Computer Networks and the Internet: Concepts, Features, and Uses
Basic Concepts
What is a Network?
A network is a set of computers connected together to share data and resources. These networks can be interconnected to form larger networks.
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a global network consisting of millions of computers of all types and platforms, connected by various media and communication equipment. Its primary function is to locate, select, and share information from the place where you are to the place where it has been requested or sent. For this reason, it is often called the network of networks.
Internet Features
- Global: The Internet consists of more than 8 million servers distributed in over 90% of the world, with an estimated 80 million Internet users, and an exponential growth rate.
- Multidisciplinary: It integrates people from all professions, nationalities, religious beliefs, cultures, ages, and levels of preparation. This includes business, educational, and government institutions, independent professionals, regional and international organizations, and people with all types of occupations.
- Easy to Use: New computers and programs for network access allow new users to acquire skills in minimal time. All the technical aspects, such as the use of communications equipment and protocols, are hidden behind an easy-to-use graphical display managed through a mouse. Once a user has Internet access, they can easily exchange information with their neighbor or with a person or company across the world.
- Economic: Connecting to the network is the cheapest way to access all the information and versatility of the Web.
Applications and Uses of the Internet
- E-mail: Connect with people almost anywhere in the world.
- Get Public Domain Software: Access manuals, clip art, audio files, device drivers, games, images, animations, and more.
- Enter Specialized Databases: Find email addresses of authors of articles, features, stories, etc.
- Library Reference: Get a list of literature on a topic or author, and sometimes read a book or novel online.
- Read Newspapers and Magazines from around the world.
- Reservations at a Distance: Make reservations at hotels, airports, restaurants, etc.
- Advertising: Present your firm or company to the world. Anyone can request a product catalog instantly from places where it would be virtually impossible to reach by traditional methods. Statistics of interest are automatically recorded, allowing you to know who requested information and their socioeconomic profile. This provides better tools to tailor sales strategies to market needs.
- Collaboration with People at a Distance: Implement projects for companies or individuals via email, without having to travel to other countries.
- Multimedia: Thanks to new graphical environments, users can view items on screen with photos, animations, and even digital audio.
- Virtual Tour: Explore countries, museums, exhibitions, historic monuments, and sites virtually.
History of the Internet
The origin of the Internet is a former communications network created by the Ministry of Defense of the United States. ARPA, the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the ministry, developed ARPANET, a communication system that became operational in 1969. This network was entirely private, and nobody could access it freely.