Introduction to the Internet

1
Introduction to the Internet

• Presentation for
• Master Internet VolunteerSM Program

North Dakota State University Extension Service
2
What is the Internet?

• Network of computer networks
• Millions of users
• Global

3
Uses of the Internet

• Electronic Mail (e-mail)
• The World Wide Web
• Telnet
• FTP-file transfer protocol
• IRC-Internet relay chat
• Newsgroups

4
How did the Internet begin?

• 1969 - Department of Defense creates ARPANET
• 1973 - ARPANET made first international
  connection
• 1983 - Internet becomes the common term used to
  describe the network based on TCP/IP protocols
• 1986 - A faster backbone network was created by
  the National Science Foundation (NSFNET)
• 1990 - ARPANET dissolved and sites connected to
  it were absorbed by NSFNET

5
How does the Internet Work?

• The following concepts make the Internet work
• Internet Protocols
• Client-server computing
• Internet Addressing

6
Internet Protocols

• TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
  Protocol
• Definition TCP/IP is a universal language that
  makes it possible to send information between
  computers regardless of their location or platform

7
Sample Protocols

• Email protocols MIME, SMTP, POP
• (FTP) File Transfer Protocol FTP
• Hypertext Transfer Protocols (Web)
• HTTP

8
Client Server Computing

• Servers computers that distribute data over the
  Internet. Called hosts
• Clients computers that request information from
  servers.

9
Internet Addressing

• Every computer on the Internet
• has a unique address (IP address)
• IP addresses are translated into a domain (host)
  address
• 134.129.72.1 ? ndsuext.nodak.edu

(IP Address)
(Domain Name)
10
Top level domain examples

• .com commercial businesses
• .org non-profit organizations
• .net network services
• .gov government agencies
• .edu educational institutions

11
Common Country Domains

• Appear at end of address (example
  bloomington.k12.mn.us)
• .au Australia
• .fi Finland
• .ca Canada
• .uk United Kingdom
• .us United States

12
Getting Connected

• Public Access
• Public libraries
• Other community centers
• Private Access
• Internet Service Provider
• Computer
• Modem
• Software

13
Internet Connection Types

• Direct
• connected with direct cabling
• Dial-up
• connected with modem and phone line
• SLIP/PPP connections (protocols that fool your
  computer into thinking it has a direct Internet
  connection)

14
Types of Providers

• Commercial Services
• America Online (AOL)
• Prodigy
• Internet Service Providers
• Specialize in direct Internet connection
• Full access (web, email, web pages)
• Flexibility in access software

15
Internet Access Costs

• Costs range from 2 - 3 per hour to 20 - 30
  per month.
• Long distance charges if it is not a local call.
• Travel? Consider a national ISP which will offer
  an 800 number.

16
Questions Considerations

• Local call
• Services offered
• Technical support
• Modem speeds
• Hidden costs

17
Finding an Internet Provider

• Local phone company
• Long distance carriers
• Phone book - Internet Services"
• Magazines\Advertising
• Local computer store
• "The List" at http//thelist.internet.com

18
Master Internet VolunteerSM Programwww.ext.nodak
.edu/miv/
This slide set was prepared by the University of
Minnesota Master Internet Volunteer program
leaders and is being used with their permission.