How does the internet work?

[Stiganator]

Are they all interconnected nodes? What is the main line connecting them? What role to servers play in the overall scheme? If I get a server connected to the main line am I part of the net? HOw can I make a REAL web page? Like yahoo etc? THank you all, sorry if this is a repost, but my computer is whack sometimes and won't download or upload right?

 

[Turkey]

Real basic-like:

Every computer "on the net" has an IP address. When a computer connects "to the net" it connects through a router, which is connected to other routers that are connected to other computers. When a computer (with an IP address) wants to connect to another computer (with an IP address), the first computer sends a packet to the router via the wire coming out the back of your PC. If the router is connected to the PC you want to connect to, it sends the packet down that wire connected to the back of its PC. If it's not connected to that router, the router makes a "best guess" of which router to send to next, then sends the packet down that wire, and so on. There is no "main line," just routers connected to other routers.

A server is a computer that has stuff you want to access (like information or music) and has a program that allows you to access it (a server program).

To make a "real" web page you need to know at least how to write HTML, and possibly ASP/PHP/JSP.

 

[spidey07]

Works just like the telephone system instead of phone numbers, there are IP addresses.

Seriously. When you "talk" to a web server what you're doing is making a phone call to that server. This is the WAY simplified explanation btw. Difference being a phone network is circuit switched and the internet is packet switched.

 

[zetter]

Why don't you check out www.hotstuffworks.com.

Do a seach for Internet from the main page and you'll get a heap of useful links.

PS, this probably shouldn't be in the "Highly Technical" section.