What is the internet and How Does the Internet Work? | Network and Internet explained

Summary

This video explains the origin and workings of the internet. It describes the vast global network of interconnected computers and physical cables, including the subsea fiber optic cables that form the backbone of the internet. The process of connecting to a website involves multiple steps, including requests sent from devices to servers via Internet Service Providers (ISPs), traveling undersea, and reaching data centers. The server then sends the requested information back in small data packets, which are reassembled to display the website. All of this happens almost instantaneously, providing a seamless browsing experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The internet is a global network of interconnected computers, not just the worldwide web.
• 😀 The internet relies on a vast system of physical cables that connect devices to servers.
• 😀 The connection starts when a device connects to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network.
• 😀 The Domain Name Server (DNS) acts as a directory that helps find the correct server for the website.
• 😀 The request to access a website travels through underground and subsea fiber optic cables.
• 😀 Subsea fiber optic cables link continents and carry 95% of international digital traffic.
• 😀 The internet's physical cables, known as the backbone, are crucial for global communication.
• 😀 Fiber optic cables are incredibly thin, about the size of a garden hose, and can be damaged by sharks.
• 😀 Despite potential damage, the internet rarely experiences downtime due to the redundancy in cable networks.
• 😀 When a request reaches the server, the information is sent back as packets, which are reassembled into the webpage.
• 😀 All of this data transfer happens nearly instantaneously, millions of times per second around the world.

Q & A

What is the internet, and how is it different from the worldwide web?

The internet is a global network of interconnected computers, while the worldwide web is a collection of digital pages accessed over the internet. The two are often confused but are not the same thing.

How does the internet work when you want to visit a website?

First, your device connects to your internet service provider's (ISP) network. You enter a website's address, and the ISP sends a request to a Domain Name Server (DNS), which acts as a directory. The DNS matches the address and directs the request to the server hosting the website, often across the globe.

What role does the Domain Name Server (DNS) play in the internet process?

The DNS acts as a directory, matching the web address you enter with the corresponding server hosting the website. It ensures that your request is routed correctly.

How does the internet physically connect different parts of the world?

The internet is connected through a vast network of physical cables, many of which run under the sea as subsea fiber optic cables. These cables connect continents and carry 95% of international digital traffic.

What are subsea fiber optic cables, and why are they important?

Subsea fiber optic cables are underwater cables that link continents and carry the majority of the world's internet traffic. Without them, the global internet infrastructure would not be possible.

Why are subsea fiber optic cables vulnerable, and what happens when they're damaged?

These cables are vulnerable to damage from events like shark bites. However, the vast network of cables means that if one cable is damaged, the data request can be rerouted, minimizing the impact on internet functionality.

How do data packets travel across the internet?

When your device sends or receives data, it is broken down into small chunks called packets. These packets travel across the network and are reassembled by your device, forming the webpage or content you requested.

What is the internet backbone, and why is it crucial for the global internet?

The internet backbone consists of the main subsea fiber optic cables that carry digital traffic between continents. They are vital for maintaining the flow of global internet traffic.

Can the internet ever be considered 'down'?

No, the internet is never truly down. If one part of the network encounters an issue, such as a damaged cable, the request is simply rerouted through other parts of the network, ensuring continued service.

How fast is the process of data transfer over the internet?

The entire process of sending and receiving data over the internet happens in the blink of an eye, millions of times per second, across the globe.