Internet Basics Chapter Notes | Computer Application: Class 10 PDF Download

Introduction

The  Internet  is a term that is widely recognized and acknowledged in today's society. It plays a vital role in the daily lives of individuals and has revolutionized communication and technology on a global scale. In the early days, computers were primarily used by large industries, but their usage has now expanded significantly. It is important to note that the creation of something as vast as the Internet could not have been accomplished by a single person. It was developed through the collective efforts of numerous researchers and programmers.

Internet: A global system of interconnected computers, using a standardised Internet Protocol suite for communication and sharing information is called the Internet

Internet

History of internet

The Internet originated in 1969 with the U.S. Department of Defense’s ARPANET, designed to connect computers for research and military use. Its growth accelerated in the 1970s with the creation of TCP/IP, a standardized communication protocol. In the 1980s, networks like BITNET expanded their reach, connecting educational institutions worldwide. The 1990s marked the Internet’s public and commercial boom, driven by the rise of the World Wide Web. Today, it’s a central part of daily life, reshaping communication, business, and information access globally.

Communication and Working on the Internet

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers that enables worldwide communication and resource sharing through various connection methods, such as cables and satellites. Communication relies on protocols, which create a unified platform for interaction.

Protocols

Address of Your Computer Over the Internet

Every device on the Internet has a unique IP address. When connected through an ISP, users receive a temporary IP address, allowing them to communicate and access resources online.

Some Networking Devices

Modem and Its Working

A modem, short for  Modulator-Demodulator, is a vital networking device that facilitates the conversion of data signals, enabling computers to send and receive information over a network. Computers store data in digital format, while transmission over telephone lines occurs in analog signals. The modem performs two primary functions:

•  Modulation:  This process involves converting digital data from a computer into analog form for transmission over communication lines.
•  Demodulation:  In this function, the modem converts incoming analog data back into digital form, making it suitable for processing by computers.

Router

A router is a networking device that plays a crucial role in connecting multiple networks. Its primary function is to direct data between these networks, enabling them to communicate with each other effectively. Routers are essential for facilitating data traffic across different network segments, ensuring efficient and organized data transmission.

Repeater

A repeater is a specific type of network device designed to amplify and extend the reach of a received signal. When a signal is received, the repeater boosts its strength and retransmits it, allowing the signal to cover a larger area. This function is particularly useful in extending the coverage of a network, ensuring that the signal reaches areas that may be far from the original source. Repeaters play a vital role in maintaining signal integrity and strength over longer distances, making them essential components in various networking scenarios.

Who Manages the Internet?

The management of the Internet involves several key organizations that play crucial roles in ensuring its smooth operation and standardization. These organizations include:

•  World Wide Web Consortium (W3C):  The W3C is the primary organization responsible for setting standards for the World Wide Web. Founded by Tim Berners-Lee at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the W3C ensures that the structure and protocols of the web are universally accessible and standardized. This helps maintain the integrity and functionality of the web for users worldwide.
•  Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF):  The IETF is dedicated to improving the Internet by standardizing protocols and technologies. This organization plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Internet by developing and promoting standards that enhance its performance and reliability.
•  Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN):  ICANN is responsible for managing the unique identifiers of the Internet, including domain names and IP addresses. This organization ensures that these identifiers are unique, secure, and globally coordinated, preventing conflicts and ensuring the seamless operation of the Internet.

Applications of the Internet

• E-mail: Enables instant communication worldwide, allowing messages to be sent in seconds.
• Social Networking: Sites like Facebook and Instagram allow people to connect, communicate, and share experiences with others worldwide.
• E-Commerce (Online Shopping): Online shopping platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, and Flipkart, allow consumers to purchase products from home.
• Entertainment: Offers various forms of entertainment, such as streaming movies, playing games, and accessing music.
• Information: The Internet provides access to information on nearly any topic, with resources from universities, banks, and global organizations.
• Business Tools: Supports online tools for business management, such as online banking and productivity applications, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for users.

Dial-up Connection: A dial-up connection connects a computer to the Internet using a public switched telephone network (PSTN). This type of connection is temporary and requires dialing a phone number to establish a connection.

Features of a Dial-up Connection:

• Ties up the telephone line: Using the Internet blocks the phone line, making it unavailable for calls.
• Low speed: Maximum speed is around 56 Kbps.
• Limited connectivity: The Internet connection is not continuous and must be dialed each time.
• Good availability: Only requires a standard telephone line, with no additional infrastructure needed.
• Not suitable for high-speed activities: Lacks the speed necessary for online gaming or video chat.

Broadband Connection

High-speed Internet that combines "broad" and "bandwidth," delivering speeds of 512 Kbps or more, allowing faster page loading than dial-up.

Features of a Broadband Connection:

• High-speed data transfer: Supports large data volumes quickly.
• Faster than dial-up: Delivers much higher speeds.
• Continuous connection: Stays connected without needing to redial, with no extra charges.
• Simultaneous phone use: Allows phone calls during Internet use.
• Lower running costs: More economical for regular users than dial-up.
• Flexible plans: Options tailored for continuous users and businesses.
  Types of Broadband Connection

Wireless Connection

Data transfer using Wi-Fi signals (radio frequency waves), requiring no physical cables. Devices need a wireless adapter to connect to Wi-fi.

Advantages of Wireless Connection:

• Access: Simplifies device mobility; devices can connect anywhere within the Wi-Fi range.
• Tidiness: Reduces cable clutter; supports shared access to printers and other devices.
• Easier upgrading: Adding new devices is simpler and more affordable than in wired networks.
• Connect on the go: Laptops with data cards can access the Internet while traveling, enhancing mobility.

Connecting Your PC to the Internet (Using Broadband)

Requirements:

• ISP subscription
• Modem (DSL or similar)
• Ethernet/phone cables
• Installation/PC suite disc (if needed)
  Connecting PC to the Internet

Steps:

1. Plug the modem into an electrical outlet.
2. Connect the phone line: Plug one end of the phone cable into the WAN port on the modem and the other end into the wall jack (no DSL filter for DSL users).
3. Connect the modem to the computer: Use an Ethernet cable to connect the modem’s LAN port to the computer (skip this step for wireless).
4. Open the Connect to the Internet wizard: Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Set up a connection or network.
5. Follow the instructions to complete the setup.

Some Important Internet Terminologies

WWW

World Wide Web is a set of programs, standards, and protocols that allows multimedia and hypertext files to be created, displayed, and linked on the Internet. It was proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991.

The Internet is the physical network of computers all over the world. The World Wide Web is a virtual network of websites connected by hyperlinks (or “links”). Websites are stored on servers on the Internet, so the World Wide Web is a part of the internet.

Web Server

A web server is a computer that stores websites on the Internet and delivers web pages to viewers upon request.

Website

A website is a collection of web pages belonging to a particular person or organization. The first page is called the homepage. From the homepage, we can visit all pages on the site. Static websites have pre-stored information while dynamic websites customise themselves frequently.

Web browser

A web browser is a piece of software that enables the user to access web pages and web apps on the internet. There are a range of browsers available, and they are usually free to download and install.

Some popular web browsers are:

Web address

The web address allows us to identify a computer on the network. There are two systems used for identification:

• Domain Name System (DNS): A domain name is a readable computer address that identifies the location of a computer on the internet.
• Internet Protocol Addressing: A unique 32-bit address is assigned to each computer that is connected to the internet.
  Example: 5.230.50.50  ===  www.abc.com

HTML is a computer language devised to allow website creation.
Email address: It is a unique identifier used to send and receive mail in an electronic format.
Newsgroups are similar to e-mails except that instead of sending our message to someone’s mailbox, the message is posted on a bulletin board where anyone can read it and respond.
A blog is a type of website usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of news on a particular subject, description of events, graphics or videos.
Using a newsgroup, people can share their views on any topic according to their interests. Blogs are virtual diaries created by individuals and stored on the Internet.

Know the Terms

• Hypertext: Text linked together in a complex web of associations in which the user can browse through related topics.
• Modem: A device that allows a computer to transmit information over a telephone line.
• Packet: A block of data transmitted.

• Uploading: Uploading is the transmission of data or files from a local computer to a remote computer.
• Downloading: Downloading is transmitting data or file from a remote computer to a local computer.
• ARPANET: Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
• NSF: National Science Foundation
• ISP: Internet Service Provider
• HTML: Hypertext Markup Language
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator
• DNS: Domain Name System