Module 2: Fundamentals of the World Wide Web

Topics: History, TCP/IP, HTTP, Addressing, and Domain Names

1. Learning Outcomes:

I. Describe the history and architecture of the World Wide Web.

II. Demonstrate the role of TCP/IP, HTTP, and domain names in web
communication.
III. Explain how domain names are resolved to IP addresses.

2.2 The History and Architecture of the World Wide Web

History of the World Wide Web

1. The Concept and Early Beginnings (1960s-1980s) o The foundation of the World
Wide Web (WWW) began with the development of networking technologies like ARPANET
in the late 1960s.
o The concept of hypertext, introduced by Ted Nelson in the 1960s, envisioned linking
documents for easier information retrieval.
2. The Birth of the Web (1989-1991) o In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist at
CERN, proposed a system for sharing information using hypertext and the internet.
o He developed the three fundamental technologies that underpin the Web:
 HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A language to create and structure web
pages.
 URI/URL (Uniform Resource Identifier/Locator): A unique address to locate web
resources.
 HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): A protocol for communication between
browsers and web servers.
o In 1991, the first website was launched, detailing information about the WWW project.
3. Commercialization and Growth (1990s) o In 1993, the release of the Mosaic web
browser made the Web accessible to nontechnical users, enabling multimedia content.
o Companies began to see the potential of the Web for commerce, leading to the rise of e-
commerce sites such as Amazon and eBay in the mid-1990s.
o The Web saw exponential growth with the development of web technologies like
JavaScript, CSS, and dynamic content generation.
4. The Modern Web (2000s-Present)
o The 2000s introduced Web 2.0, emphasizing user-generated content, interactivity, and
collaboration (e.g., social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube).
o Mobile devices became a primary way of accessing the Web, necessitating responsive
design and mobile-first development. o Web 3.0 (Semantic Web) began to emerge,
focusing on making content machinereadable for intelligent agents and leveraging
blockchain for decentralization.

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 o Modern trends include AI-driven personalization, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), and
advanced frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js.

Architecture of the World Wide Web

The architecture of the World Wide Web is a layered system that facilitates the interaction
between users, devices, and information through a globally distributed network.

1. Client-Server Model o The Web operates on a client-server

model:
 Client: A device (e.g., browser or app) that sends requests to the server.
 Server: A machine that stores and serves resources such as web pages, images,
and data.
2. Key Components
o Web Browsers: Software applications (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) that render web
content for users by interpreting HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
o Web Servers: Systems that store and serve web resources in response to client requests
(e.g., Apache, NGINX).
o Web Protocols:
 HTTP/HTTPS: Communication protocols for data transfer. HTTPS ensures secure
communication through encryption (SSL/TLS).
 TCP/IP: Underlying protocols for transmitting data across the internet. o
DNS (Domain Name System): Converts human-readable domain names
(e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to locate
servers.
o Web Pages and Resources: Content stored in HTML, often styled with CSS and made
interactive with JavaScript.

3. The Layered Architecture

o Application Layer:
 Includes browsers, search engines, and user-facing tools.
 Supports technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for creating and interacting
with content.
o Transport Layer:
 Manages communication between client and server using protocols like HTTP
and TCP.
o Network Layer:
 Facilitates data transmission across the internet through routers, switches, and
the IP protocol.
o Physical Layer:
 Includes the hardware (e.g., cables, fiber optics, and wireless signals) that
connects devices globally.
4. Evolution of Web Technologies

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 o The introduction of content delivery networks (CDNs) and cloud computing has
improved scalability and performance.
o Modern web applications leverage APIs and microservices for modular and flexible
development.
o Advancements in frameworks and libraries (e.g., React, Angular) enable complex,
interactive user experiences.

The World Wide Web has evolved into a critical platform for communication, commerce,
education, and entertainment. Its layered architecture, built on open standards, ensures
interoperability, scalability, and the ability to adapt to future innovations.

2.2 The Role of TCP/IP, HTTP, and Domain Names in Web Communication
Web communication is a complex process involving several key technologies working together to
enable users to interact with websites and web applications. Among these, TCP/IP, HTTP, and
domain names play crucial roles in ensuring reliable data transfer, interpreting requests, and
locating resources.

1. Role of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

Overview

TCP/IP is the foundational suite of protocols that governs communication over the internet. It
ensures data is transmitted accurately and reliably between devices across a network.

Functions in Web Communication

1. Packetization and Delivery (TCP):

o Breaks data into smaller packets for transmission.
o Ensures reliable delivery by retransmitting lost packets and reassembling them in the
correct order at the destination.
o Handles errors to ensure data integrity.
2. Addressing and Routing (IP):
o Assigns unique IP addresses to devices (e.g., servers and clients) to locate them on the
internet.
o Routes data packets through a series of intermediate devices (routers) to reach the
correct destination.

Example in Action

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 • When a user accesses a webpage, TCP/IP ensures the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files are
delivered in chunks (packets) to their browser.
• If any packets are lost during transmission, TCP retransmits them to maintain a complete and
error-free webpage.

2. Role of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

Overview

HTTP is the application-layer protocol that enables the transfer of hypertext (e.g., web pages)
between web browsers and servers.

Functions in Web Communication

1. Request-Response Model:
o Client (browser) sends an HTTP request to the server for specific resources (e.g., a
webpage or image).
o Server responds with an HTTP response containing the requested data.
2. Stateless Communication:
o HTTP is stateless, meaning each request is independent. For persistent communication
(e.g., user sessions), technologies like cookies or tokens are used.
3. Secure Communication (HTTPS):
o HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP that encrypts data using SSL/TLS, protecting
sensitive information like login credentials and credit card details.

Example in Action

• When you enter "https://www.example.com" in a browser, the browser sends an HTTP GET
request to retrieve the webpage.
• The server responds with the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, which the browser renders for the
user.

3. Role of Domain Names

Overview

Domain names are human-readable identifiers (e.g., www.example.com) that map to

machinereadable IP addresses. They make it easier for users to access resources without
memorizing numerical IP addresses.

Functions in Web Communication

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 1. Translation via DNS (Domain Name System):
o DNS resolves a domain name into its corresponding IP address. o For example,
"www.example.com" might resolve to "192.168.1.1".
2. Simplifying User Interaction:
o Domains are easier to remember and use compared to numerical IP addresses.
o They enhance the user experience by enabling branded URLs.
3. Organizing the Web:
o Domain extensions like .com, .edu, and .org provide information about the type or
purpose of the website.

Example in Action

• When a user enters a domain name into the browser, the DNS server resolves it to the server's
IP address.
• The browser then uses this IP address to establish a connection and send an HTTP request for
the desired resource.

How These Components Work Together

Scenario: Accessing a Website

1. User Action:
o The user types "www.example.com" into a browser.
2. Domain Name Resolution:
o The browser contacts a DNS server to resolve the domain name into an IP address (e.g.,
192.168.1.1).
3. TCP/IP Connection: o The browser uses the IP address to establish a connection
with the server via TCP. o TCP ensures reliable communication by managing
packetization, transmission, and reassembly.
4. HTTP Communication: o The browser sends an HTTP GET request to the server for
the webpage. o The server responds with the requested data (HTML, CSS, images,
etc.).
5. Rendering the Page:
o The browser renders the received content for the user.

Summary
• TCP/IP: Manages the reliable transmission of data between client and server.
• HTTP: Facilitates the communication of web content through a request-response model.
• Domain Names: Provide a user-friendly way to locate servers and resources on the internet.

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Together, these components enable seamless interaction between users and web resources,
forming the backbone of the World Wide Web.

The end