P1: Describe the Internet and the worldwide web are and how they operate.

What is Internet?

The Internet is globally connected network system that uses IP data transfers through specific routers and servers. When two computers are connected over the Internet, they can send and receive all kinds of information such as text, graphics, voice, videos and computer programs. The Internet is a global exchange network including private, public, business and government networks based on wireless and fiber-optic technologies.

The terms Internet and World Wide Web are often used replaceable, but they are not the same. The web is one of the services delivered over the Internet while the Internet refers to a global communications system, including hardware and infrastructure.

Equipment to setup the Internet

There are various options right now when choosing Internet service. When picking a provider, it is important to consider whether living in rural or urban area, how many people are in the house and what speeds we need to make sure everyone is connected.

The types of equipment to setup Internet are:

•  Routers
•  Modems
•  Servers
•  Wireless Network
• Cellular Network
• Wired Network

    1. Routers

The router is the piece of network hardware that allows communication between the local home network. It contains software called firmware that should be updated as released by the router manufacturer. A router is the first line of security from interruption into a network. Enabling the highest level of security in the router is the best way to keep the computer system and information safe from attacks.

Diagram 1: Router

    2. Modems

A modem is a hardware device that allows a computer to send and receive data over a telephone line or cable or satellite connection. The modem converts data between analog and digital formats in real time for two-way network communication. There are two types of modems such as dial-up modems and broadband modems.

Diagram 2: Modem

    3.Servers

A server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to another computer over the Internet or local network. The word server is understood by most to mean a web server where web pages can be accessed over the Internet through a client like a web browser. There are different types of servers which are, file server, print server, web server, application server, server capabilities and server software.

Diagram 3: Server

    4. Wireless Network

Wireless network allows devices to stay connected to the network, but roam untethered to any wires. Access points amplify WI-FI signals, so a device can be far from a router but still be connected to the network.

Diagram 4: Wireless Network

    5. Cellular Network

Cellular technology provides wireless Internet access through cell phones. The speeds vary depending on the provider, but the most common are 3G and 4G speeds.

Diagram 5: Cellular Network

    6.Wired Network

     A wired network is a kind of normal wired configuration. Most wired network use Ethernet cables to transfer data between connected PCs. In a small wired network, a single router may be used to connect all the computers. Larger networks often involve multiple routers or switches that connect to one another.

Diagram 6: Wired Network

World Wide Web (WWW) 

      World Wide Web (WWW) is hypertext document system that are linked to one another. The Internet is a way to access an attached set of documents. The world wide web has been widely available since 1991. Hypertext documents can contain text, images or even audio and video data. The world wide web, serves as a massive information base and facilitates the dissemination of this information around the world. The world wide web mission is to lead the web with full potential by developing a common protocol that promotes evolution and ensures its interoperability.

Diagram 7: World Wide Web (WWW)

PROTOCOLS

Protocol is the special set of rules that end points in a telecommunication connection use when communicate. Protocols specify interactions between the communicating entities. There are three types of protocols, such as:

• Transmission control protocol (TCP)
• Internet Protocol (IP)
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

1) Transmission control protocol (TCP)

- It is a standard that defines how to establish and maintain a network conversation via which application programs can exchange data. Transmission control protocol works with the internet protocol which defines how computers sends packets of data to each other.

2) Internet Protocol (IP)

- the internet protocol (IP) is the method or protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another on the internet. Each computer on the internet has at least one IP address that uniquely identifies it from all other computers n the internet.

3) Hypertext Transfer protocol (HTTP)

- Hypertext transfer protocol is the set of rules for transferring files on the world wide. As soon as a web user opens their web browser, the user is indirectly making use of HTTP. It is an application protocol that runs on top of the TCP/IP suite of protocols.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides access to internet. It is used in every organizations that provide access to the internet using several technologies, including dial-up, DSL, cable modem, wireless or dedicated high-speed interconnects.

Diagram 8: Internet Society Provider

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

The world wide web consortium (W3C) is worldwide community where the organization staff and the public work together to develop web standards. The mission of W3C is to lead World Wide Web to its potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure the long-term growth of the web. The purpose of W3C is to develop open standards so that the web evolves in one way rather than being split among competing factions.

Diagram 9: World Wide Web Consortium

Internet Society (ISOC)

A global cause-driven society that handles internet standards, education and policy development. The mission of ISOC’s is to guarantee open internet development by enhancing and supporting internet use for organizations and individuals worldwide.

Diagram 10: Internet Society

NETWORK

A network involves of two or more computers that are connected in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow microelectronic communications. There are two very common types of networks, include:

•   Local Area Network (LAN)
•  Wide Area Network (WAN)

Advantages of using network:

      1.     Sharing devices such as printers saves money.

      2.     Documents can easily be shared between users.

      3.     Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file server.

Disadvantages of using network:

      1.   There is a risk of hacking, particularly with wide are networks. Security procedures are needed to       avoid such misuse, example: firewall.

      2.    Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.

WI-FI

WI-FI is the name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed internet and network connection. A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router and also includes the purposes of a wireless access point. It is used to provide access to the internet or computer network. The router is beneficial because it shares the internet signal between the many devices without using any cables.

Diagram 11: WI-FI

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth is a similar radio-wave technology, it’s is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows devices such as mobile phones, computers, data over a short distance. The purpose of Bluetooth is to replace the cables hat normally connect devices, while still keeping the communications between them secure.

Diagram 12: Bluetooth

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

A handheld device that combines computing, telephone or fax, internet and networking features. It can be used for web browsing, office applications, watching videos, viewing photos or as mobile phones. Personal digital assistant has the ability to back up the information as well as PDAs can provide lots of entertainment.

Diagram 13: Personal Digital Assistant

SMARTPHONES

A smartphone is a cellular telephone with an integrated computer and other features not originally related with phones such as operational system, web browsing and the ability to run software application. It is almost the same as personal digital assistant (PDA).

Diagram 14: Smartphones