Final answer:
The Internet relies on key technologies such as HTTP, TCP, IP, fiber optics, and satellite communication, evolving from academic and military roots to a widespread global network fundamental to modern communication, commerce, and entertainment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Internet and Its Underlying Technologies
The Internet is an extensive network that has its roots in research conducted by the Department of Defense and various universities during the 1960s and 1970s. This collaboration led to the development of several foundational technologies that are central to modern internet functionality. Among these, several protocols and technologies stand out:
- Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is fundamental for the World Wide Web, allowing web browsers to retrieve and display web pages.
- Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) ensures reliable communication by establishing connections and directing data flow through a technique called packet switching.
- Internet Protocol (IP) is critical to sending and routing data packets across the network.
- The integration of fiber optics has advanced network bandwidth, allowing for the rapid transfer of data, which is the backbone of modern internet infrastructure.
- Satellite communication has also played a role in extending the reach of internet services globally.
The history of the internet shows a gradual evolution from government and academic networks to a global system that encompasses commerce and everyday communication. Tim Berners-Lee's development of the World Wide Web using a NeXT computer is a pivotal moment when key web technologies like HTML and URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) came into existence, bringing a new application of the internet that supports the exchange of multimedia content.
Today, the internet affects almost every aspect of life, transforming communications, commerce, and entertainment, and continually evolves with the advancement of technologies like fiber optics and satellite communication.