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What is the internet?

Giant network of computers 540

The internet is a global network of computers.

All the computers that are connected to the internet can share information.

It is the biggest computer network in the world. It is sometimes referred to as a network of networks.

Giant network of computers 540
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Watch: How the internet works

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What are the main parts of the internet?

So that we can happily view our favourite on the internet, we need these main parts.

  • - These contain and share information like where websites are located and the data that makes up webpages.
  • - These are the devices that you use to view webpages.
  • - These allow information to travel between the different devices connected to the internet.
  • - These make sure that the information goes to the right place on the internet.
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What happens when information is requested?

You visit a new webpage when you click on a , download an image or type in a .

This sends a message from your computer to a server. It asks for a copy of the webpage.

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How is the information transferred?

The information is too big to send in one go, so it is split up into smaller parts.

These are called data packets.

Routers make sure that all the data packets are sent to the right computer.

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How is the information reordered?

The data packets are all given a number before they are sent.

The computer uses these numbers to put the information back together in the right order.

Then, the web browser displays the webpage to you.

This process happens every time you request new information on the internet. What do you think takes longer?

  • The time it takes for the webpage to be sent
  • The time it takes to type in a webpage's URL

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Activities

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Computing - Dance Mat Typing. game

Build and test your computing skills with different levels of touch type challenges

Computing - Dance Mat Typing
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