INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET
Why Study about the Internet?
√ To understand what the Internet is, the services that it offers, what is required in order to get
connected, as well as to establish a connection and log out of the Internet.
What is the Internet?
❖ It is a large no. of connected computers (or a large set of computer networks) linked together
that communicate with each other, over telephone lines.
❖ It is a worldwide computer network connecting thousands of computer networks, through a
mixture of private & public data using the telephone lines.
❖ It is a worldwide (global or an international) network of computers that provide a variety of
resources and data to the people that use it.
❖ Internet refers to a global inter-connection of computers and computer networks to facilitate
global information transfer. It is an interconnection of computers throughout the world,
using ordinary telecommunication lines and modems.
The Internet uses VSATS (Very Small Aperture Telecommunication Systems) such as
Telephone lines, Satellite.
The other names for the Internet are:
- The Net.
- Information Superhighway.
- Cyber space.
Internet is a facility that links the Internet users to the actual Internet documents. Therefore, it is
a system that links together many kinds of information all over the world. This technology
allows computers equipped with telecommunication links to exchange information freely, and as
such, the Internet has enhanced what is being referred to as a global village.
Internet enables companies, organizations, individuals, schools and governments to share
information across the world.
, A computer on the Internet can be located anywhere in the world. The Internet enables the
computer to communicate with any other computer.
HISTORY (DEVELOPMENT) OF THE INTERNET.
The Internet was started by the U.S Department of Defence in 1969 as a network of 4 computers
called ARPANET. Its aim was to connect a set of computers operated by several Universities
and Scientists doing military research so as to enable them share research data.
The original network grew as more computers were added to it. By 1974, 62 computers were
already attached.
In 1983, the Internet split into 2 parts; one dedicated exclusively (solely/only) to military
installations (called Milnet), and the other dedicated to university research (called the Internet),
with around 1,000 host computers.
In 1985, the Canadian government developed the BITNET to link all the Canadian Universities,
and also provided connections into the U.S Internet.
In 1986, the U.S National Service Foundation created NSFNET to connect leading U.S
universities. By the end of 1987, there were 10,000 host computers on the Internet and 1,000 on
BITNET.
In 1987, the National Science Foundation leased (acquired/rent) high-speed circuits to build a
new high-speed backbone for NSFNET. In 1988, it connected 13 regional internal networks
containing 170 LAN’s and 56,000 host computers.
The Canadian Research Council followed in 1989, replacing BITNET with a high-speed network
called CA*net that used the Internet protocols. By the end of 1989, there were almost 200,000
host computers on the combined U.S and Canadian Internet.
Similar initiatives (plans/projects) were undertaken by other countries in the world, such that by
the early 1990s, most of the individual country networks were linked together into one
worldwide network of networks.
Why Study about the Internet?
√ To understand what the Internet is, the services that it offers, what is required in order to get
connected, as well as to establish a connection and log out of the Internet.
What is the Internet?
❖ It is a large no. of connected computers (or a large set of computer networks) linked together
that communicate with each other, over telephone lines.
❖ It is a worldwide computer network connecting thousands of computer networks, through a
mixture of private & public data using the telephone lines.
❖ It is a worldwide (global or an international) network of computers that provide a variety of
resources and data to the people that use it.
❖ Internet refers to a global inter-connection of computers and computer networks to facilitate
global information transfer. It is an interconnection of computers throughout the world,
using ordinary telecommunication lines and modems.
The Internet uses VSATS (Very Small Aperture Telecommunication Systems) such as
Telephone lines, Satellite.
The other names for the Internet are:
- The Net.
- Information Superhighway.
- Cyber space.
Internet is a facility that links the Internet users to the actual Internet documents. Therefore, it is
a system that links together many kinds of information all over the world. This technology
allows computers equipped with telecommunication links to exchange information freely, and as
such, the Internet has enhanced what is being referred to as a global village.
Internet enables companies, organizations, individuals, schools and governments to share
information across the world.
, A computer on the Internet can be located anywhere in the world. The Internet enables the
computer to communicate with any other computer.
HISTORY (DEVELOPMENT) OF THE INTERNET.
The Internet was started by the U.S Department of Defence in 1969 as a network of 4 computers
called ARPANET. Its aim was to connect a set of computers operated by several Universities
and Scientists doing military research so as to enable them share research data.
The original network grew as more computers were added to it. By 1974, 62 computers were
already attached.
In 1983, the Internet split into 2 parts; one dedicated exclusively (solely/only) to military
installations (called Milnet), and the other dedicated to university research (called the Internet),
with around 1,000 host computers.
In 1985, the Canadian government developed the BITNET to link all the Canadian Universities,
and also provided connections into the U.S Internet.
In 1986, the U.S National Service Foundation created NSFNET to connect leading U.S
universities. By the end of 1987, there were 10,000 host computers on the Internet and 1,000 on
BITNET.
In 1987, the National Science Foundation leased (acquired/rent) high-speed circuits to build a
new high-speed backbone for NSFNET. In 1988, it connected 13 regional internal networks
containing 170 LAN’s and 56,000 host computers.
The Canadian Research Council followed in 1989, replacing BITNET with a high-speed network
called CA*net that used the Internet protocols. By the end of 1989, there were almost 200,000
host computers on the combined U.S and Canadian Internet.
Similar initiatives (plans/projects) were undertaken by other countries in the world, such that by
the early 1990s, most of the individual country networks were linked together into one
worldwide network of networks.
