INTERNET: A GLOBAL NETWORK

OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

P v Raj Kumar

INTRODUCTION on the network. Networks such as the Internet provide

worldwide access to data.
Millions of people around the Globe are now a "click"
of the "mouse" away from instantly joining a world wide Eliminating duplication
computer communication network. The advent of digital
technology which covers all communication signals to Unnecessary duplication of resources may be avoided.
as and is called Bits, greatly expands capacity for
transmission of texts, audio, graphics and video. The Reliability
result has been to II unfold changes in business and
personal life. Rapid strides in science, technological The availability of alternative computers and data
infusions into creative process and other intellectual sources makes it possible to continue operation in
activities has led to exponential in information spite of hardware failure. It also minimizes the risk of
generation. Information "Propulsions" necessities the loss of critical data.
use of Hi- Tech computers and other electronic devices
to ensure instaneous flow of crisp information to the Communication
right individual at the right time. Collection, accessing,
maintaining and distribution of data through networks Users can communicate easily, instantaneously and
to the information seekers around the globe is the main economically over large distances (even across
concern of present day Database management. Over continents) and can work together. Electronic bulletin
the years this task has become established as one of boards facilitate the prompt dissemination and
the most vital computer applications with advancement discussion of scientific work.
of "Fierce Technology" and complete dependence on
computers, data base Management System in the WHAT IS INTERNET? WHY?
context of a "Network Environment" has expanded
both in number and complexity. Today a complete The Internet - also known as the net - is the world's
hardware and software solution is available to the largest computer network. A computer network is
problems of sharing programme files, data files and basically a bunch of computers hooked together. In
peripherals and providing security for master files and concept, it's a sort of like a radio or a TV network that
personal information is available through a LAN. Until connects a bunch of radio or TV stations so that they
recently installing a LAN meant huge investments. But can share the latest programme. But computer
in the modern era new types of Networks are available, networks unlike TV networks, are invariably two-way,
much less complex and well within the grasp, both so that when computer A sends a message to computer
financially and technically. Present day automated B, B can send a reply back to A. Internet, are more
information systems often relay heavily on some type egalitarian and permit any computer on the network to
of DBMS for support. DataBase Management system communicate with any other. Factually, the Internet
attempts to represent a real world management isn't really a network - it's a network of networks, all
information situation within the frame work of one of freely exchanging information. To illustrate, as of
the complex data Models. These data bases now August 1994, more than 20,000 networks on every
encompass such diverse applications as distributed continent connecting more than 3 million computers
multimedia data bases as well as knowledge bases for were part of Internet, with 1000 new networks and
artificial Intelligence System. Mechanism are being 100,000 computers per month being added!
devised which permit direct machine support reference
from textual chunk to another. New interfaces provide Components of the Internet
and enable the user to transport the chunk by
establishing relationship across the globe through 1. The people who use it, and
Data Networks. 2. The information that resides in it.

FACTORS NECESSIATING DATA NETWORK Access to the Internet

Resource sharing Most networks are very restrictive in what they allow
users to do and hence have specific arrangements
Computing resources are made available to all users and passwords for each service. The Internet is
probably the most open network inthe world. Thousands Internet service provider
of computers provide facilities that are available to any
one who has net access. The vast majority of Internet Internet service providers or Internet access providers
services are free for taking, once connected. provide access to its subscribers (generally for a fee)
along with other on-line or conference services.
Ancestry of the Internet
Protection of information along the net
The ancestor of the Internet was the ARPANET, a
project started by the Department of Defence (DO D) The fundamental global criticism on the Internet is that
in 1969 on an experimental scale to link DOD and while exploring the Internet one can himself in many
military research contractors, including the large far-off and not-so-far-off lands on many strange
number of Universities engaged in military funded computers. To protect information in the network, an
research. Initially the ARPANET started small and elaborate scheme of permission is used. Permission
connected three computers in California, but it grew to also known as access control, are what determine who
span the continent. can do what to what. Permissions are assigned to files
and directories and determine who can access each
Checklist for a conventional dialup connection file and directory and in what way. Levels of permission
include no access, read, write, no doubt information is
To establish a conventional dialup connection to the protected by some of these permissions.
Internet, the following are needed:
Eye view of Internet at work
* a Telephone
Internet has more than a million computers attached to
* a Computer with a serial port (for it. Each machine on the net is identified by a number
external modems) or an expansion and a name assigned to identify it to other hosts, sort
slot (for internal modems) of like a phone number. The numbers are in four parts.
Most hosts also have names. The names have multiple
* a Modem ( and if it's an external parts separated by dots ([Link]).
modem, a cable to connect it to
the computer) A simple Internet command

* Communication (or "terminal Of all the commands that access the Internet, the
emulation") software easiest to use is the network application names finger.
The finger command is part of the suit of utilities that
* an Account with the Internet have grown up around the Internet network software.
access provider To execute, just type the word finger followed by the
login name of the user. The interesting thing about
Tips for hookup to the Internet finger is that, if connected to the Internet, it can tell
about users on other computers.
Basically there are two approaches to access the
Internet services, namely, Internet Protocols

1. The "deek" or "deranged approach" The set of conventions used to pass packets from one
2. The "normal approach" host to another is known as Internet protocols, or IP.
The two best known protocols are T ransm ission control
Under "deranged approach" huge network cables are protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
made to run along all over with humming boxes full of
routers and sub nets and packet drivers. The other Getting off the Internet
approach, is to use a computer, a modem, and a phone
line to dial into an Internet service. A normal terminal The most common exit sequence include the following
programme like CROSSTALK or PROCOMM is run on
the computer for linkage. * Exit

Utility cute little box - Modem * Ctrl-D (popular on UNIX

systems)
A modem is a little device that enables data from one
computer to travel to another computer by using * Logout
ordinary telephone lines. The little cute box goes
between the host computer and the phone line and * Bye
between the phone line and the computer on the other
end. If on an UNIX environment, pressing Ctrl-D enough
times- usually helps to LOGOFF trorn the system. thi!'. ,..sper and permitting me to present the article.

The Ind!an Scenario

In India, ihe Networking services are provided by 1. Gibson, W. :Neuro mancer Ace Science Fiction.
Videsh Sanchar Nigam's (VSN~ Gateway Packet 1984.
Switching Service (GPSS). Based 0(, this I-NET has
been establisned. An Electronic Mail Service, also 2. Future of Library Networks. Essen Symposium 16·
based on GPSS is available. 18. Sept., 1981. Ed. by Ahmed H. Helal, Joachim
W. Weiss. Essen: Gesamthochschulbibliothek
Epilogue 1981, pp 259.

No doubt, the age of the Internet has brouqht society .:5. Alvin Totfler : The third wave (1980). p 238.
more than the truits offarway knowledge, new business
opportunities and round-the-clock entertainment. Cerf, 4. Internet World, February 1995.
the "tather of the Internet", t .as predicted that Ly 2000
there will be 300 million users on-line. Educorn's 5. Wired, December 1994.
Roberts says, ''The Internet will evolve the way we
make it evolve". . 6. Brendan P. Kehoe: Zen and the art of the Internet
(1994)
Acknowledgment 7. John R. Levine and Carol Baroudi, The Internet for
Dummies. Ed 2
The author is thanktul to Dr. K. M. Mehta, Professor. 8. Bennet. Falk, The Internet: basic reference from A
School of Computer Science Hnj E'1gin\~Aring, Anna to Z.
[Link] !.is va', ..•.
/Jle %9:[Link] iI, l,r81"'aring