How Does the Internet Work?

How the internet works is a little complicated. The video below will try to summarize how your computer/tablet/smart phone talks to or retrieves information from another computer. NOTE:  In the video below, the "wrapped candy" analogy is incorrect. But the rest is a pretty good basic explanation. The next page shows a detailed graphic about how information is packaged and moved around the internet. 

Some Terms:

DSL - one of the ways you can access the internet. CenturyLink generally uses DSL unless they have upgraded in your area. It isn't as fast as cable (Comcast). But faster than the old dial up services that used a modem. Cell phones use mobile methods. Satellite access is available and has broad coverage (you just have to be able to connect to a satellite); however, it is expensive. 

Client - that would be your computer or a device that doesn't directly link to the "internet"

Server - a computer that connects directly to the "internet" or network

Web pages - files that are stored on a server - the stuff you want to find

IP address - every thing that is directly or indirectly connected to the internet has a unique Internet Protocol Address made up of four sets of numbers separated by periods, Since it is difficult for us to remember numbers, many of the servers we access are given nicknames so we can remember the name instead of the four number IP address. When we go to google.com, the request is sent to a server that looks up google.com in a big database and gets its four number IP address. 

ISP - internet service provider - the company you use to access the internet. Since you do not directly connect to the internet, the ISP gives you access (generally for a fee). 

AOL - a really old internet provider. It is still around,but does not have as many subscribers now. If you meet someone with an AOL email address, you can generally assume they have been using computers for a decade or two. 

Packets - how the information is broken up to send back and forth over the internet

Routers - equipment that connects the different devices that make up the internet. Whenever two items intersect, there is a router to help keep your packets going to the right place.

Look at the quiz questions and then view the video. Don't forget that you can pause the video and "rewind" by dragging the slider, Be sure to hit the Submit button when you are done with the quiz. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_LPdttKXPc