Written Assignment – 8
Networking and Internet Fundamentals
1. History of the Internet
The Internet traces its roots to the 1960s with the development of ARPANET by the U.S.
Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). ARPANET was
designed to create a decentralized communication network that could withstand military
attacks. By 1969, four computers were connected using this network, forming the
foundation of the modern Internet (Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 124). Over the decades,
ARPANET grew and evolved. The introduction of TCP/IP protocols in 1983 allowed
different networks to interconnect more easily. By the 1990s, the World Wide Web was
created by Tim Berners-Lee, revolutionizing how people access and share information.
Since then, the Internet has expanded globally and now includes billions of connected
devices supporting commerce, communication, and entertainment. Its evolution continues
today with mobile computing, cloud technologies, and the Internet of Things (IoT) (OpenAI,
2025).
2. Message Transfer Between Hosts
When a message is sent from one host to another, it is broken into packets by the sender’s
system. These packets contain destination and source addresses. They travel through
various network paths before being reassembled at the destination. Each packet may take a
different route depending on the network load and availability (OpenAI, 2025). At the
destination, the receiving system reorders the packets based on headers and reconstructs
the original message. This process is managed by communication protocols like TCP/IP,
which establish the connection, control packet flow, and confirm successful delivery
(Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 128).
3. Role of Switches and Routers
Switches and routers are network hardware devices with distinct roles. Switches operate at
the data link layer and connect devices within a local area network (LAN). They forward
data only to the specific device intended to receive it, reducing unnecessary traffic. Routers,
on the other hand, operate at the network layer. They direct data packets between different
networks and determine the optimal path for transmission using IP addresses (OpenAI,
2025). Routers connect LANs to the Internet or wide area networks (WANs) (Bourgeois et
al., 2019, p. 129).
4. IP Address and Domain Name
An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network. For
example, 192.168.1.1 is a common IP used in home networks. A domain name is a human-
readable address like www.example.com. They are linked through the Domain Name
System (DNS), which translates domain names into IP addresses so devices can locate each
other. For instance, when a user enters a domain name into a browser, the system queries a
DNS server to retrieve the corresponding IP address needed for communication (Bourgeois
et al., 2019, p. 130) (OpenAI, 2025).
5. TCP/IP Protocol
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. It is the foundational
communication protocol suite for networks and the Internet. TCP manages how data is
broken into packets and ensures correct order and delivery. IP handles addressing and
routing each packet to its destination. The layered structure of TCP/IP includes the
application, transport, internet, and network access layers. This design supports
interoperability across different hardware and networks. TCP/IP is robust, flexible, and
scalable, making it suitable for global networking (Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 128) (OpenAI,
2025).
6. Bluetooth Technology
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used to exchange data between devices over
short distances. It operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and is commonly used to connect
devices like headphones, keyboards, mice, fitness trackers, and smartphones. The typical
range is up to 10 meters, depending on the device class. Bluetooth supports personal area
networks (PANs) and is energy efficient, making it ideal for battery-operated devices
(Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 133) (OpenAI, 2025).
7. Voice over IP (VoIP)
VoIP is a method of transmitting voice communications over the Internet instead of
traditional phone lines. It converts voice signals into digital packets, which are transmitted
over data networks. Applications like Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp use VoIP. It is cost-
effective and allows integration with video and text communication. VoIP requires an
Internet connection and often includes features like voicemail, call forwarding, and
conferencing. Voice quality depends on bandwidth and latency. VoIP has significantly
altered the telecommunications landscape by lowering costs and expanding access to global
communication (Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 135) (OpenAI, 2025).
8. LAN vs WAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network and connects devices within a limited area like a home,
office, or school. It offers high speed and low latency communication. WAN, or Wide Area
Network, spans large geographical areas and connects multiple LANs, often through public
networks like the Internet. WANs typically use routers and leased communication lines
(OpenAI, 2025). While LANs are private and fast, WANs are slower and more complex but
provide broader access (Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 126).
9. Client-Server Computing
Client-server computing is a model where clients (user devices) request services and
servers (central systems) provide responses. Clients initiate communication while servers
process and deliver resources like files, databases, or web content. This architecture allows
centralized management, scalability, and efficient resource allocation. For instance, a web
browser (client) requests a webpage, and the web server responds with the content. It is the
foundation of most Internet services today (Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 126).
10. Metcalfe’s Law
Metcalfe’s Law states that the value of a network increases with the square of the number of
users. In other words, as more users join a network, the number of potential connections
grows exponentially. This principle explains the success of platforms like social media,
where each additional user adds more interaction opportunities. It highlights how network
effects drive value and adoption (Bourgeois et al., 2019, p. 124) (OpenAI, 2025).
References
Bourgeois, D. T., Smith, J. L., Wang, S., & Mortati, J. (2019). *Information Systems for
Business and Beyond* (Updated ed.). Biola University.
https://digitalcommons.biola.edu/open-textbooks/1
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 15 version) [Large language model].
https://chat.openai.com/
