How the Internet Works

Internet Basics

How the Internet Works

How the Internet works

The Internet is essentially a very large network of computers that can communicate with one another based upon pre-defined protocols. These protocols allow requests for information or data to be routed from one computer to another. For most people, this most likely takes shape in the form of either the World Wide Web (WWW) or Email. Sometime the Internet is confused as solely being the Web, but this is incorrect. In fact, the World Wide Web is one of the protocols available via the Internet.

Some popular protocols are:

  1. World Wide Web (WWW)
    • HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) – port 80
  2. Email
    • Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) – port 25
    • Post Office Protocol (POP3) – port 110
    • Interactive Mail Access Protocol (IMAP) – port 220
  3. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) – port 21
  4. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) – port 143
  5. Secure Shell (SSH) – port 22
  6. Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) – port 119

Each of these protocols operates under a specific port that allows each computer that is requesting information to receive it from the host computer without ambiguity. In this way, one computer (commonly called a server) can host several Internet protocols without confusing which piece of information is being requested. For example, servers may host both a website (port 80) and FTP (port 21) while only requiring one Internet Protocol (IP) address. Therefore all traffic is routed to one server with each specifying the port on which the response is expected.

Domain Name

Domain names are the common way in which we request information. We type http://www.mydomain.com into a browser and expect a webpage. Or, we send email to info@mydomain.com and expect it to show up in an email client. The domain name is a unique identifier for your organization and is usually mapped to one server.

Domain Registrar

DNS Request

DNS Request

The domain registrar is a company that provides registration of your unique domain to the Internet. In essence, it is a listing of all domains (WHOIS listing) that are available on the Internet. Each registrar deposits the information into a central repository in order to guarantee that no two organizations can have the same name. Often, the registrar will offer this service for at least one (1) or more years. The prices vary with each registrar. In addition, they may also provide services related to your domain such as web hosting, email, Domain Name Servers (DNS) and even website templates.

The domain registrar will also offer access to Internet root servers (which manage the entire Internet) and the WHOIS database of domain names. This access will allow to perform several functions:

  1. Search and find out if the domain you desire is still available
  2. Identify who is the owner of a particular domain (sometimes you can only find basic information)
  3. When your domain is set to expire

Participation in the WHOIS database is mandatory for all domains. However, each registrar may offer you a opportunity to shield certain information from public view. This often includes your address and email address.