Introduction to Internet and Networking
Internet: The term "internet" refers to a collection of different services and information. It provides a vast amount of information in one location. It is a useful tool for researching and communicating about various kinds of topics. The Internet is a massive international source of information.
Networking: Computer networking is the term for a network of connected computers that may communicate and share resources. These networked devices communicate data through wireless or physical technologies using a set of guidelines known as communications protocols.
Network Protocol
An established set of guidelines that govern how data is sent between various devices connected to the same network is known as a network protocol.
In essence, it enables interconnected devices to interact with one another despite any variations in their internal workings, structures, or designs.
The quickest protocol is Net BIOS Enhanced User Interface (NetBEUI), and it doesn't need any special settings to use it. The use of NetBEUI is straightforward.
A routable protocol called AppleTalk is primarily used on networks to connect Macintosh machines.
Another routable protocol is Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The majority of OSs support TCP/IP. It is more trustworthy than alternative protocols.
In Novell NetWare networks, NWLink is utilized. This protocol may be routed and is simple to deploy. Compared to TCP/IP, the NWLink protocol is quicker, although it is slower than NetBEUI.
Advantages of the Internet
1. Sending Electronic Mail (email)
Email on the Internet.
The majority of people use the internet for email. Email is used by people to send data, images, videos, business communications, and other information to others immediately. People were able to interact more swiftly as a result, which also improved business efficiency. An email has greatly reduced the quantity of paper needed and lessened the strain on the established postal system.
2. Accessing E-Commerce
E-commerce on the Internet.
The Internet makes it feasible for goods and services to be sold online. Many providers of e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon and Ola, gather a range of products and services available on the market and make them available for purchase to customers through their portal. Customers may skip visiting physical businesses and get a good price on these websites.
3. Searching Information
Searching for Information on the Internet.
Information can now be found much more easily with the advent of the internet, and it only takes a few clicks to find what you need. These search engines get the data a user requests from any server, wherever it may be in the world (world wide web). Google, Yahoo, and MSN are the three most well-known search engines currently in use. Any subject may be searched on this website. Nowadays, the term "Google" is widely used to replace the verb "search."
4. Performing Banking Online
Banking on the Internet.
Performing online banking is referred to as Net banking, and it makes it possible to carry out basic financial activities on a mobile device or at home. Bank branch visitation has considerably declined since virtually all services are now available 24 hours a day via net banking. Any amount of money can be moved instantaneously with this option. E-banking is also supported for payments for services like electricity, telephone, and other utilities.
5. Online Education
Education on the Internet.
The Internet offers a wide range of educational materials on a variety of topics. People only need to spend a few minutes online researching the relevant subject. The Internet offers a range of educational materials on any subject with well-organized navigation and search possibilities. Since everyone can search the internet for any book they want to read from any server anywhere in the world, people don't need to go to libraries to peruse books.
Those who are unable to attend in-person lessons may sign up for an online course where they may communicate with their instructor through video from a different part of the world and learn about the subject using various audiovisual aids.
Summary
Thousands of smaller networks are connected by the global communication network known as the Internet. A network of linked computers that can interact and share resources is known as a computer network. A network protocol is a collection of rules that have been designed to control how data is transferred between different devices connected to the same network. The Internet enables human interaction through social media, electronic mail (e-mail), "chat rooms," newsgroups, and audio and video transmission while also enabling remote teamwork. It supports a variety of applications, such as the World Wide Web, that require access to digital information.
Solved Questions
1. How to identify a Protocol?
Ans: You can Identify protocol by following these steps:-
To identify a Protocol, you can first select Settings, then open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
Double-click Network to launch the Network control panel when the Control Panel is visible.
Examine the Protocols tab to see if NetBIOS, NetBEUI, TCP/IP, or LANBIOS (or LANtastic if you utilize a LANtastic network) is indicated.
2. For what NetBEUI is designed?
Ans: A network service called NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System) makes it possible for programs running on various computers to communicate with one another via a local area network (LAN). It was created in the 1980s to be used with early IBM PC networks.
Learning by Doing
Write true or false:
1. A network protocol can not enable interconnected devices to interact with one another. (T/F)
2. The term "internet" refers to a collection of different services and information. (T/F)
3. The quickest protocol is Net BIOS Enhanced User Interface (NetBEUI). (T/F)
4. The Internet is only used to send emails. (T/F)
FAQs on Briefing on Internet and Networking
1. What is the fundamental difference between the Internet and computer networking?
The Internet is a massive, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the TCP/IP protocol suite to link devices worldwide. It's a public network that provides a vast array of information and communication facilities. In contrast, computer networking is the broader concept of connecting two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing resources, such as files, printers, and services. The Internet is the largest example of a computer network.
2. What are the main types of computer networks as per the CBSE syllabus?
Based on geographical scope, computer networks are primarily classified into four types:
- LAN (Local Area Network): Connects devices within a limited area like a school, office, or home.
- MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Spans a larger geographical area like a city, connecting multiple LANs.
- WAN (Wide Area Network): Extends over a large geographical area, such as a country or continent, often connecting multiple LANs and MANs. The Internet is the largest WAN.
- PAN (Personal Area Network): A network for interconnecting devices centred on an individual person's workspace, like connecting a laptop, smartphone, and wireless keyboard.
3. What are some key applications of the Internet in daily life?
The Internet supports a wide range of applications that have become integral to modern life. Key examples include e-mail for instant communication, e-commerce for online shopping (e.g., Amazon), information retrieval using search engines like Google, online banking for financial transactions, and e-learning platforms for remote education.
4. How does the Internet differ from the World Wide Web (WWW)?
This is a common point of confusion. The Internet is the global network of computers—the physical infrastructure of routers, cables, and servers that allows devices to communicate. The World Wide Web (WWW), on the other hand, is a service that runs on the Internet. It is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet, using protocols like HTTP. Think of the Internet as the roads and the WWW as the collection of shops and houses you can visit using those roads.
5. Why are network protocols like TCP/IP essential for global communication?
Network protocols are crucial because they establish a common set of rules for data transmission. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is essential because it allows diverse devices, with different hardware and software, to communicate with each other seamlessly. It ensures that data packets are sent, routed through the network, and reassembled correctly at their destination, making global communication over the Internet reliable and possible.
6. What is the specific role of an IP address in internet networking?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address serves as a unique numerical identifier for a device on a network. Its primary role is to provide an 'address' for a device, much like a mailing address for a house. This allows network routers to direct data packets to the correct destination. Without a unique IP address, devices on the Internet would not be able to send or receive information from each other.
7. What is the key difference between a routable and a non-routable protocol?
The key difference lies in their ability to be transmitted across different networks. A routable protocol, like TCP/IP, contains network address information that allows routers to send data packets from one network to another across the Internet. A non-routable protocol, such as NetBEUI, is designed for use within a single, small network (LAN) and does not have the necessary information to be routed between different networks.
8. Beyond simple connectivity, how does a computer network enable resource sharing?
The core purpose of a computer network is to facilitate the sharing of resources to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This is enabled by allowing connected devices, known as nodes, to access and use resources hosted by other devices on the network. For example, multiple computers on an office network can share a single printer, access files from a central file server, or use a common internet connection, eliminating the need for each device to have its own dedicated peripherals.
