The Internet

The internet consists of millions of computers, all of them are linked into a giant network. Every
computer connected to the internet is part of this network, and able to communicate with any other
connected computer. In order to communicate with each other these computers are equipped with
special communication software. To connect to the internet, we need internet service provider (ISP).
ISP is a company that provides internet service to people, usually for monthly charge. Local ISPs
connect to larger ISPs, which later connect to even larger ISPs. It is like a pyramid, with small
networks at the bottom and fewer but larger networks moving up. Amazingly, there is no single
controlling network at the top. It is the process that everyone on the internet can connect with
everyone else.

How does information travel through these networks, and arrive at its destination, in a fraction of a
second? The process depends on routers. The information is broken down into tiny packets. Each of
these packets has the address of the sender and of the receiver information. Each of these packets is
sent through the internet. When a packet reaches its routes, it will read the destination address and
decide the best route to send the packet to its destination. All the packets might take the same route
or might be different. Finally, when all the packets reach the destination, they will put into the
correct order.

Imagine that you want to send a friend a book, but you can send it only as postcards. First, cut up
each of the pages of the book. Next, write your address and your friend address. Next, number the
postcards so that your friend could put them in the correct order. Put all the post cards in the email.
These postcards some might go by truck, some by train, some by plane, some by boat, or go by all
four wats. Finally, after your postcards arrive, your friend would be able to read the book. Now it is
the same way that information is sent over the internet using the network of the routers.