How the Internet Works Most people use the internet but do not know how it works.

The internet is simply a wire, buried underground. There is wifi and cell phones, but let’s keep this simple. The internet is a wire.

Servers are special computers that connect directly to the internet. Server

Web pages are files saved on a server’s hard drive. The hard drive on a server can hold a LOT of files. Many files can be saved on one server. Servermacy’s gmail yahoo Serverfacebook typing web

The computer at your home is not a server. Server

To connect to the internet, your computer must connect to an Internet Service Provider. Server ISP

Your Internet Service Provider connects directly to the internet. Server ISP

Let’s say you want to send an . You have a friend who is also connected to the internet through an ISP. ServerISP Server ISP

You use gmail. Your friend uses yahoo. ServerISP Server ISP

ServerISP Server ISP Your computer connects to the ISP. The ISP connects to the internet. The internet takes you to Gmail’s website.

After you write a message, you hit Send. Gmail’s server will send the message to the internet which connects to the server with Yahoo. ServerISP Server ISP

The next time your friend connects to the internet through the ISP, and goes to the yahoo.com page, yahoo will have the waiting for him. ServerISP Server ISP

So now you know how the information travels from one computer to another. BUT

How does it get to your screen?

Through a browser.

You type an address into the browser. gmail.com northseattle.edu redcross.org whitehouse.gov

The ISP will find that address on a server and and then deliver that website to your screen.

Now you have some idea of how the internet works. Don’t worry if you don’t understand. You can still use the internet!