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Damian Emerah
Damian Emerah

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What Happens When You Enter "https://www.google.com" in Your Browser?

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Introduction:
When you enter "https://www.google.com" in your browser and press Enter, a series of steps takes place behind the scenes to display the Google homepage. Let's explore this process in detail.

  1. IP Addresses
    Google has multiple IP addresses associated with its servers. Two of these addresses are 142.251.39.110 and 216.58.223.228. While you can type these IP addresses directly into your browser, it's more convenient to use the domain name "www.google.com."

  2. The Role of DNS:
    Domain names, like "www.google.com," are easier for humans to remember than IP addresses. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses. When you click on a link or enter a domain name, your browser contacts a DNS server to find the IP address associated with that domain name.

3 Understanding TCP/IP:
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a set of communication protocols used for connecting devices and transmitting data over networks, including the internet.

The Lifecycle of a Browser Request:

  1. DNS Resolution:
    After you press Enter, your browser sends a request to a DNS server to obtain the IP address for "www.google.com." The DNS server responds with the corresponding IP address.

  2. HTTP Request:
    Your browser sends an HTTP GET request to the server associated with the IP address obtained from DNS. This request specifies the desired resource, such as the default page or other content related to "www.google.com."

  3. Server Processing:
    The server receives the HTTP request and processes it. It generates an HTTP response with a "200 OK" status code, indicating that the request was successful. The server breaks down the response into smaller data packets for efficient transmission.

  4. Data Transmission:
    The server starts sending the requested resource (web page content) as a series of data packets to your browser. These packets are transmitted over the network and may undergo error detection, correction, and congestion control processes.

  5. Browser Rendering:
    Your browser receives the data packets and begins rendering the web page. It interprets the HTML, executes any JavaScript code, applies CSS styles, and displays the web page's content in the browser window.

Conclusion:
In just a matter of seconds (depending on your internet speed), the entire lifecycle of a browser request and response occurs. This process involves DNS resolution, HTTP request and response, data transmission, and browser rendering. Understanding these steps helps us appreciate the complexity behind the seemingly simple act of loading a webpage.

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