1. How Does Data Travel the Internet?
Presented by:
Dixie Fjeld
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

2. Starting the Data Travel
To understand – compare this journey to an interstate car trip.
A personal computer is connected to either a LAN (local area network) or by a modem connected through a phone, cable, or DSL to a network.
The browser – asks the web server to retrieve information and sent it back to the browser.
Netscape Navigator
Windows Internet Explorer
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

3. Process of Data Travel
Once connected on your network, your computer will make a connection to another network.
If distance is far enough, your LAN may need to go through a router.
Router – a device that connects networks, which is a switching device that routes Internet messages to their destination.
Purpose of a router – determines available connections and chooses best path for travel to continue.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

4. Continued Travels
Some networks might be grouped into a mid-level network called a WAN (wide area network).
A WAN covers a large geographic area and can make connections through orbiting satellites.
Router may also send information directly by using high-speed phone lines, fiber-optic connections, or microwave links.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

5. Traveling Continues
As the request passes from network to network, a set of protocols creates packets.
Protocols are the rules or standards that define how the Internet works.
Packets contain the data itself as well as the addresses, error checking, and other information needed to make sure the request arrives intact at the destination. Each message or file is disassembled and placed into packets for routing over the Internet.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

6. Travels Continuing
If destination isn’t on the same WAN as your host network, the router sends the request to a network access point (NAP)
NAP – (network access point) where regional backbones connect to national backbone networks (like the freeway on-ramp)
Backbones – a collection of networks that link extremely powerful supercomputers (like the freeway)
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

7. Still Traveling - Getting Slower
Through the process, your request might pass through repeaters, hubs, bridges, and gateways.
Repeaters – amplify or refresh the stream of data, which deteriorates the farther it travels from your PC. These allow the data signals to reach more remote PCs.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

8. Getting Tired of Traveling–Help!
Hubs – in a LAN, a hub connects several workstations and enables them to exchange data.
Bridges – link LANs so that data from one network can pass through another network on its way to other LANs.
Gateways – they translate data between one type of network and another.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

9. Final Destination
When the request reaches its destination, the packets of data, addresses, and error-corrections are read. The remote computer then takes the appropriate action, such as running a program, sending data back to your PC, or posting a message on the Internet.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

10. Data Travel Over the Internet
A router – determines the best path to get the request moving on the right track
Protocols - rules
WAN – covers a large geographic location and can incorporate connections through orbiting satellites.
Repeaters – amplify and refresh data
Hubs – link groups of networks that all can talk to any other networks
Packets – contain the data itself as well as addresses, error checking, and other info needed to make sure the request arrives intact at the destination.
LAN – Local Area Network – connects to other networks
Bridges – link LANS so data can pass from network to network
NAP- regional backbones connect - supercomputers
Gateways – similar to bridges – translate data between one type of network and another e.g.: Intel based to a Unix system.
You at your computer
When the request reaches its destination, the packets of data, addresses, and error-correction are read and then sends the data back to your PC.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

11. Sources of Information
(2002).
Pfaffenberger, Bryan.(2004). Computers in your Future. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Long, Larry and Long, Nancy. (2004) Computers – Information Technology in Perspective. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld

12. Summary: There is more to sending a message or researching information than you thought!
Thanks!
11/7/2018
Dixie Fjeld