What is the Internet?

The Internet is the global interconnection of computer networks, whereby all Internet-enabled computers communicate to each other and share information by using a specific network standard. Computers communicate with each other using protocols, which are set of instructions for enabling computers to share information/data.

The computers’ protocols include TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol). Both TCP and IP control on how data is transmitted from one device to another. The role of the Internet Protocol (IP) is to deliver packets from the Source Host to the Destination Host generally based on the IP addresses in the packet headers.

Having a Computer with Internet access you can perform a variety of activities including browsing and exploring the Web/Internet resources, chat/communicate with people all over the World, store your data online, watch or listen to your favorite online radios, Videos, Music and Movies or transfer money wherever in the World.

Social networking sites i.e. Facebook, Twitter MySpace and others provide a good environment for people to interact and share their views, interests and experiences.

The Internet Technology has become an important/major part of life and anyone can connect and benefit from the web content depending on the device and the connection type he/she is has. The Internet speed varies depending on your Internet connection type or the Internet Service you are using.

The Internet servers and clients

The Internet Sever is a computer that holds information on the internet for other devices to access them. It hosts the websites. The devices (computers) that are capable of retrieving or access the resources/information stored on Internet servers are known as Clients.

There are many devices you can use for browsing the Internet/web including Mobile or Smart Phones, Tablets, desktop PCs, Workstations, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), Netbooks and so many others.

To go online, your device must have Internet access (connected to the Internet). You connect to the Internet by using Internet service usually granted by an Internet service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that provides you with Internet Access either freely or for payments that can be done monthly or yearly.

An Internet Service Provider can provide Internet connectivity through a variety of ways or types depending on your economic status or requirements. These types of Internet connectivity provided by ISPs include dial-up access, broadband, cable, DSL (digital Subscriber Line) and others. An ISP can also offer other services to you for free such as E-mail Accounts, Browsers, Modems, Web Hosting or other services related to the Internet platform.

Note: The Long form for Internet is 'Interconnection of Computer Networks'

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