How the Internet Works

In order to learn more about Internet Protocol and networks for more work this summer, I have been doing some research and learning around how the Internet Works. I came across this amazing video that explains in very clear terms how the internet works and I thought it was really interesting, so I took some notes and decided to share it here:

How the Internet Works

• • internet = wire
    • can be underground or satellite
  • servers are special computers connected directly to internet
    • servers can communicate with other servers connected to internet
    • webpages are files on server’s hard drive wire
  • every server has a unique internet protocol address/IP address
    • help computers find each other 
    • IP addresses given domain names to make it more easy to remember/access
      • 172.217.5.110 -> google.com
  • computer is not a server because it is not connected directly to the internet (called a client)
    • connected indirectly to internet with internet service provider (ISP)

• client connects with ISP with DSL = Digital Subscriber Line
• aol.com is a server and a ISP 
• sending an email to someone using aol.com:
  • from computer client > connect to ISP with DSL > connect to gmail.com > once sent > gmail.com sends it to [email protected] > next day someone can dial into aol.com and view it
• when email/picture/webpage travels through internet, computer breaks down information into packets, and packets are reassembled on the receiving end
• IP address and routers 
  • prevents what happens on your computer to appear on others computers
  • anywhere 2 or more of the internet intersects, a router directs your packets around the internet
  • every time you visit a website, there can be up to 10-15 routers helping you reach it
    • packet you send is like a candy wrapped in different layers
    • 1st layer: your computer’s IP address > your computer sends packet to router which adds its own IP address > each time packet sent to a new router a new layer of IP address is added until it reaches the server
    • when server sends back information, creates packets with identical wrapping > as packets make it back to your computer, each router unwraps a layer so it knows what IP address to send the packet to next to reach the right destination

The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_LPdttKXPc