INTERNET, WEB, and E-MAIL

LESSON 5

INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE

What is the Internet backbone?

The Internet backbone is a network of high-
capacity
communications links that provides the main routes
for
data traffic across the Internet. Backbone links and
routers
are maintained by network service providers (NSPs).
NSP
equipment and links are tied together by network
access
points (NAPs).

An Internet service provider (ISP) is a company that

offers
Internet access to individuals, businesses, and smaller ISPs.

How does my computer fit into the structure of the Internet?

A modem contains circuitry that converts the data
carrying signals from your computer to signals that can
travel over various communications channels. The kind of
modem you use depends on whether your ISP supplies
dial-up, cable, satellite, or DSL Internet service.
The Internet backbone includes high
speed routers and highspeed fiber-optic
links. Parts of the backbone maintained
by different communications companies
are connected at network access points
(NAPs).

Your computer can connect to the

Internet as a standalone device or part
of a LAN. Your data first travels to your
ISP, then to an NSP and out over the
Internet backbone.
How significant is TCP/IP?
TCP/IP is the primary protocol suite responsible for message transmission on the Internet. A protocol
suite is a combination of protocols that work together. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) breaks a
message or file into packets. IP (Internet Protocol) is responsible for addressing packets so that they
can be routed to their destination.

A packet is a parcel of data that is sent across a computer network. Each packet contains the
address of its sender, the destination address, a sequence number, and some data.

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How do IP addresses work on the Internet?
A computer can have a permanently assigned static IP address or a temporarily assigned dynamic
IP address. As a general rule, computers on the Internet that act as servers use static IP addresses.
Typically, ISPs, Web sites, Web hosting services, and e-mail servers that always need to be found at
the same address require static IP addresses. Most other Internet users have dynamic IP addresses.

CONNECTION SPEED

How fast is the Internet?

Data travels over the Internet at an incredible speed. The elapsed time for data to make a round
trip from point A to point B and back to point A is referred to as latency.

Can I measure speed and latency?

You can run speed tests by linking to Internet-based utilities. You can also use a local Internet utility
called Ping (Packet Internet Groper), which sends a signal to a specific Internet address and waits
for a reply. Upstream speed is the rate of data that is transmitted from your computer to the
Internet. Downstream speed is the rate of data arriving at your computer.

What are my connection options?

Fixed Internet access links your computer to an ISP from a stationary point, such as a wall socket or
roof-mounted antenna. Portable Internet access allows you to easily move your access device, as
in the case of vehicle-mounted satellite dishes that can be deployed when the vehicle is parked.
Mobile Internet access allows you to use the Internet as you are on the go, such as using a cell
phone to collect your e-mail while you are traveling by train.

WEB

One of the Internet’s most captivating attractions, the Web (short for World Wide Web) is a collection of
document, image, video, and sound files that can be linked and accessed over the Internet using a
protocol called HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

A Web site typically contains a collection of related information organized and formatted so it can be
accessed. A Web server is an Internet-based computer that accepts requests from browsers. A Web page
is the product or output of one or more Web-based files displayed in a format similar to a page in a book.
A Web browser (usually simply referred to as a browser) is client software that displays Web page elements
and handles links between pages. When using a browser, you can access a Web page by clicking a
hypertext link. Every Web page has a unique address called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

E-MAIL

An e -mail account provides access to a storage area, or mailbox, supplied by an e-mail provider, such as
an ISP. Each mailbox has a unique address, which typically consists of a user ID, an @ symbol, and the
name of the computer that maintains the mailbox.

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An e-mail message is a document that is
composed on a computer and remains in
digital, or electronic, form so that it can be
transmitted to another computer. A
message header includes the recipient’s e
mail address and message subject.

Any file that travels with an e-mail message

is called an e-mail attachment. A
conversion process called MIME (Multi
Purpose Internet Mail Extensions) provides a
clever way of disguising digital photos,
sounds, and other media as plain ASCII
code that can travel over the Internet as e
mail attachments.

When you compose an e-mail message, you can begin by entering the address of one or more recipients and the subject of
the message. You can also specify one or more files to attach to the message. The body of the e-mail message contains the
message itself. When the message is sent, your e-mail software adds the date and your e-mail address to identify you as the
sender.

NETIQUETTE

Netiquette is online jargon for Internet etiquette. It is a series of customs or guidelines for maintaining
civilized and effective communications in online discussions and e-mail exchanges.

🗹 Put a meaningful title on the subject 🗹 Use uppercase and lowercase letters.
line. 🗹 Check spelling.
 🗹 Be careful what you send. shorthand cautiously.
🗹 Be polite. 🗹 Use the Bcc function for group mailings.
🗹 Be cautious when using sarcasm and 🗹 Don’t send replies to all recipients. 🗹
humor. Don’t send huge attachments. 🗹 Explain
all attachments.
🗹 Stay alert for viruses.
E-MAIL TECHNOLOGY 🗹 Notify recipients of viruses.
🗹 Use smileys and text messaging

An e-mail system is the equipment and software that carries and manipulates e-mail messages. It includes
computers and software called e-mail servers that sort, store, and route mail. E-mail is based on store-and
forward technology—a communications method in which data that cannot be sent directly to its
destination is temporarily stored until transmission is possible.

Three types of e-mail systems are widely used today: POP, IMAP, and Web-based mail. a. POP (Post Office
Protocol) temporarily stores new messages on an e-mail server. b. IMAP (Internet Messaging
Access Protocol) is similar to POP, except that you have the option of downloading your mail or
leaving it on the server.
c. Web-based e-mail keeps your mail at a Web site, where it can be accessed using a standard
Web browser

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