GNVQ ICT - Intermediate

Unit 10 - Networks and Communications

The Internet

Hyperlinks on the level above: [Home Page for Unit 10] [ Stand-alone computers ] [ LANs ] [ WANs ] [ Standard ways of working ] [ Electronic communications ] [ Advantages and Disadvantages ] [ Using a network ]

Hyperlinks:

On this level:

On the level below:

Connection Speed
Growth of the Internet

 

The Internet

The Internet is a huge Wide Area Network (WAN) where computers are linked using a variety of different connections.  Most commonly a user has a device called a modem installed in their computer.  This device converts the digital data used by the computer into analog data (sounds) that can be sent along a telephone line (rather like the noise a fax machine makes when sending a document to another fax machine).  The modem dials a special number belonging to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).  A modem inside the ISP’s computer converts the analog data back into digital form and, once the ISP’s database has checked the username and password of the user, a connection to the Internet is made.

The Internet was first invented by a group of American University academics who decided to create a system to exchange information between themselves using computers connected to telephone lines.  This was soon recognised as a powerful communication tool and was further developed by the US military.  The growth in use of the Internet has been staggering – people from every part of the world can now communicate cheaply and effectively using certain software tools.

A very important factor in how useful the Internet can be is how quickly the user can connect and access the data they require.  Click the links below for more information.

Connection Speed
Growth of the Internet

The Internet

If you have your own Web Site, it is important to know how the Internet works and what part you have to play in it.  The following diagram and associated text is an attempt to explain some of the important components of the Internet and how they affect you.
Domain Name Registry
Servers forming part of the Internet
Your Internet Service Provider's Server
Your Domain Hosting Service Provider's Server
Your Internet connection
Information flowing throughout the Internet
Email collected by you
Your computer
How does it work?
To gain access to the Internet, you enter into a contract with an Internet Service Provider (ISP).  
     
This ISP will also provide you with an Email address, which means that you can collect email from a "mailbox" located on the ISP's server.
  
Your computer is configured to access the Internet by passing through this ISP's computer "server" AND your computer is configured to collect email from the ISP's server.
         
When you have your own website, this means that you have a registered Domain name.  This name is exclusive to you - a unique name that is unable to be owned by anyone else in the world.  The Domain name is included in your web address eg www.ictgnvq.org.uk. 
        
Your Web site must be stored on a Host Server.  This is a different type of Internet Service provision and therefore is usually provided by a different ISP.  The host server for the ictgnvq domain is btinternet.
      
This Web Hosting service provider also provides you with Email services ie Mailboxes and the ability to set-up and use your own email addresses eg. mail@ictgnvw.org.uk 
     
Your Host Server and your own computer must be configured to access and collect email from these mailboxes. 
    
When people access your Web site or send you email, the Domain Name Registry directs their electronic communication to your ISPs' servers.  That is, if the communication is referencing your Domain (for Web information or passing on email) it is directed to your Web Host's Server OR if it is email being sent to your Internet access ISP provided email address, then it is directed to your Internet Access ISP's server.  The diagram (above) may explain this a little better.
 

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Please email your comments to mail@ictgnvq.org.uk    Created by K C Parry - Please email your comments to kcparry@ictgnvq.org.uk