Computer network

                                                     Information  About Network

At home, your computer might be connected to its own printer and scanner.

Introduction to Internet 

       Internet is a computer-based world wide information network. It can be assumed as an example of 

      WAN (Wide Area Network ). The Internet  is composed of a large number of smaller interconnected

      networks. These networks may link tens, hundreds, or thousands of computers, enabling them to

      share information with each other and to share various resources, such as powerful supercomputers

      and databases (collection of data ) of information. 

            History of Internet

    The Internet has made it possible for people all over the world to effectively and inexpensively

     communicate with each other. Unlike traditional broadcasting media, such as radio and television,

     the Internet is a decentralized system. Each connected individual can communicate with anyone else

     on the Internet, can publish ideas, and can sell products with a minimum overhead cost. 

                     

           

        The seeds of Internet were planted in 1969, when U.S. Department of Defense sponsored a project

         name ARPANET (acronym for Advanced Research Project Agency Network ). In mid 80's,

        another federal agency, the National Science Foundation, created a new, high-capacity network

        called NSF net, which was more capable than  ARPANET.

        It was the Inter-networking the linking of these two and some other networks (the ARPANET,NSF

        net and some private networks ) that was named Internet.

       The original ARPANET, was shut down in 1990, and the government funding for NSF net

       discontinued in 1995. But the commercial Internet services came into picture, which are still

       running the Internet. 

    Advantages of Internet   

• Greater access to information reduces research times.

• Useful communication links.

• Global reach enables one to connect to anyone on the Internet.

• easy communication with other people.

• Publishing documents on the Internet saves paper.

• A valuable resource for companies to advertise and conduct business.

  Disadvantages of the Internet 

• Cyber frauds may take place involving Credit/Debit card numbers and details.

• unsuitable and undesirable material available that sometimes are used by notorious people such as terrorists. 

• Computer viruses get downloaded an spread across machines connected to networks and have detrimental effects. 

• much of the information isn't checked and may be incorrect or irrelevant. 

• messages send across the Internet can be easily intercepted an are open to abuse by others. 

• Too much time spent on the Internet could result n a lack of face-to-face interaction with other and a loss of social skills. 

• Going on-line runs the risk of malicious hackers or viruses being able to damage your computer.