Information about the internet

1. The Internet
The internet is a global packet switched network. This means that
data is broken into pieces called packets and sent through its
network by routers that send these packets to a somewhere using
IP addresses.

2. Domain names and IP
addresses
• Domain names- The Domain name is a user-friendly
label for each website which is also known as their
URL
• IP addresses- IP addresses are used by computers to
identify each other using numbers and full stops. It is
like a postcode and that every house (computer)
has a different address.
• Domain and IP addresses are linked because they
are both names for a website. The domain is the
easy name but the IP is its location name. Like a
house its domain would be its street and number
but the IP would be its postcode.

3. Data Packets and Packet
switching
• Data Packets are broken up data put in packets.
For instance it would start as one big piece of data
and is then split into packets where it is then sent
through a network to another place where it is re-made.
• Packet switching is a way of breaking files into data
packets so they can be sent across a network.
When packet switching each packet must have the
IP address of the computer it is going to, to ensure it
goes to the right place. For example it is like posting
a letter you need its postcode so that it will go to
the right place so the right person has it.

4. Function of Routers
• A router is a device which transfers data from one
network to another. Routers have the job of
forwarding data packets to their destination.
• Routers are like a post office. They are sent the letter
from a destination and then have to send the data
out to the next destination.
• Routers can perform other jobs. For example they
have to exchange protocol information across
networks and they have to filter what is coming
through the network. This helps prevent unwanted
data coming to the network.

5. Information Sources
• Slide 1- The Internet- BBC Bitesize
• Slide 2- Domain names & IP Addresses- Teach ICT
• Slide 3- Data Packets & Packet Switching- Teach ICT
• Slide 4- Function of routers- Teach ICT