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Akhona Mazingisa
Akhona Mazingisa

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History of the Internet

The internet, an important innovation in the field of technology and communication, has transformed the way people interact, share information, and conduct business globally. Since its establishment, the internet has gone through significant changes and developments, shaping our modern-day connected world. This article explores into the history of the internet and explores the functionality of fundamental elements such as DNS, Network Packet, FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS requests that form the backbone of online communication.

History of the Internet
The background of the internet can be traced back to the 1960s, during the time of the Cold War. Since every piece of data had to be delivered in a single packet, none of it would get through if the connection was lost at any point. Researchers overcame this issue by creating a novel technique known as packet switching. Splitting the data into smaller pieces and sending each one separately is possible with packet switching. Through packet switching, computers may communicate with one another across the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, or ARPANET. The first computers connected to the ARPANET in 1969, sending messages from UCLA to SRI in California.

Domain Name System (DNS)
Domain Name System (DNS) makes it easy for the Users to reach websites by entering in well-known domain names rather than difficult-to-understand numerical IP addresses. This technology is needed for managing internet traffic and assuring smooth online connectivity.

Network Packet
Network packets are data units that carry information across computer networks. Every packet or data block that makes up a message is carried with relevant address information that identifies the computer that sent the message and the intended destination.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a common network protocol that allows files to be sent via a computer network between a client and a server. The FTP enables users to upload, download, and manage data with ease via the internet. Efficient online sharing of digital content has been made possible due to large part to this protocol.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and HTTPS
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used to load webpages via hypertext links and serves as the fundamental framework of the World Wide Web. HTTP is an application layer protocol intended to transport data between networked devices. Web browsers and other Internet communications platforms ask for the data they require to load a page using an HTTP request.

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