What is the Internet?
The internet is a conglomeration of interconnected networks - big and small networks which are linked together to form a single entity. It was setup in 1969 and its growth has been explosive, catering for all parts of life and culture. It is monitored by the Internet Society.

Each computer that connects to the internet forms part of a network, which is why people can access your computer and why WebShield's Online Firewall is so beneficial. Your computer connects to a POP or Point Of Presence, a local place of connection via phone or dedicated line. The POPs then connect to NAPs or Network Access Points, which in turn connect to the internet via dedicated backbones.

Information is sent from one computer to another via routers, which are specialised computers that administrate the sending and receiving of information. Backbones are usually fiber optic trunk lines (many fibre optic cables linked together for added capacity). They range from an OC-3 (155 Mbps) to OC-48 (2488 Mbps).

Each Computer that connects to the internet has an IP Address or a unique identification number, eg. 234.18.55.140 Computers handle these numeric codes. Instead of an IP address, people use a domain name to access computers or websites, eg. www.bbcnews.com This text based system is known as the DNS (Domain Name System). The internet's DNS servers translate the text domain names into computer readable IP addresses.

Internet servers handle all the transactions of data. Dependent on the type of data and the function required, a web, FTP or email server may ensure its processing, eg. Your email software will communicate with an email server, and your web browser communicates with a web server.

The different functions available via a web or email server are run through numbered ports, eg. port 80 for a web server.
TOP
ALL CONTENT © WEBSHIELD 2005