The internet is a global network of connected computers that enables the exchange of information and access to services. This exchange happens efficiently thanks to a well-structured and interdependent system. Let’s understand how each part of this network interacts.
How does information travel across the internet? When you access a website on your web browser, what happens behind the scenes is communication between clients and servers. The client, in this case, the browser, requests information from the server, which stores the data of the requested page. To understand how the request reaches the server and how the data returns to the client, it's important to understand the role of packets. The data of a webpage (such as text, images, and videos) is divided into packets to be sent more efficiently across the network. Each packet contains a portion of the data, as well as information about the source and destination of the message. These packets travel across the internet until they reach the correct server, where they are reassembled and sent back to the client.
The role of servers and DNS When you type an address, such as "www.google.com", the browser needs to know which server to access. This is where the DNS (Domain Name System) comes in, translating the website name into an IP address. The DNS server acts like a list of addresses: it locates the server hosting the site and provides the necessary IP address for communication.
How packets connect to communication with the server The web server is where the content of web pages is stored. Once the DNS resolves the IP address, the browser, acting as a client, sends a request to the server, which then sends the data packets back to the client. When these packets reach the browser, they are reassembled, and the webpage appears on the user's screen.
The difference between a client, server, and how communication occurs A client is any device that requests data from a server. This includes not just web browsers, but also applications like an email client or a messaging app. The server, on the other hand, stores data and resources and responds to the requests made by clients. The browser, therefore, is a client that requests and displays content stored on web servers.
Each device and server’s IP address is essential for communication to occur. The web server has a unique IP address that allows the client (browser) to locate it. This process is completely transparent to the user but is crucial to ensure that the data reaches its destination.
To summarize, lets chop the concepts in little parts
What is a web server? A web server is a software or hardware system that stores and serves web pages to users' devices over the internet. When you type in a website's address (like google.com), the web server sends the necessary files (HTML, images, etc.) to your device for you to view the website.
What is a network? A network is a collection of devices (like computers, phones, or printers) that are connected to one another to share resources and data. This can happen either over local area networks (LAN) or larger networks like the internet.
What is the internet? The internet is a global network of interconnected computers and devices that communicate with each other to share information. It’s essentially a vast system that enables access to websites, email, streaming, and many other services.
What is an IP address? An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network. It’s like the address of your device on the internet, allowing other devices to locate and communicate with it.
What is a router? A router is a device that connects multiple networks, typically your local network (like your home Wi-Fi) to the internet. It directs data packets between devices within your network and the wider internet.
What is an ISP? An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides you with access to the internet. Examples include Comcast, AT&T, or Verizon.
What are packets and how are they used to transfer data? Packets are small chunks of data that are sent over the internet. Large files or messages are broken down into packets, which are transmitted separately across the network and reassembled at the destination.
What is a client? A client is any device or program that makes a request to a server. For example, when you use a web browser, your browser is acting as a client, requesting web pages from a server.
What is a server? A server is a computer or system that provides resources, services, or data to other computers (clients) over a network. For instance, a web server hosts websites that clients can request and view.
What is a web page? A web page is a document or content on the World Wide Web, typically made up of text, images, videos, or other multimedia that is displayed in a browser when you visit a website.
What is a web browser? A web browser is a software application (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) that allows you to view and interact with web pages on the internet.
What is a search engine? A search engine (like Google or Bing) is a tool that helps users find information on the internet by searching through indexed websites and displaying relevant results.
What is a DNS request? DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet’s phonebook. A DNS request is made when you type a website address (like google.com) into your browser. It translates that human-readable domain name into an IP address that computers use to find the server hosting the website.
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