Internet - Connecting Dots

CHAPTER 6 

As you are reading this blog, you already have a device and internet connectivity to access these pages. But have you ever wondered how we are able to access the Internet from our mobile phones or laptops, all from the comfort of our homes?.

The journey begins when you choose and subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). This could be companies like Airtel, Jio, or others, depending on your region. 

The ISP is your gateway to the Internet— they provide you with access to their network, which is in turn connected to the broader internet infrastructure.

Why Do We Need an ISP?

• The internet is a global network of servers, cables, and data centres— but as individuals, we can’t directly connect to it.

• ISPs own or lease infrastructure (like fibre optics, satellites, cellular towers) that link your home to the internet.

How Does an ISP Work in Internet Connectivity?

• The ISP runs a physical line through Fiber Optic cable/ coaxial cable or wireless link to your location. 
• At your home, this line connects to a modem (then to Router) provided by the ISP or purchased separately. 

Bonus: A modem is an electronic device which converts Digital data to Analog signals for outgoing request signals and vice versa for incoming response signals.

• The ISP assigns you a public IP address, allowing you to be identified online.
• By default, your ISP also provide DNS service to resolve the requested domain's IP address.

So, when a user tries to access a website from their device browser, the request is sent over the internet using your ISP (Internet Service Provider). 

Know more about Browser Requests >>>

Think of your ISP like the delivery network or shipping carrier — it doesn’t hold any of the products (website content), but it moves your request through its network to reach the right destination as well as brings back the response.

 How's your connectivity? 

Have you ever wondered why the internet feels lightning-fast today, whereas in the early days, even loading a single web page felt like it took forever !

Earlier Days:

• We have been using the DSL Cable (Telephone lines) to transmit data which was very slow and easily interrupted.
• Fewer Data Centres and poorly optimised routing between countries and cities.
• Slow processor and minimal RAM in devices.
• Older HTTP/1 protocols which allows only one request per connection, which increases the load.

Now:

• We are using Coaxial Cable (electromagnetic) and Fibre Optic Cables (pulses of light) to transmit data which improves the speed and lesser signal losses.
• Massive investment in internet backbone infrastructure and More undersea cables, data centres, and local servers bring content closer to you.
• Use of CDNs to store website data cache closer to users.So, Instead of fetching data from a server in the US when you're in India, CDNs serve it from a local server, reducing delay (latency). More about CDN >>>
• Improved Protocols such as HTTP/2 (introduced Multiplexing means multiple requests in a single connection), HTTP/3.
• Modern devices has faster processor and better RAM which renders apps quickly.

Let's check a Web Chart >>> to experience the complete picture of Web.

The Web is constantly evolving and if you like to know the latest technology improvements and updates, jump on to Chapter 9 >>>