The Complete 2023 Web Development Bootcamp | 2- How Does the Internet Actually Work

Summary

In this lesson from the App Brewery, Angela explains how the Internet works in a simple, accessible way. The Internet is essentially a vast network of connected computers, with some serving as clients and others as servers. When you request a website, your request goes through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to a DNS server, which translates the website's domain name into an IP address. This IP address directs your request to the correct server, and the data is transmitted through fiber optic cables, including undersea ones, back to your browser. Angela also previews upcoming lessons on building websites and web apps.

Takeaways

• 💻 The Internet is not a cloud but a system of connected computers using wires to communicate.
• 🌍 Computers connected to the Internet globally can communicate via long wires, like one from London to Seattle.
• 📡 Special computers called servers stay online 24/7 to serve data to users, while users' devices are known as clients.
• 📚 A web server acts like a 24/7 library that provides users with files and data to access websites.
• 🧭 DNS (Domain Name System) servers act like a phonebook, converting website names into IP addresses.
• 📬 Every computer connected to the Internet has a unique IP address, like a postal code, for sending and receiving data.
• 🌐 After finding the IP address, the browser directly requests files from the website's server to load the page.
• 🌊 The continents are connected via massive undersea cables that transmit data through fiber optics using lasers.
• ⚡ Data travels at the speed of light, allowing us to access websites from anywhere in milliseconds.
• 🚀 The Internet relies on a complex network of wires, both above and below ground, to function globally.

Q & A

What is the Internet, according to the script?

The Internet is essentially a long piece of wire that connects different computers to each other across the world. It allows computers to communicate and transfer data.

What are servers and how do they function in the Internet?

Servers are special computers that are always online, ready to serve users with the data and files they request when accessing websites. They store and serve content to other computers (clients).

What is a client in terms of Internet usage?

A client is any computer or device that a user uses to access the Internet. It communicates with servers to request and receive data.

How is the Internet compared to a library in the script?

The Internet is likened to a giant library that is open 24/7. Users can access any data or files (like websites) by making requests to servers, much like checking out books.

What role does the ISP play when you type a website URL like Google.com?

When you type a website URL, your browser sends a message to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which then forwards the request to a DNS server to find the correct IP address for the website.

What is a DNS server and how does it function?

A DNS server is like a phone book for the Internet. It translates domain names (like Google.com) into their corresponding IP addresses, which are necessary for locating websites on the Internet.

What is an IP address, and why is it important for accessing websites?

An IP address is a unique identifier for each computer connected to the Internet, similar to a postal code. It ensures that data is sent and received to the correct destination.

How can you find the IP address of a website like Google?

You can use a website lookup tool (such as 'Look up IO') to find the IP address of Google.com or any other website, and then use the IP address directly to access the site.

How are continents connected to the Internet?

Continents are connected by massive undersea cables that transmit data between them. These cables contain hundreds of fiber optic fibers and can transmit up to 400 gigabytes of data per second using lasers.

What makes the Internet so fast and efficient?

The Internet is fast and efficient because it uses fiber optic cables, which transmit data at the speed of light. This allows signals to travel across the world in milliseconds, giving users near-instant access to websites.