Internet Basics
A management-level overview of the
Internet, its architecture,
capabilities, and protocols.
Copyright 2011 SPMI / Online Development
What is the The Internet?
A Technical Answer
 The
Internet is a network of networks,
reaching around the world, connecting
computers of all shapes and sizes, all
exchanging data through a standard called
“TCP/IP”.
 The shape and content of the Internet
change continually, as computers and
networks are added and removed.
What is the The Internet?
A Functional Answer
 A set
•
•
•
•
•
of Protocols (applications), including:
Electronic Mail
Usenet Newsgroups
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Hypertext Transfer (The World Wide Web)
Others
Connecting to the Internet
Your Access Provider
(ex: Netcom, AOL)
Dial-up
or direct
Access
PC
Other Computers, most with
dedicated connections.
Communications
 Computers
communicate on the Internet
using a standard technique called TCP/IP.
I
P
T
C
P
(message)
T
C
P
I
P
How Data Gets Around
 The
TCP/IP standard is used to move
packets of data across the Internet.
 Each packet is:
•
•
•
•
Broken down
Transmitted
Received
Re-assembled
Client- Server Architecture
Server Software
& Client Software
Server Software
Direct,
SLIP,
or PPP
Access
PC
Client Software
(E-mail, Web, News,
FTP, Gopher, Web)
vs.
Shell
Account
Access
Simple
Comm.
Package
PC
Electronic Mail
 E-mail
is the exchange of free-form
messages between users of computers
connected to the Internet. Each user has an
E-mail address.
 E-mail client programs usually include
store, reply, forward, delete, and fileattachment capabilities.
Electronic Mail (cont.)
is the Internet’s least common
denominator, with over 40 million users
having Internet E-mail access.
 Many E-mail servers are only occasionally
connected to the Internet, in order to collect
and send messages to and from the server’s
local users.
 E-mail
Electronic Mail - Graphic
Mail Server
Mail Server
Mail Server
Other Computers
Read
Messages
PC
Send
Messages
Mail
Reader
Program
Other Users
Other Users
Usenet News
 Usenet
is a very large, distributed bulletin
board system, which is continuously
transferred among Usenet sites across the
Internet.
 Usenet content is comprised of a large
number of articles, posted by users, and
organized by topic into Newsgroups.
Usenet News - Graphic
News Server
News Server
News Server
Other Computers
Read
Postings
PC
Post
Articles
News
Reader
Other Users
Other Users
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
 FTP is
the tool used for downloading (and
occasionally uploading) files between
computers on the Internet.
 FTP works with two types of files:
• ASCII Files (unformatted text).
• Binary Files (programs, formatted data,
pictures, sound, video).
FTP - Graphic
FTP Server
FTP Server
Other “Archives”
Upload &
Download
Files
Upload &
Download
Files
PC
FTP
Client
FTP Server
The World Wide Web
 The
Web is the collection of servers,
documents, and links which are accessible
to anyone with Internet access and a Web
client browser.
 The Web uses the Hypertext Transfer
Protocol to link Web pages from various
computers together.
World Wide Web - Graphic
Web Server
Web Server
Requests (Clicks)
Documents (Pages, Files)
Links
Links
Web Server
PC
Web
Browser
“Surfing” the Web
Web Server
Web Server
Page
Page
L
L
Page
Page
Links
L
Web Page
PC
Page
Web Server
Web
Browser
(ex: Netscape
Navigator)
How businesses use the Internet - 1
PC
Internal
Computer
* Product Information
* Promotion Announcements
* Newsletters
* Order Forms
* Text, Sound, Images, Video
Supplier or
Customer
Exchange E-mail with customers
and suppliers.
How businesses use the Internet - 2
A
Acme
Widgets
Welcome to the Home page
for the Acme Widget Company.
Check out our product info and
technical bulletins in these Web
pages.
Gather product and technical
information from the World Wide Web.
How businesses use the Internet - 3
Widgets Newsgroup
Post
Read
Read
Post
Interact with potential customers
through Usenet Newsgroups.
How businesses use the Internet - 4
Note: Most files have to be
uncompressed after they are downloaded.
File Transfer
* Internet Programs
* Sound, Video
* Technical Items
* Formatted Text
Any Internet Host
with an FTP Server
Distribute and collect files
and software, through FTP.
How businesses use the Internet - 5
Service Provider
Your
Web
Page(s)
C
Coswell
Cogs
Welcome to the Home Page
for the Coswell Cog Company.
Check out our company
background and new product
announcements on the next
few pages.
Promote your company and
products on the WWW.
Target Market
How businesses use the Internet - 6
Prior Arrangement
Encryption
Seller
Digital Cash
Buyer
Others
Process transactions through
E-mail and the Web. (Advanced)
Getting Started
 Review
and understand the different types
of Internet connections and services, and the
advantages and costs of each.
 Evaluate your online business requirements
and objectives, considering your target
audience.
 Consider developing in phases.