INTERNET FROM A BEGINNERS PERSPECTIVE
By: Clark E
Tags: Internet, Computers, Networking, Web Development

What exactly is a Network

Before we talk about the internet, let understand what a computer network is. A Computer network is basically the connection of two or more computers with the purpose of sharing information and resources. Just as a road network connect roads together, the computer network connects computers together. The type of the computer network is defined by the number of devices connected, how they are connected and the type of devices within the network. The two main types of computer networks are the LAN and WAN.

LAN (Local Area Network): A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short distance. A networked office building, school, or home usually contains a single LAN, though sometimes one building contains a few small LANs (perhaps one per room), and occasionally a LAN spans a group of nearby buildings.

WAN (Wide Area Network): A WAN spans a large physical distance. The internet is the largest WAN, spanning the Earth. A WAN is a basically a collection of LANs together across different states, countries, or continents.

The Internet

The internet is known as the largest network on earth. This simply means that, the internet is a way of connecting all the computers on earth together. The internet is mostly defined as the global connection of computer networks. On its most basic level, the internet is the network of other computer networks.

Basic Internet Concepts:

Protocols: A network protocol are basically rules and conventions that must be observed by all devices within the network. They are like policies that governs the behavior of all devices.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): An IP address is a unique number assigned to every device connected to the network. They are like usernames on twitter that allows people to mention and follow one another. Computers on the internet use IP addresses to find and communicate with one another.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): The TCP controls how information flows between different devices in a computer network. The IP address finds the computer, whilst the TCP controls how the information is to be transmitted. The TCP determines which information to send, which one has been received, which one is to be resent etc.

Router: A router is a network device that routes information from one network to another. It is usually connected to two or more different networks. When the router receives an information from an external network, the router reads the address data to determine which computer the information will be sent to. A router connect different network together thus making it possible for the internet to exist.

ISP (Internet Service Provider): ISP are usually large companies or organizations that provides internet service to its customers. If we can recall that the internet is just a network of networks. These ISPs owns the networks that are connected to other ISP’s networks thus creating the network of networks that make up the internet. In other to connect to the internet, you must first connect to the ISP’s network which then allows you to connect to other networks and thus giving you the internet connection (network of network)

Conclusion

The internet is just a network of other networks. To connect to the internet, one need to connect to a network that is connected to other networks. The job of the Internet Service Provides(ISPs), is to create smaller networks for people to access easily. By connecting these smaller networks to other smaller networks, everyone can connect to anyone.