Internet
device · 1983 · Digital age
A global network of networks joined by the TCP/IP protocols.
Inventors: Vint Cerf, Bob Kahn.
What it is made of
- Computer — has part. The Internet links billions of computers.
- Router — has part. A network of routers.
- Optical fibre — has part. The backbones are optical fibre.
Principles and materials it uses
- TCP/IP — uses. Networks are joined by the TCP/IP protocols.
- Packet switching — uses. Data is sent in packets.
- Public-key cryptography — uses. HTTPS is protected by asymmetric encryption.
- Silica (sand) — is made of. The backbones are silica optical fibre.
- Copper — is made of. The last mile is copper.
Where it is used
- World Wide Web — is used in. The web runs on top of the Internet.
- Smartphone — is used in. Most of a smartphone’s functions need Internet access.
- Email — is used in. It works over the Internet.
- Cloud computing — is used in. Access over the Internet.
- Blockchain — is used in. A peer-to-peer network.
- Streaming — is used in. Transmission over a network.
- Video call — is used in. Transmission over a network.
- Internet of things — is used in. Connecting to the network.
- IRC — is used in. Internet chat.
- Instant messenger — is used in. The Internet.
- Open-source software — is used in. Collaborative development.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- ARPANET — evolved from. ARPANET switched to TCP/IP in 1983 and became the core of the Internet.
What it is a kind of
- Means of communication — is a kind of. The Internet is a means of communication.
- Satellite Internet — includes. Internet access.