Study Notes on Internet and the World Wide Web

The Internet Overview

• The Internet consists of interconnected computers and servers that store and share data.
• Servers located in data centers are the backbone of online presence, hosting everything from websites to emails.

Data Centers

• Defined as secure buildings housing powerful servers and network infrastructure.
• Essential for running applications and services (websites, emails, etc.).

Key Technical Terms

• Latency: The delay between input and network response. Lower latency means faster response time.
• Bandwidth: The amount of data transmitted per second, measured in Mbps or Gbps.
• Fiber Optics: Used for high-speed telecommunications, offering long-distance data transmission with minimal loss.

Internet Speed Metrics

• Mbps (Megabits per second) vs. MBps (Megabytes per second): 1 byte = 8 bits.
• Download times can be calculated using conversion metrics.

Types of Internet Providers

• PLDT: Formerly Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, largest in the country.
• SMART and GLOBE: Major telecommunications providers in the Philippines.

Internet Growth and History

• ARPANET: Established in the 1960s for military collaboration, leading to the eventual development of the Internet.
• The WWW revolutionized the Internet, introducing hypertext technology and enabling easy navigation and information access.

Internet Challenges

• Issues like latency, jitter, and bandwidth congestion impact user experience (e.g., choppy video calls, slow streaming).
• Factors affecting internet performance include telecommunication infrastructure and government support.