The internet is an abstract concept because its mechanics is
a black box, both how hardware works inside its shell and how information is
virtually transported. Most of us take
it for granted when we connect to a network, we open a browser, and access the
internet without really understanding all the components. One way I describe the internet in a
tangible, physical, elementary way is by comparing it to our current banking
system. Users are considered clients/customers,
and transactions most likely involve multiple parties (networks). Both systems are networks that create much
convenience in our daily lives and instant responses to requests. The internet is “a global collection of
networks, both big and small … a network of networks … a gigantic, sprawling
agreement between companies to intercommunicate freely” according to
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/internet-infrastructure.htm/printable. Large internet service providers (ISP) across
the world are very much like the big banks, Bank of America, Chase, Wells
Fargo, HSBC, etc. “Transactions” are
driven by data for ISP’s and money for banks.
There are agreements and communication among ISP’s, just as it does for
banks. Information is passed through
Network Access Points (NAPs) between ISP’s.
This is like the mass transfer accounting that is done between banks in
balancing all the checks, deposits, debit card transactions, except for the
ISP, the transactions are done between the ISP almost instantaneously. Banks gives us the impression that it is
instant, such as when we go to any ATM for cash withdrawal, whether it is the
bank you bank with or not, you have access to your banking account.
The process of writing and cashing checks has similar
logistics as how data is transferred. The
person who writes the check relies on his/her and the receiver’s bank(s) to
complete the transaction. When one
connects to the internet to load a webpage or send an email, the user replies
on his/her and the destination’s ISP or server to relay the data. The data is broken up into packets, each
packet has information such as the final destination or who the data is
intended for. Similar to a check, basic
information such as the name of the bank, issue, and recipient are listed. Our banking account number is like a static IP
address, however, in real life, clients most likely use dynamic IP addresses
which changes every time. We don’t
typically remember the actual digits making up the account number, instead, we
identify by the type of account and our name or social security number. For the internet, we typically remember the
domain name (for web addresses or emails), and this is looked up by the domain
name server (imagine an ATM machine or bank teller who connects the dots) to
the actual IP address of the destination.
The bank routing number is used similar to the first-level domain name
such as .com, .org, .edu, .gov. It
identifies which (type of root) “institution” and the routing numbers are not
unique with every account. However, the
IP address and account numbers are unique.
Imagine ports as different banking departments, such as
loans or safety deposit boxes or credit cards.
They each serve a specific function, and within that department there
are protocols like a set of procedures that are followed. For example, when you apply for a mortgage,
the guidelines and steps are standard among banks. The type of information or parameters such as
fee and interest rates are typical of different types of credit cards. The banking system is convenient and
successful in that you can access your banking information at any one of the
ATM machines around the world. The
internet network is even more powerful because it has ATM machines everywhere
and not necessarily restricted to a specific location. The network has grown even more wide spread
with the popularity of smart phones, which means you are connected to the
internet (carrying an ATM machine with you at all times) as long as there is
reception! The banking system in reality
takes advantage of the internet networks, becoming more virtual and accessible without
relying on establishing physical ATM machines or bank locations.
