## The Internet

### What is it? What is its purpose?

  - Global network of all interconnected networks
  - Initially a project of the U.S. Defense Department (ARPAnet)
  - Augmented, then overtaken by the National Science Foundation (NSFNET)
  - After NSFNET, an invitation to all educational institutions to participate
  - Now open to all users

### What are its components and protocols?

  - Conduit (dedicated wires, phone lines, microwaves, fiber optic cable, and computer-network connection devices)
  - Protocols (TCP/IP)

### What is Client/Server computing?

  - Primary model of applications design for the Internet
  - Client = User; Server = remote computer
  - Client Software communicates with Server Software to provide services or information.

In summary, the Internet serves as infrastructure - the pathway and the rules of the road. Yet, outside of the general protocols for operation, transmission and addressing, it is essentially an open, unmapped environment..

Using the Internet