The Internet
Components of the Internet
The Internet
Definition-A network of networks connecting a vast number of
computers from around the world.
Internet Protocols
Definition- a set of rules that govern the working of the Internet.
Examples
http
Protocol for the WWW
hypertext transfer protocol
Rules for the transfer of hypertext files
FTP
file transfer protocol
Rules for transferring large files
The
Internet
Hardware of the Internet
Client Computers
Computers generally found in homes
Server Computers
Computers used to provide services on the Internet
Routers / Hubs / Switches
Equipment that manages the flow of information around the Internet
Wire
Fiber Optic
Copper
Wireless
Network device
Modem:A Modulator/Demodulator (MoDem)that communicates with the
network
NIC Card:Network interface card-communicates with the network
Aspects of the Internet
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World Wide Web- Hypertext based
Newsgroups (Usenet)- online discussions
File Transfer Protocol-Sharing files on the Internet
eMail-text communication between computers
Telnet-live text based connection to a computer
The Internet
http
ftp
File sharing
WWW
Usenet
Newsgroups
eMail
Telnet
Aspects of the Internet: World Wide
Web
• This is commonly referred to as the Internet
however the WWW is only part of the Internet.
• To access the WWW you must use a browser of
some sort. There are many to choose from but the
most popular are Netscape and Internet Explorer.
• The WWW employs a protocol called http or
hypertext transfer protocol.
Aspects of the Internet: Newsgroups
• Newsgroups are similar to message boards on the
WWW. People are allowed to post messages that
discuss a wide range of topics.
• A discussion group will typically deal with one
specific topic. (ex. Filemaker Pro CDML)
• Newsgroups use a portion of the Internet called
Usenet.
Aspects of the Internet: File
Transfer Protocol
• A client/server protocol for exchanging files with a
host computer.
• Using a client application, a user logs into a server
to add files to the server or retrieve files.
Aspects of the Internet: Wide
Area Information Services
• WAIS is a search engine developed for the Internet.
It allows one to search the complete text of a
document.
Aspects of the Internet: Gopher
• A document retrieval system from the University of Minnesota.
Using Gopher, a user can access files from many different computers
by looking through hierarchical menus to find specific topics. A
document may be text, sound, image, or other type file.
• A program called Jughead can be used to search for topics found
within Gopher files. Gopher sites can now be accessed through the
World Wide Web.
Aspects of the Internet: Telnet
• A text based method of connecting to and managing
a computer on a network.