About the Internet

History

The history of the Internet dates back to the end of the 1960s when the United States military began creating ARPANET, a decentralised data network resistant to nuclear attacks. Later, also universities and research institutes became interested in the possibility of fast acquisition of information, and in the 1980s, the military network was separated from the data network used for science and research purposes. The network was soon expanded outside the United States, and in the beginning of the 1990s it became known as the Internet.

In Finland, the use of data networks began to spread in the 1980s, first between universities, and the Finnish networks were connected to the international network right from the start. In the beginning of 1990s, the so-called TELMO architecture was also introduced in Finland. In terms of services, TELMO resembled the present-day Internet.

Internet use has rapidly become common all over the world. Finland has continually been among the top countries in statistics on Internet use. The most common uses for Internet in Finland include sending e-mail, searching for information and online banking. Online shopping has also become more popular. Most commonly, Finnish online shopping is related to travelling, clothes, entrance tickets, books and music.

Packet switching network of networks

The term Internet is used to refer to a worldwide network of computer networks. The Internet interconnects different networks through several alternative routes. This way, simultaneous malfunctions do not usually disrupt the functioning of the Internet, and the computers connected to the networks can communicate with each other.

Due to its structure and operating principles, no one owns the Internet. The Internet is developed openly, and an abundance of instructions exist on the use of the network. Finnish Internet service providers have also published informal netiquettes in order to make Internet use as pleasant and useful as possible for everyone.

The Internet is a packet switching network in which packets, or transmitted data, are exchanged using IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. Each computer connected to the Internet has a unique IP address. The address is like a postal code, only a longer series of numbers, such as 192.168.120.231. Network routers are like mail sorting centres providing connections to several directions. The router examines the target address of the packet and forwards it to a direction closer to its destination.

The long series of numbers in IP addresses are difficult to remember; therefore, the Internet has also name servers. With the help of name servers, computers identify which IP address corresponds to, for example, the name www.tietoturvaopas.fi.

Because only a limited amount of data can be included in one packet, a connection can be formed between two computers. The most common connection type is TCP/IP, in which TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol. TCP/IP is used in, for instance, searching for websites: a connection is established between a server and a computer while connecting to the website.

Site updated 18.11.2008