The term internet has come from two-term interconnection and network.


Network:- a group of computers that are connected together for sharing information.

Interconnection:- Several such networks have been joined together across the world from what is called the internet.

Main uses of the internet:-


( a ) Communication


The internet provides many ways to communicate with others. Some major ways are:
  • E-mail
  • Chatting
  • Video-conferencing

( b ) Entertainment


Various ways of entertainment are:
  • Playing online games
  • Watching latest movie clips
  • Listening to music
  • Watching cartoon films

( c ) Shopping


You can almost all items online.


( d ) Research and educational use

  • Students can join the online class
  • Student can sit for the online class
  • Student can see online results
  • Student can apply online for a particular course

( e )  Searching information 


Every person can use the net for getting the information about his interest. You can search the net for:
  • Job
  • News
  • Arts and culture 

( f )  Electronic fund transfer


Nowadays, all fund transfer is online.

Ways to connect to the internet at home are:-

  • Dial-up connection
  • Broadband connection
  • Wireless connection




    • Dial-up connection

    In a dial-up connection, users create a temporary connection with the internet service provider (IPS) uses internet services and then disconnect the connection.
     A dial-up connection is the cheapest method of internet access and most of the users connect to the internet by using this method.

    ADVANTAGE:-
    1. Less expensive.
    DISADVANTAGE
    1. Slow speed
    2. Low reliability 

    • Broadband connection

    The term broadband refers to broad bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that a circuit can carry. The speed of the broadband connection is varying from 256 kbps (kilobits per second) to 8 mbps (megabits per second).
    ADVANTAGE 
    1. Fast speed
    2. Better reliability
    3. Always on
    4. Time needs to connect is very less.
    DISADVANTAGE
    1. High cost
    2. Not available in all areas.

    • Wireless connection (Wi-Fi)

    Wi-Fi is the most common way to connect to the internet wirelessly in the range of 100 - 300 feet. Wi-Fi refers to wireless fidelity.

    ADVANTAGE
    1. Less expensive to set up
    2. Not limited to one fixes location
    3. No need for wire or cable
    4. Ideal for locations having many physical barriers like thick walls.
    DISADVANTAGE
    1. Security problem
    2. Vulnerable

    Internet adders / IP adress


    Every computer connected to the internet is assigned with a unique address, which is called the IP address or internet address of the computer.

    The IP address has the following characteristics in common:-
    • IP addresses are unique.
    • IP addresses are global.
    • No two machines can have the same IP number.