Internet is a short-form for “Interconnected Network”.

Internet can be referred to as a massive network of networks; a networking infrastructure.

It connects millions of computers globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer, as long as they both are connected to the Internet.


These interconnected computer systems work by sending data by way of a particular form of packet switching which is known as the IP or Internet Protocol.

The internet uses TCP/IP to transmit data via various types of media.


The internet is a network of global exchanges – including private, public, business, academic, and government networks connected by guided, wireless and fibre-optic technologies.


History of Internet:


In 1969, the Department of Defence of the United States of America started a project to allow Research and Military personnel to communicate with each other in emergency. This project was called “ARPANET” (Advanced Research Projects Administration Network). It was the foundation of Internet.

ARPANET adopted TCP/IP on January 1, 1983, forming the modern internet.


Throughout the 1970s, the process of developing internet was in progress and was mainly used for military and research projects.

In 1970s, Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf developed the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

In 1990s, World Wide Web (WWW) was introduced and internet reached the computers of ordinary people for educational and domestic purposes.


Tim Berner Lee invented WWW, commonly pronounced as Web.

Web is the most common means of accessing data online in the form of data websites and hyperlinks. The web helped popularise the internet among the public, and served as a crucial step in developing the vast trove of information that most of us now access on a daily basis.


Today, internet is not owned by any one entity. This World Wide Network allows the people to communicate and exchange information in new ways.


Applications of Internet:

The Internet supports diverse applications, including communication (email, chat, video calls), information access (web browsing, online research), e-commerce (online shopping, banking), entertainment (streaming media, online gaming), and social networking. It also enables education, allowing for online courses and access to educational resources, as well as applications in health and medicine for remote monitoring and information access. 


1. Communication –

  1. Email: Sending and receiving messages between users globally.
  2. Chat and Voice Communication: Real-time messaging and voice calls, including internet telephony.
  3. Video Conferencing: Communicating with multiple people using voice and video streams simultaneously.


2. Information and Research –

  1. Web Browsing: Accessing vast amounts of linked information, documents, and resources through the World Wide Web.
  2. Online Search: Using search engines to quickly find relevant information on any topic.
  3. File Transfer: Copying and accessing files and programs on remote computers.


3. E-Commerce and Finance –

  1. Online Shopping: Purchasing products and services from various retailers online.
  2. Online Banking: Managing bank accounts, making payments, and conducting financial transactions over the internet.


4. Entertainment –

  1. Streaming Media: Accessing and watching videos and listening to music online.
  2. Online Gaming: Playing interactive video games with other users.


5. Social Networking –

  1. Social Media Platforms: Connecting with others, sharing updates, and forming online communities.


6. Education and Health –

  1. Online Learning: Accessing educational materials, taking online courses, and participating in virtual classrooms.
  2. Health Information and Services: Obtaining health information, accessing telemedicine services, and using wearable devices for fitness and health monitoring.


7. Other Applications –

  1. Job Search: Finding and applying for job opportunities online.
  2. Travel: Planning and booking trips, finding travel information, and using navigation services.
  3. Smart Devices: Internet-connected devices in homes, cities, and industries, such as smart grids and smart homes.


Services of Internet:

Services of Internet are as follows: -


1. Communication –

  1. Email is the most important service available on Internet for communication.
  2. The concept of sending electronic text messages between parties in a way analogous to mailing letters or memos predates the creation of internet.
  3. Pictures, documents, and other files are sent as email attachments.
  4. Emails can be cc-ed to multiple email addresses.


2. Internet Telephony –

  1. It is another common communication service made possible by the creation of internet.
  2. VOIP stands for Voice-Over-Internet Protocol, referring to protocol that underlines all internet communication.


3. Data Transfer –

  1. File sharing is an example of transferring large amounts of data across the internet.
  2. A computer file can be emailed to customers, colleagues, and fiends as an attachment.
  3. It can be uploaded to a website or FTP server for easy download by others.
  4. Some examples of file sharing are: FTP, TELNET (Remote Computing).


4. Information –

  1. Internet and WWW terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings.
  2. WWW is a global connection of documents, images and resources interconnected by hyperlinks and URLs.
  3.  HTTP is the primary protocol for accessing the WWW, but there are numerous other communication protocols over the internet.
  4. Internet is a vast network that connects heterogeneous computer networks globally.
  5. These networks exchange information using common standards and protocol.


Telnet or Remote Computing:


Telnet or remote computing is telecommunication utility software, which uses available telecommunication facility and allows us to become a user on a remote computer. Once we gain access to remote computer, we can use it for the intended purpose.


The telnet works in a very step by step procedure. The commands typed on the client computer are then sent to the local Internet Service Provider (ISP), and then from ISP to the to the remote computer that we gained access to.


Most of the ISP provides facility to Telnet into own account from another city and check our email while we travelling or away on business.


The following steps are required for a Telnet session: -

  1. Startup the Telnet program.
  2. Give the Telnet program an address to connect.
  3. Make note of what the “escape character” is.
  4. Log into the remote computer.
  5. Set the “terminal emulation.”
  6. Play around the remote computer.
  7. Quit.


Types of Internet Connection:


1. Dial-Up Connection –

Dial-up connections uses a standard modem and traditional telephone lines. The maximum speed of dial-up connection is usually 40-50 kbps. Dial-up is convenient because it is available to any location with a phone.


2. Direct Connection –

Direct connection uses a special Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) that can carry more data, more than 50kbps. Users can connect internet through router or modem.

For example: Broadband.


3. Dedicated Connection –

A dedicated connection is a private, direct, and exclusive data link between a single user or organization and a network or service, providing guaranteed, unshared bandwidth and consistent performance. Unlike shared connections like standard cable or DSL, a dedicated connection offers high-speed, symmetric upload and download speeds, enhanced reliability through Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and is essential for businesses with demanding applications such as VoIP, cloud services, video conferencing, and data backup.