The Internet

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks.
It is the largest Wide Area Network (WAN), connecting millions of devices worldwide, allowing them to communicate and share data.

World Wide Web (WWW)

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a collection of websites and resources that are accessed through the Internet.
The Internet and WWW are not the same; the WWW is one of many services available on the Internet, alongside email, file sharing, and more.

Every website has a unique IP address that computers use to locate it, but these can be difficult to remember.
A Domain Name System (DNS) translates easy-to-remember domain names (e.g., www.google.com) into their corresponding IP addresses.

When you enter a URL, the DNS server looks up the domain name to find the associated IP address.
If the DNS server doesn't know the address, it will ask other DNS servers.
Once the IP address is found, your browser can connect to the website.

Simplifies navigation: Users don't need to remember complex IP addresses.
Distributed system: DNS servers are spread globally, and they constantly update each other.
Efficiency: If a DNS server doesn't have the IP address, it can find it from another DNS server, ensuring websites are always accessible.

Hosting refers to storing files or resources (such as websites) on a remote server so they can be accessed over the Internet.
Websites are hosted on web servers. When you visit a website, your browser connects to the server hosting that site to retrieve its files.
Example: A company might host their website on a web server, allowing users to access it from anywhere by typing in the domain name.

A web server stores and delivers web pages to users when requested.
The client (such as a web browser) sends requests to the server (e.g., asking for a web page) and receives the information to display on the user's device.
Example: When you type in a URL, your browser (client) requests the web page from the server that hosts it.

The Cloud allows people to store data and run applications on remote servers, which are accessed via the Internet.
Cloud services include storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox), software (e.g., Google Docs), and processing (e.g., cloud gaming).

Flexible storage: You can increase your storage capacity as needed.
Remote access: Files and applications can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cost-effective: No need to invest in expensive hardware or IT staff.
Automatic backups: Cloud providers manage security and backups, ensuring data protection.

Internet dependency: Requires a stable internet connection to access files.
Security concerns: Trusting third parties with sensitive data can make it vulnerable to hacking.
Ongoing costs: Some cloud services require expensive subscription fees.
Data ownership: There can be concerns over who legally owns the data stored in the cloud.

A Virtual Network is a software-based network that exists within a physical network.
Multiple virtual networks can exist on the same physical infrastructure without the need for additional hardware.
Each virtual network can have its own security measures and firewalls.
Example: A school might have a virtual network for students and a separate one for staff, both running on the same physical network but kept isolated for security.

infoNote

The Internet is a vast collection of computer networks that includes services like the World Wide Web, cloud computing, and hosting.
DNS simplifies accessing websites by converting domain names into IP addresses.
Hosting allows websites to be stored and accessed from web servers.
The Cloud offers remote storage and services but comes with trade-offs in terms of security and cost.
Virtual Networks allow organizations to create separate, secure networks on the same physical infrastructure.