1.3 THE INTERNET

The internet

The internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks, not the same thing as the World Wide Web.
DNS translates human-friendly web addresses into IP addresses so browsers can reach the correct server.
Web hosting, web servers, clients and cloud services all work together to make online services available anywhere.

How a web page request works

Quick Reference

Use the lesson visuals and recap notes before you begin the activities.

Visualisation of the internet as a worldwide network

The internet

A global collection of interconnected networks.
The World Wide Web is only one service that runs on it.
Routers and backbone links move data between distant networks.

DNS and ISP diagram

Domain Name Service (DNS)

Converts a URL such as www.google.com into an IP address.
Lets users remember names instead of long numbers.
Without DNS, the browser would not know where to send its request.

Server stack

Hosting

Websites are stored on dedicated servers connected to the internet.
Hosted services aim to be reliable, secure and available 24/7.
They need stable IP addresses and support for many users at once.

Browser window icon

Web servers and clients

A client requests a service, usually through a browser or app.
A web server stores website files and responds to client requests.
The browser renders the returned HTML, CSS and JavaScript into a web page.

Desktop computer client

Client devices

Clients can be desktops, laptops, tablets or phones.
They use services provided by servers.
The user interacts with the client, which sends the request onward.

Cloud graphic representing online storage and services

The cloud

Data and programs are stored on remote servers and accessed over the internet.
Benefits include access anywhere, large storage, backup and collaboration.
Drawbacks include less control, ongoing cost and dependence on internet access.

Activity 1: Match each fact card

Drag each statement into the correct internet concept box.

0 / 12 correct

Statement cards

Activity 2: Sequence a web request

Choose the correct step number for each part of the web page request journey.

0 / 6 correct

Activity 3: Choose the best term

Read each situation and decide which internet concept is the best fit.

0 / 6 correct

Activity 4: Retrieval quiz and explain

Answer the recap questions, then explain how DNS and a web server help a browser load a page.

0 / 4 correct

1. What does DNS mainly do?

Compresses a web page before it is sent. Converts a domain name into an IP address. Stores files locally on a user's computer.

2. Which device is acting as the client when a student opens a website on a laptop?

The laptop The DNS server The hosted web server

3. Why is hosting used for websites?

So the website only works on one computer. So the website can be available, secure and reachable by many users. So DNS is no longer needed.

4. Which cloud advantage is correct?

It completely removes the need for internet access. It guarantees there are never any ongoing costs. It allows access from different devices and supports easy collaboration.

In two or three sentences, explain how a browser, DNS and a web server work together when a user enters a URL.

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