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| In the general sense, an internet (with a lowercase "i") is a ] that connects several other networks. The art of connecting networks in this way is called ]. See also the related terms ] and ]. As a ], the '''Internet''' is the world-wide, interconnected system of computers (plus the information and services they provide and their users) that uses the TCP/IP suite of ]. Thus, the largest internet in the world is called simply "the" Internet. | In the general sense, an internet (with a lowercase "i") is a ] that connects several other networks. The art of connecting networks in this way is called ]. See also the related terms ] and ]. As a ], the '''Internet''' is the world-wide, interconnected system of computers (plus the information and services they provide and their users) that uses the ] suite of ]. Thus, the largest internet in the world is called simply "the" Internet. | ||
| The core networks forming the Internet started out in ] as the ] devised by the ] Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (]). | The core networks forming the Internet started out in ] as the ] devised by the ] Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (]). | ||
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| The Internet is held together by bi- or multilateral commercial contracts (for example ]s) and by technical specifications or ]s that describe how to exchange data over the network. These protocols are formed by discussion within the Internet Engineering Task Force (]) and its working groups, which are open to public participation and review. These committees produce documents that are known as Requests For Comments (]s). Some RFCs are raised to the status of ] by the Internet Architecture Board (]). | The Internet is held together by bi- or multilateral commercial contracts (for example ]s) and by technical specifications or ]s that describe how to exchange data over the network. These protocols are formed by discussion within the Internet Engineering Task Force (]) and its working groups, which are open to public participation and review. These committees produce documents that are known as Requests For Comments (]s). Some RFCs are raised to the status of ] by the Internet Architecture Board (]). | ||
| Some of the most used protocols are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. | Some of the most used protocols are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. | ||
| Some of the popular services on the Internet that make use of these protocols are ], ] newsgroups, ], the ], ], ] (which is growing in popularity as a secure replacement for ]), ], ], ], ]s, and ]s. Of these, e-mail and the World Wide Web are clearly the most used, and many other services are built upon them, such as ]s and ]s. The internet makes it possible to provide real-time services such as ] and ] that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. | Some of the popular services on the Internet that make use of these protocols are ], ] newsgroups, ], the ], ], ] (which is growing in popularity as a secure replacement for ]), ], ], ], ]s, and ]s. Of these, e-mail and the World Wide Web are clearly the most used, and many other services are built upon them, such as ]s and ]s. The internet makes it possible to provide real-time services such as ] and ] that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. | ||
Revision as of 12:28, 3 July 2002
In the general sense, an internet (with a lowercase "i") is a computer network that connects several other networks. The art of connecting networks in this way is called internetworking. See also the related terms intranet and extranet. As a proper noun, the Internet is the world-wide, interconnected system of computers (plus the information and services they provide and their users) that uses the TCP/IP suite of protocols. Thus, the largest internet in the world is called simply "the" Internet.
The core networks forming the Internet started out in 1969 as the ARPANET devised by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). An important step in the development was the National Science Foundation's (NSF) building of a university backbone, the NSFnet, in 1986. Important alien networks that have successfully been accommodated within the Internet include Usenet, Fidonet, and Bitnet. See History of the Internet.
During the 1990s, the Internet successfully accommodated the majority of previously existing computer networks. This growth is often attributed to the lack of central administration, which allows organic growth of the network, as well as the non-proprietary nature of the internet protocols, which encourages vendor interoperability and prevents one company from exerting control over the network.
The Internet is held together by bi- or multilateral commercial contracts (for example ]s) and by technical specifications or protocols that describe how to exchange data over the network. These protocols are formed by discussion within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and its working groups, which are open to public participation and review. These committees produce documents that are known as Requests For Comments (RFCs). Some RFCs are raised to the status of Internet Standard by the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). Some of the most used protocols are TCP/IP, UDP, PPP, SLIP, ICMP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, LDAP, and SSL.
Some of the popular services on the Internet that make use of these protocols are e-mail, Usenet newsgroups, FTP, the World Wide Web, Gopher, SSH (which is growing in popularity as a secure replacement for telnet), WAIS, finger, IRC, MUDs, and MUSHs. Of these, e-mail and the World Wide Web are clearly the most used, and many other services are built upon them, such as mailing lists and web logs. The internet makes it possible to provide real-time services such as web radio and webcasts that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Some other popular services of the Internet were not created this way, but were originally based on proprietary systems. These include ICQ, AIM, CDDB, and Gnutella.
The Internet has a large and growing number of users that have created a distinct culture. See Netiquette, Internet friendship, Internet romance, Trolls and trolling, Flaming, Cybering, Hacktivism, Internet humor, Internet slang, Internet in art, PSTN.
The most used language for communications in the Internet is English, due to the Internet's origins and to its use in software programming. The net has grown enough in recent years, though, that sufficient native-language content for a worthwhile experience is available in most developed countries.