesting the server to send a copy of the requested web page. If the server approves the request, it sends a “200 OK” message to the client computer and sends the requested web page in packets using TCP/IP. The browser then reassembles the packets and loads the website.

The Internet Infrastructure

Network service providers like UUNet, PSINet, IBM, CerfNet, SprintNet, and BBN Planet are the backbone of the internet. The NSPs are large networks that interconnect and exchange packet traffic. Every NSP connects to three network access points (NAPs) at which data packets can jump from one NSP infrastructure to another. NSPs also connect to metropolitan area exchanges (MAEs), similar to NAPs but privately owned.

NAPs and MAEs are exchange points (IXs) and sell bandwidth to smaller networks and internet providers. When a user sends data packets, the router checks the IP address layer to determine the appropriate channels to route the data. If it finds none, the package is sent up the ladder to higher routers. The rerouting can continue until the data reaches the NSP, at which it can jump to another NSP backbone.

Each router contains sub-networks and IP addresses and serves as a packet switch that moves data packets through the proper channels. Data is sent up the hierarchy and shifted to other NPS backbones until the router finds the right path. Once it establishes the correct channel, the packets begin a downward journey to the destination network and IP addresses. The inquiry leverages the DNS route if the user knows the destination IP address, such as Google.com.

Trustworthy Internet Providers

The internet is a robust infrastructure with network service providers, network access points, routers, servers, and clients. However, everything revolves around sending data over specific internet protocols. For most internet users, speed and reliable connections are the key priorities. Besides guaranteeing reliable connections, working with reputable internet providers can help users understand how their networks work.

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