INTERNET AS A NETWORK

INFRASTRUCTURE
Unit-1
 INTERNET

 The internet is a globally connected network system facilitating worldwide

communication and access to data resources through a vast collection of private, public,
business, academic and government networks. It is governed by agencies like the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (or IANA) that establish universal protocols.

 The terms internet and World Wide Web are often used interchangeably, but they are
not exactly the same thing; the internet refers to the global communication system,
including hardware and infrastructure, while the web is one of the services
communicated over the internet.
 The internet originated with the U.S. government, which began building a computer network in the

1960s known as ARPANET. In 1985, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) commissioned the

development of a university network backbone called NSFNET. The system was replaced by new

networks operated by commercial internet service providers in 1995. The internet was brought to the

public on a larger scale at around this time.

Since then, the Internet has grown and evolved over time to facilitate services like:

 Email.

 Web-enabled audio/video conferencing services.

 Online movies and gaming.

 Data transfer/file-sharing, often through File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

 Instant messaging.

 Internet forums.
 HOW INTERNET WORKS
PACKETS
 In networking, a packet is a small segment of a larger message. Each packet contains both data and information about that data.

The information about the packet's contents is known as the "header," and it goes at the front of the packet so that the receiving

machine knows what to do with the packet. To understand the purpose of a packet header, think of how some consumer products

come with assembly instructions.

 When data gets sent over the Internet, it is first broken up into smaller packets, which are then translated into bits. The packets get

routed to their destination by various networking devices such as routers and switches. When the packets arrive at their

destination, the receiving device reassembles the packets in order and can then use or display the data.

 Packets are sent across the Internet using a technique called packet switching. Intermediary routers and switches are able to

process packets independently from each other, without accounting for their source or destination. This is by design so that no

single connection dominates the network. If data was sent between computers all at once with no packet switching, a connection

between two computers could occupy multiple cables, routers, and switches for minutes at a time. Essentially, only two people

would be able to use the Internet at a time — instead of an almost unlimited number of people, as is the case in reality.
 PROTOCOLS

 Connecting two computers, both of which may use different hardware and run different
software, is one of the main challenges that the creators of the Internet had to solve. It
requires the use of communications techniques that are understandable by all connected
computers, just as two people who grew up in different parts of the world may need to
speak a common language to understand each other.
 This problem is solved with standardized protocols. In networking, a protocol is a
standardized way of doing certain actions and formatting data so that two or more devices
are able to communicate with and understand each other.
 There are protocols for sending packets between devices on the same network (Ethernet),
for sending packets from network to network (IP), for ensuring those packets successfully
arrive in order (TCP), and for formatting data for websites and applications (HTTP). In
addition to these foundational protocols, there are also protocols for routing, testing, and 
encryption. And there are alternatives to the protocols listed above for different types of
content — for instance, streaming video often uses UDP instead of TCP.
 Because all Internet-connected computers and other devices can interpret and understand
these protocols, the Internet works no matter who or what connects to it.
 PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

 A lot of different kinds of hardware and infrastructure go into making the Internet
work for everyone. Some of the most important types include the following:
• Routers forward packets to different computer networks based on their
destination. Routers are like the traffic cops of the Internet, making sure that
Internet traffic goes to the right networks.
• Switches connect devices that share a single network. They use packet switching
to forward packets to the correct devices. They also receive outbound packets
from those devices and pass them along to the right destination.
• Web servers are specialized high-powered computers that store and serve content
(webpages, images, videos) to users, in addition to hosting applications and
databases. Servers also respond to DNS queries and perform other important
tasks to keep the Internet up and running. Most servers are kept in large data
centers, which are located throughout the world.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INTERNET
Connectivity, communication, and sharing
 In the past days, if you sent a letter or someone sent you, it could take days
and sometimes even months to a reach letter at the destination. In modern
times, you can send a letter or important information to anyone in the e-mail
all over the world through the Internet. And, it often will be delivered to the
destination in less than a minute.
 Information, knowledge, and learning
 The Internet allows people to learn information about any topic and offers an
answer to any type of question, as it contains endless knowledge and
information. Using a search engine like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and
more, they all allow users to ask any question and find a web page with an
answer about that question. You can also watch videos about any topic on sites
like YouTube, which contain millions of videos of several topics. Also, you
can learn online courses in many different subjects.
 Address, mapping, and contact information
 The Internet can help users to provide information almost every place in the world on the
map with the help of GPS technology. You can find businesses in your area or the quickest
route to your location. Although, today's search engines are most powerful to know the
user's location and help offer the relevant searches for your area. Also, it can provide you
the contact information or address of any showroom or other services man. For example, if
you want to get the address of an electrician, you can search for an electrician and get a list
of local electricians in your area with their address.
 Selling and making money
 If you want to sell products and services or run a business, the Internet is the best place to
sell goods. Because anyone can find and access your website all over the world with the
help of the Internet. With online business, you are able to sell goods every day at all times
as the Internet is always on and always available. Also, the Internet provides the advantage
to promote your business online in the world through advertising. Additionally, there are
several ways to earn money online by performing other online services.
 Banking, bills, and shopping
 If you want to view your bank balance without leaving your home, the Internet offers you
the benefit to access your bank account to view the balance. Also, you can send money, pay
bills electronically, or many other services can complete through the Internet.
 Another advantage of the Internet is online shopping, which allows people to find products
of interest and buy them without having to visit a store. You can compare prices between
companies for any product through the Internet. Also, you can get help to make better
purchasing decisions by online reviews, which describes what others think about a product.
 Entertainment
 The Internet provides people to access endless entertainment. With the Internet, you can
watch movies, videos, play games online, listen to music, etc. There are many sites
available on the Internet, which contain different entertainment material like music, videos,
and more. Also, you can watch online videos on a platform like YouTube. Furthermore, you
can download any movies, videos, or other entertainment material via the Internet on
devices like computers or mobile phones that can be played anytime without an Internet
connection.
 DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET
 The Internet’s drawbacks can’t be overlooked any longer as numerous teenagers are affected by
Internet Addiction Disorder, then many ladies became online shopaholics.
1. Internet Addiction Disorder – 
Internet addiction is detrimental to not only fitness but also psychological state.  
 
2. Cyber Crime – 
Hacker programs a virus which gets into the pc and ruins valuable data. Users’ personal
information like name, address, master card, bank details, and other information are often accessed
by culprits when used on the web, leading to significant economic loss.
 
3. Social Alienation –
Time spent online flies fast without consciousness. After getting attracted the user trapped into the
trap, users are trapped by a “net”, spending less time with people in the real world. Less interaction
and face-to-face communication, actually, may end in a decrease in social abilities.
 
4. Spam –
The unnecessary emails, advertisements, etc. are sometimes said to be spam because they need the
power to hamper the system and make the users face many problems.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY

 COMMUNICATION
 Technology is extremely important as it has changed the way we
communicate with one another. In today’s society, we own smart phones,
iPads, computers, and many other forms of technology as a means of
communication. In addition, computers and iPads can be used to send
important emails to friends or colleagues, send photos, and any other
message that you want to get across. Smartphones are pretty much
everything all in one where you can text, email, call, and even video chat
with friends.
 LEGAL
 It is one of the importance of Technology background, the protection of the
community comes with our safety and legal systems lie primarily under duty.
Technology has contributed a lot to better law and others. We now have
cameras,cctv cameras, etc that show criminal scenes.
 INTRANET

 Intranet is defined as private network of computers within an organization with its own
server and firewall. Moreover we can define Intranet as:
• Intranet is system in which multiple PCs are networked to be connected to each other.
PCs in intranet are not available to the world outside of the intranet.
• Usually each company or organization has their own Intranet network and
members/employees of that company can access the computers in their intranet.
• Every computer in internet is identified by a unique IP address.
• Each computer in Intranet is also identified by a IP Address, which is unique among the
computers in that Intranet.
 BENEFITS

 Intranet is very efficient and reliable network system for any organization. It is beneficial in every
aspect such as collaboration, cost-effectiveness, security, productivity and much more.
 Communication
 Intranet offers easy and cheap communication within an organization. Employees can communicate
using chat, e-mail or blogs.
 Time Saving
 Information on Intranet is shared in real time.
 Collaboration
 Information is distributed among the employees as according to requirement and it can be accessed
by the authorized users, resulting in enhanced teamwork.
 Platform Independency
 Intranet can connect computers and other devices with different architecture.
 Cost Effective
 Employees can see the data and other documents using browser rather than printing them and
Disadvantages of Intranet
 EXTRANET

 Extranet refers to network within an organization, using internet to connect to the

outsiders in controlled manner. It helps to connect businesses with their customers and
suppliers and therefore allows working in a collaborative manner.
 Key Points
• The packet is encapsulated at boundary of networks in IPSEC complaint routers.
• It uses an encryption key to encapsulate packets and IP addresses as well.
• The packet is decoded only by the IPSEC complaint routers or servers.
• The message is sent over VPN via VPN Tunnel and this process is known as tunneling.
 VPN uses Internet Protocol Security Architecture (IPSEC) Protocol to provide
secure transactions by adding an additional security layer to TCP/IP protocol. 
BENEFITS
 ISSUES

 Apart for advantages there are also some issues associated with extranet. These issues are discussed
below:
 Hosting
 Where the extranet pages will be held i.e. who will host the extranet pages. In this context there are
two choices:
• Host it on your own server.
• Host it with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the same way as web pages.
 But hosting extranet pages on your own server requires high bandwidth internet connection which is
very costly.
 Security
 Additional firewall security is required if you host extranet pages on your own server which result in
a complex security mechanism and increase work load.
 Accessing Issues
 Information can not be accessed without internet connection. However, information can be accessed
in Intranet without internet connection.
 E-MAIL

 e-mail, in full electronic mail, messages transmitted and received by digital

computers through a network. An e-mail system allows computer users on a
network to send text, graphics, sounds, and animated images to other users.
 On most networks, data can be simultaneously sent to a universe of users or to
a select group or individual. Network users typically have an electronic mailbox
that receives, stores, and manages their correspondence. Recipients can elect to
view, print, save, edit, answer, forward, or otherwise react to communications.
Many e-mail systems have advanced features that alert users to incoming
messages or permit them to employ special privacy features. Large corporations
and institutions use e-mail systems as an important communication link
between employees and other people allowed on their networks. E-mail is also
available on major public online and bulletin board systems, many of which
maintain free or low-cost global communication networks.
 FEATURES OF EMAIL

The many different features of email include:

 automatic reply to messages
 auto-forward and redirection of messages
 facility to send copies of a message to many people
 automatic filing and retrieval of messages
 addresses can be stored in an address book and retrieved instantly
 notification if a message cannot be delivered
 emails are automatically date and time stamped
 signatures can be attached
 files, graphics or sound can be sent as attachments, often in compressed formats
 webmail and mobile email can be used to receive and send messages while on
the move
 Sending email
1. Open the email client, eg Microsoft Outlook, or if using webmail open a browser and
enter the webmail address, eg http://www.gmail.com and log in.
2. Click 'New' or 'Compose'.
3. Enter the intended recipient(s) email address(es) in the 'To' field.
4. Write a suitable subject in the 'Subject' field.
5. Write the message in the space below the Subject field.
6. Click 'Send' to send the email.
 There's the option to add an attachment, eg a photo.
 For security reasons, webmail users should log out once they're finished as the computer
they're using might be used by other people who, if they forgot to log out, would be able
to gain access to their email.
 Receiving email
 Email clients and webmail periodically check for new emails. A manual check can
be performed by clicking 'Send and Receive' in an email client or by refreshing
the page when using webmail.
 Email clients download attachments automatically but webmail users must
choose to download attachments.
 Email on other devices
 Today email is not limited to computers. It can be sent from many other devices
too, such as:
• mobile phones (using the carrier's network or a wireless hotspot)
• tablets
• games consoles
• TVs
• public kiosk terminals
 With wireless hotspots becoming increasingly common, it's easier than ever to
connect to the internet while on the move.