how a request originates from client and reaches server

How a Request Travels from Client to Server

Every time you open a website, send a message, or watch a video online, something fascinating happens behind the scenes. A simple action—like typing a URL—sets off a chain reaction across the internet.

But how exactly does your request travel from your device (the client) to a server somewhere in the world?

Step 1: You Make a Request

It all starts with you.

You open your browser and type something like:

www.wikipedia.org.

At this moment, your device (phone, laptop, etc.) becomes the client, and it’s asking:

“Hey, can I see this website?”

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Step 2: The Browser Checks Cache

Before going out to the internet, your browser does a quick check:

• “Do I already have this data saved?”

If yes, it loads instantly.
If not, it proceeds to the next step.

This saves time and reduces unnecessary network traffic.

Step 3: DNS — Finding the Server’s Address

Humans use names like wikipedia.org, but computers need numbers.

So your system contacts a DNS (Domain Name System) server to translate the domain into an IP address.

Think of DNS as the internet’s phonebook.

Example:

www.wikipedoa.org → 10.1.34.81

Now your device knows where to send the request.

Step 4: Building the Request

Your browser now prepares a proper request using a protocol called HTTP (or HTTPS).

This request includes:

• The resource you want (like a webpage)
• Your browser details
• Other metadata

It’s like writing a letter with:

• Address
• Message
• Sender info Step 5: Breaking Data into Packets

The request doesn’t travel as one big chunk.

Instead, it is broken into small packets. Each packet contains:

• Part of the data
• Source IP (your device)
• Destination IP (server)
• Sequence info

Why?
Because smaller pieces travel faster and more reliably.

Step 6: Traveling Across the Network

here we can see the forward proxy and reverse proxy
FORWARD PROXY :
where it multiple requests goes to internet.
REVERSE PROXY:
where it comes from the internet.

Your packets travel through:

Each router acts like a traffic controller, deciding:

“Where should this packet go next?”

Packets don’t always take the same path—but they all eventually reach the destination.

Step 7: Reaching the Server

Finally, the packets arrive at the server.

The server:

1. Reassembles the packets
2. Understands the request
3. Processes it

Step 8: Server Sends a Response

Once processed, the server sends back a response.

This response is again:

• Broken into packets
• Sent back through the internet
• Routed back to your device

Step 9: Browser Renders the Page

Your device receives the packets and:

1. Reassembles them
2. Interprets the content
3. Displays it on your screen

And just like that—you see the website.

All of this typically happens in milliseconds.
A Simple Real-Life Analogy

Imagine ordering food online:

1. You place an order (request)
2. App finds the restaurant (DNS)
3. Order is prepared (server processing)
4. Delivery travels through roads (network routing)
5. Food reaches you (response)