Introduction to internet, www and Web

 

Introduction to the internet, www, and Web 

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET:

Communication is one of the most popular uses of the internet. The internet is making it easier for people to communicate with one another using computers. The most popular way of communication on the internet is electronic mail (e-mail). With e-mail topping the list of all the technologies `used, some types of communication technologies also include e-mail discussion groups, Usenet news, chat groups, and so on.

 World Wide Web ( WWW).

• Others technologies, including video and audio conferencing and internet telephony, are also available on the internet. They require more multimedia capabilities of computer systems. 

• It allows people to work collaboratively at many different locations. It supports access to digital information through many applications including the World Wide Web  (WWW).

Basics of a computer network:-

A network is a group of computers connected in some fashion to share resources. By using computer networks, the cost of data transfer can be made economical because computers can send data at a very fast speed. Thus, computers enable us to reduce both cost and time in transferring data or information. In the network, computers of different make can be connected together and users can work together in a group. Software packages have been developed for groups working in Database Management Systems (DBMS) as well as in graphical artworks.

Local Area Network (LAN):-

A local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers located in the same room, on the same floor, or in the same building that is connected to form a single computer network. LANs allow users to share storage devices, printers, applications, data, and other network resources. They are limited to a specific geographical area, usually less than one kilometer in diameter.    

Advantages of LAN:-

• Local area networks allow sharing of expensive resources, such as colored laser printers and high-capacity, high-speed mass storage devices among several users. 

• Users can access their files from any workstation.

• File can be stored on the central computer and everyone in the network can see and use data sharing. Further, if due to some problems, data is erased from one computer, then it can be easily recovered from the central computer.

The disadvantage of LAN:-

• The financial cost of local area networking is still high. If one plans to use a network to share a laser printer, he might find it cheaper to purchase another laser printer than to purchase networking hardware and software.

• Local area networking software requires memory space in each of the computers used on the network.

• Some control on the part of the user is lost. You may have to share a printer with other users. You may face a situation like, the entire network suddenly locking up because of one network.

Characteristics of LANs:-

• LANs work in a restricted geographical area.

• They operate at a relatively high speed when compared to the typical wide-area networks currently in use.

• They are private networks, not subject to tariffs or other regulatory controls.

• They use mainly bus, ring, and star topology.

Wide Area Network (WAN):-

• A Wide area network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.

• A Wide area network is quite a bigger network than the LAN. 

• A Wide area network is not limited to a single location, but it spans a large geographical area through a telephone line, fiber optic cable, or satellite links.

• The internet is one of the biggest WANs in the world.

• A Wide area network is widely used in the field of business, government, and education.

Advantages of WAN:-

• WAN covers a larger geographical area so, computers at longer distances can easily communicate.

• It allows sharing of resources and application software programs among distributed workstations.

The disadvantage of LAN:-

• Investment costs are higher.

• There are more errors and issues due to wide coverage and the use of different technologies.

Difference between LAN and WAN:-

Basics	LAN	WAN
Acronym	Local Area Network	Wide Area Network
Cost	Less costly	Costliest
Speed	Up to 10-100Mbps	256Kbps to 2Mbps
Range	1 Km	Up to 10,000 kms
Topology	Bus and Ring	ATM, Frame Relay, sonnet
Location of computers connected in the system computers	Computers are connected within the same buildings.	Computers are distributed all over the country or the continent. The connection is made via a satellite communication link or via the internet.