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Unit 7.1

Unit 7 Intro: The Internet and World Wide Web | IT 231 Notes

IT 231: IT and Application

Learning Objectives

By the end of this introductory chapter, you will be able to:

  • ✅ Trace the evolution of the Internet from a research project to a global commercial network.
  • ✅ Explain the roles of fundamental technologies like TCP/IP, IP addresses, and DNS.
  • ✅ Differentiate clearly between the Internet and the World Wide Web.
  • ✅ Discuss the broad societal impact of the internet, including e-commerce, privacy, and the digital divide.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a massive, global network of interconnected computer networks. It's the physical infrastructure that allows computers worldwide to communicate with each other.

Think of it as the planet's digital "road system".

  • It's a network of networks.
  • It's decentralized, with no single owner.
  • It uses a standard set of rules called protocols to communicate.

A Brief History of the Internet

  • 1960s: ARPANET - A US Department of Defense project to create a decentralized network that could withstand a nuclear attack.
  • 1970s: TCP/IP Developed - Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn develop the core communication protocols (TCP/IP) that still power the internet today.
  • 1983: DNS is Born - The Domain Name System is introduced, making it easier to navigate the network with human-readable names instead of numbers.
  • 1991: The World Wide Web Goes Public - Tim Berners-Lee releases the WWW project, making the internet accessible to the public through browsers.
  • Mid-1990s to Present: Commercialization & Growth - The internet explodes in popularity, leading to e-commerce, social media, and the digital age.

The Internet's Foundation: Protocols ⚡

Protocols are the agreed-upon rules and standards that allow different computers and devices to communicate with each other. They are the "grammar" of the internet.

Core Communication

TCP/IP

The fundamental protocol suite that governs how data is sent and received across the internet.

Addressing System

IP Address & DNS

The system that ensures data packets get to the correct destination, like a postal service for digital information.

TCP/IP: The Language of the Internet

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

Manages how data is broken down into smaller pieces called packets and reassembled at the destination.

  • Ensures reliable, error-free delivery.
  • Think of it as numbering the pages of a book before sending them.

IP (Internet Protocol)

Responsible for addressing and routing each packet to its correct destination across the network.

  • Acts like the postal service, putting an address on each envelope (packet).
  • Doesn't guarantee delivery; that's TCP's job.

IP Addresses & DNS: The Internet's Phonebook 🔍

IP Address

A unique numerical label assigned to each device on a network.

Example: 142.250.190.78 (one of Google's IP addresses)

Like a unique street address or phone number for a computer.

DNS (Domain Name System)

Translates human-friendly domain names into machine-readable IP addresses.

google.com ➡️ 142.250.190.78

It's the contact list for the internet, matching names to numbers.

Internet vs. World Wide Web

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing!

🌐 The Internet

The infrastructure.

  • Global network of computers
  • Cables, routers, servers
  • The hardware

Analogy: The road network

🕸️ The World Wide Web

A service on the Internet.

  • A collection of information (websites, pages)
  • Accessed via browsers using protocols like HTTP
  • The content

Analogy: The shops, houses, and buildings you visit using the roads

Powering the Web: HTTP

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the protocol that web browsers and web servers use to communicate and exchange information. It's the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web.

  • It's a request-response protocol. Your browser requests a webpage, and the server responds with the data.
  • HTTPS is the secure version, encrypting the data between your browser and the server. Always look for the 🔒 icon!

Societal Impact: A Double-Edged Sword

Opportunities 🚀

  • E-Commerce: Global marketplaces at our fingertips.
  • E-Governance: Government services delivered online.
  • Communication: Instant connection with anyone, anywhere.
  • Access to Information: The world's knowledge is a search away.

Challenges ⚠️

  • Privacy Issues: Data collection and surveillance.
  • The Digital Divide: Inequality in internet access and skills.
  • Misinformation: The rapid spread of false information.
  • Censorship: Government control over internet access.

Practical Application: The Internet in Nepal

Real-World Examples in Nepal

  • E-Commerce: Platforms like Daraz and Sastodeal have changed how Nepalis shop, bringing goods to remote areas.
  • E-Governance: The Nagarik App aims to centralize government services, while online tax systems from the IRD simplify payments for businesses.
  • The Digital Divide: A significant gap still exists between urban centers like Kathmandu with high-speed fiber and rural, mountainous regions with limited or no connectivity. This affects access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Key Takeaways 🎯

  • The Internet is the physical network infrastructure, while the World Wide Web is a service that runs on it.
  • Core protocols like TCP/IP (for data transmission) and DNS (for addressing) are the essential rules that make the internet work.
  • The internet has revolutionized modern society, creating massive opportunities through e-commerce and e-governance.
  • It also presents critical challenges, including threats to privacy and the persistent digital divide, which is a key issue in countries like Nepal.

Thank You!

Next Topic:

Unit 7.2: Connecting to the Internet & ISPs

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