Topic 39: How the Internet Works

The internet works by connecting devices using a set of rules called protocols. The two main protocols are TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol).

Here's a simple breakdown of the process:

Breaking Down Data: When you send data, like a photo or an email, TCP breaks it into smaller pieces called packets. Each packet is numbered and contains the address of where it needs to go.

Sending the Packets: IP then handles the addressing and routing. It's like the postal service for the internet. It looks at the destination address on each packet and figures out the best path for it to travel across the network of networks. These packets don't always take the same route.

Reassembling the Data: Once all the packets arrive at their destination, TCP reassembles them in the correct order to recreate the original file. If a packet gets lost or damaged along the way, TCP sends a request for it to be resent until the file is complete.

This process happens almost instantly, allowing you to browse websites, stream videos, and send messages without delay.