Internet Basics

A management-level overview of the Internet, its architecture,

capabilities, and protocols.

Copyright 2011 SPMI / Online Development

What is the The Internet? A Technical Answer

The Internet is a network of networks, reaching around the world, connecting computers of all shapes and sizes, all exchanging data through a standard called “TCP/IP”.

The shape and content of the Internet change continually, as computers and networks are added and removed.

What is the The Internet? A Functional Answer

A set of Protocols (applications), including:• Electronic Mail• Usenet Newsgroups• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)• Hypertext Transfer (The World Wide Web)• Others

Connecting to the Internet

PC

Your Access Provider(ex: Netcom, AOL)

Other Computers, most withdedicated connections.

Dial-upor directAccess

Communications

Computers communicate on the Internet using a standard technique called TCP/IP.

IP

TCP

IP

TCP

(message)

How Data Gets Around

The TCP/IP standard is used to move packets of data across the Internet.

Each packet is:• Broken down• Transmitted• Received• Re-assembled

Client- Server Architecture

PC

Server Software

Direct,SLIP,or PPPAccess

PC

ShellAccountAccess

Server Software& Client Software

Client Software(E-mail, Web, News,FTP, Gopher, Web)

SimpleComm.Package

vs.

Electronic Mail

E-mail is the exchange of free-form messages between users of computers connected to the Internet. Each user has an E-mail address.

E-mail client programs usually include store, reply, forward, delete, and file- attachment capabilities.

Electronic Mail (cont.)

E-mail is the Internet’s least common denominator, with over 40 million users having Internet E-mail access.

Many E-mail servers are only occasionally connected to the Internet, in order to collect and send messages to and from the server’s local users.

Electronic Mail - Graphic

PC

Mail Server

Other Computers

SendMessagesRead

Messages

MailReaderProgram

Mail Server Mail Server

Other Users

Other Users

Usenet News

Usenet is a very large, distributed bulletin board system, which is continuously transferred among Usenet sites across the Internet.

Usenet content is comprised of a large number of articles, posted by users, and organized by topic into Newsgroups.

Usenet News - Graphic

PC

News Server

Other Computers

Post ArticlesRead

Postings

NewsReader

News Server News Server

Other UsersOther Users

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

FTP is the tool used for downloading (and occasionally uploading) files between computers on the Internet.

FTP works with two types of files:• ASCII Files (unformatted text).• Binary Files (programs, formatted data,

pictures, sound, video).

FTP - Graphic

PC

FTP Server

Other “Archives”

Upload &DownloadFiles

Upload &DownloadFiles

FTP Client

FTP Server FTP Server

The World Wide Web

The Web is the collection of servers, documents, and links which are accessible to anyone with Internet access and a Web client browser.

The Web uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol to link Web pages from various computers together.

World Wide Web - Graphic

PC

Web Server

WebBrowser

Web Server

Web Server

Requests (Clicks)

Documents (Pages, Files)

Links

Links

“Surfing” the Web

PC WebBrowser(ex: Netscape Navigator)

Links

Web Server Web Server Web Server

PagePage Page

Page

Page

Web Page

L

L

L

How businesses use the Internet - 1

PC

Exchange E-mail with customers

and suppliers.

InternalComputer

* Product Information* Promotion Announcements* Newsletters* Order Forms* Text, Sound, Images, Video

Supplier orCustomer

How businesses use the Internet - 2

Gather product and technical information from the World Wide Web.

AcmeWidgets

Welcome to the Home pagefor the Acme Widget Company.Check out our product info andtechnical bulletins in these Webpages.

A

How businesses use the Internet - 3

Interact with potential customers through Usenet Newsgroups.

Widgets Newsgroup

Post Read

Read Post

How businesses use the Internet - 4

Distribute and collect files and software, through FTP.

File Transfer

Note: Most files have to be uncompressed after they are downloaded.

Any Internet Hostwith an FTP Server

* Internet Programs* Sound, Video* Technical Items* Formatted Text

How businesses use the Internet - 5

Promote your company and products on the WWW.

CoswellCogs

Welcome to the Home Pagefor the Coswell Cog Company.Check out our company background and new productannouncements on the next few pages.

C

Service Provider

YourWebPage(s)

Target Market

How businesses use the Internet - 6

Process transactions throughE-mail and the Web. (Advanced)

Seller Buyer

Encryption

Digital Cash

Prior Arrangement

Others

Getting Started

Review and understand the different types of Internet connections and services, and the advantages and costs of each.

Evaluate your online business requirements and objectives, considering your target audience.

Consider developing in phases.