History of the Internet: A technical exploration
Tags: webdev, beginners, programming, productivity
Published: 2024-04-04 22:27:28

The inception of the Internet traces back to the 1960s when it served as a conduit for government researchers to exchange information. During this era, computers were bulky and stationary, requiring individuals to physically access the computer. Furthermore, the escalating tensions of the Cold War played a pivotal role in shaping the Internet's genesis. The launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Soviet Union prompted the U.S. Defense Department to explore methods of information dissemination. Consequently, this initiative birthed the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), a forerunner to the Internet as we recognize it today.

During this era computer networks lacked a standardized communication protocol. The implementation of Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP) revolutionized connectivity by enabling diverse computers across various networks to establish communication channels. Consequently, ARPANET and the Defense Data Network transitioned to the TCP/IP standard on January 1, 1983, marking the official birth of the Internet as we know it today.


![Image of the earth's network](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/n1x4sqjumuv5l03uo6et.jpg)





The story of the internet isn't just about connecting; it's about how technology has changed the digital world. Important things like network protocols have played a big part in this. Let's look at what these are and why they matter for the internet we use today.





## **Network Protocols** - Critical Protocols Ensuring Seamless Web Interaction


Network protocols enable the exchange of information across the internet, Without network protocols, the modern internet would cease to exist.

 There are many different protocols used in internet communication, Common protocols used are;

•	Domain Name System(DNS)
•	File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
•	Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)


**Domain Name System(DNS)**

DNS functions as a sort of directory for the internet. It holds a list of website names, known as domain names, and their corresponding numeric addresses called IP addresses. When you type in a website name, like "www.example.com,"  DNS translates it into the correct IP address ,a string of numbers like "192.0.2.1." so that your device can find the website on the internet.


**File Transfer Protocol (FTP)**

FTP operates as a client-server protocol, where a client asks for a file and the server provides it. It functions over TCP/IP, a collection of communication protocols, and necessitates both a command channel and a data channel for transmitting files and commands, respectively. Clients use the command channel to request files and gain access to actions like downloading, editing, and copying files through the data channel.
While FTP usage has declined with the widespread adoption of HTTP for file sharing, it remains a prevalent network protocol for secure file sharing, particularly in sectors like banking


**Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)**

HTTP operates as a protocol for sharing files over TCP/IP, it primarily functions within web browsers and is widely familiar to most users. When someone enters a website's domain to visit it, HTTP facilitates this access. It connects to the server hosting the domain and requests the website's HTML, the code that defines and presents the page's layout. However, HTTP cannot provide security because data is transmitted in clear text.

**HTTPS** is a more secure version of HTTP, which encrypts the data being transmitted between the client and server using SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption. This ensures that important personal information such as site login information, payment information is encrypted and protected.


**HTTP Request**


An HTTP request is how web browsers request the data they need to show a website. When you make an HTTP request, it includes several pieces of information:

1.	HTTP version: This tells the server what version of the HTTP protocol you're using.

2.	URL: This is the web address you're trying to access.

3.	HTTP method: This tells the server what action you want to perform, like GET to retrieve data or POST to send data to the server.

4.	HTTP request headers: These are additional details sent with the request, like information about the browser you're using or cookies for authentication.

5.	Optional HTTP body: Sometimes, you might send additional data with the request, like form data or file uploads. If you do, it goes in the body of the request.

All this information together helps the server understand what you're asking for and how to respond.


Does this then apply to **HTTPS Request** ?

An HTTPS request is similar to an HTTP request but with an added layer of security. The main difference between an HTTP and HTTPS request is the use of encryption in HTTPS to secure the data transmission. This encryption is achieved using SSL/TLS protocols, which establish a secure connection between the client and server before any data is exchanged.




**Conclusion**

The internet has evolved thanks to human creativity and technology.  Foundational elements such as DNS, FTP, and HTTP/HTTPS protocols have played pivotal roles in shaping its growth and development. But here's the exciting part: What amazing things will come next? As we keep improving the internet, these technologies will continue to serve as cornerstones in the modern internet landscape, leaving us to ponder about the cool stuff yet to come.