How
the Net Works
Data traveling the Internet makes many stops. The first are at routers, devices which, as the name implies, route data around the Internet like traffic cops, finding the shortest distance from you to the destination (and back, if necessary) with the least traffic congestion. Routers know the right place to send your data, despite a seemingly endless number of options.
Next stop is the domain name system (DNS). It's made up of a network of computers called name servers, which translate the domain name of a URL (the accessmagazine.com in www.accessmagazine.com for example) into an Internet protocol (IP) address, which is formatted like this: 127.0.0.1. DNS tells your browser the IP address so it can look for the Web page in the right place.
Without DNS, you would have to remember IP numbers instead of URLs (ugh), because that's how the computers recognize each other. If the address information isn't on the first name server, the information is routed on to another.
The Web server is the com-puter where the Web page you request originates. Your browser will contact the server using its IP address, and once the server processes the request, it "serves up" a Web page by sending it to your browser. (The Web page doesn't always return along the same path as the request took.)
Ensuring these online communications take place are hundreds of protocols, the guidelines computers use to talk to one another. The two most important are Internet protocol (IP) for moving raw data, and transmission control protocol (TCP) for making sure data arrives intact. Together, they're called TCP/IP.
Other protocols that you'll see frequently:
Connection Options (refer to the pictures below to follow an item across the Internet)
With a dial-up modem, data travels over plain old telephone lines. With a national Internet service provider, your call is placed to a local bank of modems called a point of presence (POP). This way you can make a local call to access the World Wide Web.
"Always on" DSL connections travel much faster via phone lines to the phone company's central office, which connects to the Internet. DSL allows regular phone service and Internet service on the same line at the same time.
"Always on" cable modems connect to a cable node, a network that distributes TV signals and Internet connections to homes in your neighborhood. The more neighbors online at the same time, the slower your connection.
Routers
These devices are like traffic cops, figuring out the quickest path for your site request to take to the proper Web server. The router knows to avoid routes on the Internet that are heavily trafficked.
DNS Server
A domain name server translates the domain name (www.somewhere.com) in the URL or e-mail address to an IP address (127.0.0.1).
E-Mail Server
Messages sit on the e-mail server until the recipient logs on to check messages. The server then sends the recipient the messages it had in storage.
Web Server
The IP address is
served up to the proper Web server that houses the site. The server
sends the pages you request to your browser.
graphic: www.xplane.com
Adapted from content published in Access Magazine