What is the internet? A complete overview

The word Internet is familiar to almost everyone because it shows up in so many parts of life. Yet this seemingly simple idea is not well understood by many. Do you really understand the role the Internet plays in life today? Let's find out what the Internet iswith a summary of the key facts in the article below.

What does the term Internet mean?

The Internet is, simply put, a global system that lets every device in the network network connect with every other. These devices form a wide network of countless linked computers. In practice, the Internet works as a system that carries information by connecting and relaying data.

The system consists of a huge number of computers and Internet-connected devices belonging to individuals and organizations, closely linked together. It combines electronic technology with fiber-optic cable and wireless networks, and it is laid out across the world so that anyone who needs it can get online.

The Internet plays an important role in daily life. It provides important resources and useful services for users who want to access information. One of its biggest strengths is its enormous storage capacity. Using links closely linked hypertext, the Internet creates a vast repository that any device connected to the network can access.

Internet infrastructure

Devices that can route, switch or handle multiple services together form the network infrastructure. This system creates and maintains connections and keeps the network running stably. Common network types are LAN, WAN and MAN. Internet infrastructure is very important to organizations and businesses that want to use it.

To use the network smoothly, quickly and at high speed, you need to invest in genuinely good network infrastructure. Conversely, if the network is not built with care, outages are likely. A poorly performing network also brings risk and cost to a business, and generally hurts organizations and companies.

Common ways to access the Internet

There are several ways to get online quickly and effectively, each with its own pros and cons. When you connect your computer to the Internet, the speed depends on the connection method, and also on the needs and conditions of the user.

Internet access over a leased line

With a leased line, computers connect directly to a carrier through a dedicated line. The carriers are telecommunications companies that serve users.

With this method, you get a permanent connection, so you can go online at any time. You pay for Internet access by the month, regardless of how much data you use. This makes it more expensive, because you pay a subscription rather than by data volume. It is the method most online service providers use today.

Dial-up over the telephone network

The second most common method is dial-up over your telephone line. To connect this way, the user needs a suitable telephone line and a modem. The connection runs in sequence: the user's computer connects to the modem, and the modem connects to the phone line.

This service is also offered by telecommunications providers. When a user signs up, the provider creates an account for access and gives them the phone number to dial. It is not a permanent connection.

When using the service, the customer dials the phone number the provider supplied, and signs in with the account's username and password. The advantages of this method are its low price, convenience for individuals and easy installation.

Internet access over ADSL

ADSL is relatively new but has its own strengths and quickly became popular. It is an asymmetric access technology: the download speed is faster than the upload speed. That suits Internet use, because in practice users download far more information than they upload.

Customers can sign up for this service on their existing telephone line, with no new wiring needed. You need an ADSL modem: the customer's computer connects to the ADSL modem, which connects to the registered service line.

An ADSL connection is always on. Users pay according to usage rather than a flat subscription, and the fee depends on how much data they download or upload.

Types of Internet service providers

Users cannot use the Internet directly; they have to go through network service providers. The main types of provider today are as follows.

ISP

An ISP, or Internet Service Provider, is a network service provider well known in telecommunications. Users are given access to the network and to services such as email, FTP, web, Telnet and chat. Once you sign up with a provider like this, you can access and use these services quickly.

An ISP is a provider that gets its gateway through an IAP. In Vietnam, 18 ISPs are currently registered to provide services. The major ones include FPT Telecom, VNPT (Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group) and Viettel (Military Telecommunications Group).

IAP

An IAP, or Internet Access Provider, is also a common provider of network access lines. It is also known as an IXP (Internet Exchange Provider). An IAP gives users the means to reach the huge stores of information online. In other words, the IAP connects users directly to the network.

An IAP can perform the functions of an ISP, but not the other way around. As noted above, an IAP acts like a gateway that can serve many different ISPs. Vietnam currently has 7 IAPs: FPT, Viettel, VNPT, ETC, VTC, SPT and HANOITELECOM.

ICP

An ICP, or Internet Content Provider, supplies online information content. ICPs provide useful information to users. The information is updated regularly and posted online on topics such as economics, education, the military, politics and sports.

OSP

An OSP, or Online Service Provider, supplies network application services built on Internet applications. Examples include consulting, training, online shopping and banking.

Dedicated ISPs

A dedicated ISP gives users full access to Internet services. Unlike an ordinary ISP, a dedicated ISP does not provide network services for business purposes. It serves study and research, and its users are typically government agencies, research institutes and schools.

Common Internet services today

The Internet offers not only a huge store of information but also many useful services. Common ones today include:

• Getting information from websites: Lets users open and view content on website quickly from any connected device. Users can use a computer, phone, iPad and so on to access
• Finding information quickly and effectively: The huge amount of information online lets users learn a great deal. Search sites like Google or information directories help them find what they need quickly.
• Email makes it easy to exchange information: A widely used service in both businesses and personal life.
• Online meetings: With the Internet you can hold online meetings remotely. As long as people are online, they can join quickly and exchange information easily.
• Connection and entertainment: A way to relax and have fun with online games, music, social media or movies.

The Internet matters a great deal in life. Being online connects you with plenty of information and many friends, which helps you build knowledge and keep up social relationships. This article has explained what the Internet is? It has also gathered general information about the Internet. We hope that after reading the article from MONA Media, you have a better overview and a clearer view of how important the Internet is in daily life.

See also:

• What is IoT? What benefits does the Internet of Things bring?
• About ICANN, the organization that oversees domain names