After extensively studying how the Internet functions, I have reached a point where providers have become an obstacle, as I cannot comprehend their purpose beyond having their own servers.



To give you an idea of my current knowledge on the subject, at a physical level, information originates from a computer and is converted into data by a network card for transmission through a network cable to an antenna on the roof. However, I am unsure why the information cannot be sent directly to another computer through another antenna or satellite.

At a software level, information is generated by a user and transmitted through a client program or browser to a server specified by its IP or domain name. Again, I struggle to understand why we cannot transfer information directly to another computer without intermediary servers.

Additionally, I am keen to understand the term "Internet access" and the physics behind it. I appreciate any assistance in clarifying these concepts, and while I may have used an antenna on the roof as the most popular method of accessing the Internet, I understand there are alternative methods, such as modems or phones with a modem-like function. A simplified explanation would be helpful.

A provider is an organization that offers services, such as Internet access in your case.
At a physical level, you need to connect to the network somehow. I'm not sure what's confusing you.

Just to clarify, wires are commonly used for Internet access, typically a twisted pair at the entrance, followed by fiber. It's unclear where you got the idea of antennas on the roof.

Information isn't transferred directly from computer to computer because, in most cases, we have a floating IP within the provider's IP group.
Internet access requires a provider since it combines hardware and software into a single network. Separately, they don't form a computer network.

Antennas on roofs and towers belong to cellular operators who offer mobile communication and Internet access. They receive and transmit information to and from mobile devices, after which everything goes through wires.

Providers are responsible for paying for traffic and building their own data towers with specialized equipment.
You're correct in stating that satellite Internet is expensive. As for connecting in your apartment, there shouldn't be any obstacles.

Regarding radios, it's important to understand the different frequencies and channels available.

The Internet's hardware comprises of cables, routers, and networks that allow for the transmission of data. The cables consist of fiber optic wiring that can connect different networks to each other, except in Antarctica. Routers play a vital role in forwarding data between access points and choosing the best possible route in cases where many computers are trying to exchange information simultaneously.

All devices connected to the Internet use local networks to access it, and outside those networks, they require support from an Internet service provider (ISP). These providers come in three levels, with regional services being offered by third-tier companies that buy connections from second-tier providers. Second-tier providers own the network equipment and buy transit from first-tier ISPs that are equipped with intercontinental cables.

Internet traffic exchange points (IXPs) help establish faster peering between ISPs and shorten data transmission paths. The actual path that data follows is determined by the location of the recipient and commercial agreements between ISPs.

Digital information travels on the web through a complex series of steps. When you access a website or send data, like an email or a file, there are several key players involved: your device, the internet service provider (ISP), routers, servers, and the destination device.

When you request to access a website or send data, your device connects to your ISP. The ISP acts as a gateway to the internet, allowing your device to communicate with other devices on the web. Your request is then broken down into small packets of data.

These packets travel through a network of routers, which act as traffic directors, guiding the packets towards their destination. Each router examines the packet's address and determines the most efficient path for it to take based on the available network connections. Routers use routing protocols to exchange information about the best paths to other routers.

Once the packets reach their destination network, they are directed to the appropriate server. Servers store and process data, responding to requests from clients (like your device) by sending back the requested information.

The response from the server is broken down into packets again and travels back through the network of routers, eventually reaching your ISP. Finally, the data is sent back to your device, where it is reassembled and displayed in a readable format, such as a webpage or an email.

Throughout this entire process, digital information is typically transmitted over various networking protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). These protocols ensure reliable and efficient transmission by handling issues like packet loss, retransmission, and data integrity.

It's important to note that encryption also plays a significant role in securing digital information as it travels on the web. Encryption protocols, such as HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), protect sensitive data from being intercepted and accessed by unauthorized parties.

points to consider about how digital information travels on the web:

1. Domain Name System (DNS): Before data can be transmitted, your device needs to translate a website's domain name into an IP address. This is done through the DNS system, which acts as a phone book for the internet. It associates domain names with their corresponding IP addresses, allowing your device to locate the correct server.

2. Transmission Speed: The speed at which data travels on the web depends on various factors, including network congestion, bandwidth availability, and the quality of network connections. Faster speeds can be achieved through technologies like fiber optic cables, which have higher data transfer capacities compared to traditional copper cables.

3. Peering: ISPs often establish peering agreements to exchange traffic directly with each other, reducing the need for data to travel through multiple networks. This can improve the speed and efficiency of data transmission, especially for commonly accessed content.

4. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): CDNs are distributed networks of servers located around the world. By placing copies of frequently accessed content closer to users, CDNs reduce latency and improve download speeds. When you access a website, a CDN may serve the content from a server that is geographically closer to you, resulting in faster access.

5. Packet Loss and Reassembly: During transmission, packets of data may occasionally be lost or delayed. To ensure data integrity, protocols like TCP break down the data into smaller packets, assign sequence numbers to each packet, and include checksums for error detection. If a packet is lost or damaged, the recipient can request retransmission of only the affected packets.

6. Traceroute: Traceroute is a diagnostic tool that helps map the path taken by packets of data from your device to a destination server. It shows the IP addresses of routers and the time it takes for packets to travel between them. Traceroute can be used to identify network issues and determine where delays or disruptions are occurring.

7. Caching: Caching is a technique used to temporarily store copies of web content closer to the user. When you access a website, certain elements like images, scripts, or videos may be cached on your device or in intermediary servers. This allows subsequent requests for the same content to be retrieved more quickly, reducing the load on the network and improving the overall performance.

8. Bandwidth Limitations: The speed at which data can be transmitted is often limited by the bandwidth available. Bandwidth refers to the capacity of a network connection to carry data. Higher bandwidth allows for faster data transfer rates, while limited bandwidth can result in slower speeds, especially when multiple users are sharing the same connection or during peak usage times.

9. Protocols and Standards: Various protocols and standards govern how data is transmitted on the web. For example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is commonly used for accessing websites, while SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails. These protocols define the rules and formats for data exchange, ensuring compatibility between different systems and devices.

10. Network Latency: Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another on the network. It can be affected by factors such as distance, network congestion, and the processing time at each network node. Lower latency results in quicker response times and a more responsive user experience, particularly for real-time applications like video conferencing or online gaming.

11. Security Measures: As digital information travels on the web, several security measures are in place to protect it. Encryption, as mentioned earlier, ensures that data is transmitted securely. Firewalls and intrusion detection systems help prevent unauthorized access to networks and devices. Additionally, security protocols like SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) provide secure communication between clients and servers.

12. Mobile Networks: In addition to traditional wired networks, digital information can also travel on mobile networks through cellular connections. Mobile ISPs and cellular towers facilitate data transmission, allowing users to access the web using their smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices.

13. Content Compression: To optimize data transmission, content can be compressed before being sent over the network. Compression techniques reduce the size of files, making them quicker to transmit. Common compression algorithms include GZIP and Brotli, which are used for compressing web pages, scripts, stylesheets, and other types of content.

14. Quality of Service (QoS): Some networks prioritize certain types of traffic over others based on QoS settings. For example, video streaming or voice over IP (VoIP) traffic may be given higher priority to ensure smooth playback and clear call quality. QoS mechanisms help allocate network resources effectively for different types of applications or services.

15. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networks: In P2P networks, data is shared directly between devices without the need for central servers. Users share files or resources with each other, reducing reliance on traditional client-server infrastructure. P2P networks are commonly used for activities like file sharing or streaming media.

16. Global Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): IXPs are physical locations where multiple ISPs and network operators connect their networks together. They facilitate the exchange of internet traffic between different networks, improving connectivity and reducing latency. Large IXPs can handle significant amounts of traffic, making them crucial for efficient data transmission.

17. Load Balancing: Websites or online services with high traffic volumes often employ load balancing techniques. Load balancers distribute incoming requests across multiple servers, ensuring that no single server is overwhelmed with traffic. This improves performance and reliability by evenly distributing the load among servers.

18. Fault Tolerance and Redundancy: To minimize the impact of network failures or hardware issues, redundancy measures are put in place. Redundant systems, such as backup servers or network links, provide failover capabilities, ensuring that if one component fails, another can take over seamlessly. This enhances reliability and minimizes disruptions in data transmission.

19. Internet Backbone: The internet backbone refers to the primary high-capacity network connections that carry internet traffic across regions or countries. These networks interconnect major cities and network hubs, forming the backbone infrastructure of the internet. They are typically operated by large telecommunications companies or backbone providers.

20. Capacity Planning: Network operators continually monitor and plan for future network capacity needs. As internet usage grows, capacity planning ensures that sufficient resources are available to handle increasing data volumes. This involves upgrading network infrastructure, adding more bandwidth, and adapting to emerging technologies and trends.