Brief history of the Internet

In 1973 the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated a research program to investigate techniques and technologies for interlinking packet networks of various kinds. The objective was to develop communication protocols which would allow networked computers to communicate transparently across multiple, linked packet networks. This was called the Internetting project and the system of networks which emerged from the research was known as the “Internet” (Intercontinental Network).

During the course of its evolution, particularly after 1989, the Internet system began to integrate support for other protocol suites into its basic networking fabric. By the end of 1991 the Internet has grown to include some 5 000 networks in over three dozen countries, serving over 700,000 host computers used by over 4,000,000 people.

The bulk of the system today is made up of private networking facilities in education and research institutions, business and in government organizations across the globe.

A secretariat has been created to manage the day-to-day function of the Internet Activities Board (IAB) and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). IETF meets three times a year in plenary and in approximately 50 working groups convene at intermediate times by electronic mail, teleconferencing and at face-to-face meetings.

There are a number of Network Information Centres (NICs) located throughout the Internet to serve its users with documentation, guidance, advice and assistance. As the Internet continues to grow internationally, the need for high quality NIC functions increases. Although the initial community of users of the Internet were drawn from the ranks of computer science and engineering its users now comprise a wide range of disciplines in the sciences, arts, letters, business, military and government administration.

Notes

Techniques — методы; bulk — объем; Internet Engineering Task Force (Специальная комиссия Интернет разработок) — открытое международное сообщество проектировщиков, учёных, сетевых операторов и провайдеров, созданное IAB (Internet Architecture Board) в 1986 году, которое занимается развитием протоколов и архитектуры Интернета. a pproximately —приблизительно; convene — собираться

Lesson 3. Internet frequently asked questions (FAQs)

I. Look through the questions given below and try to answer them.

How old is the Internet (the Net)?

Who created the Internet?

Did the Internet become popular quickly?

How do you get online?

How fast are today’s internet connections?

How long has broadband existed?

How much does broadband cost?

Why do you need a modem?

What does TCP/IP mean?

Are there other ways of accessing the Internet?

II. Study the answers to the questions given above. Give some additional information.

1. It’s hard to say exactly. The research that led to what we now know as the Internet was begun in the 1960s.

2. It’s hard to say exactly who did it. The initial research was carried out by the Advanced Research PROJECTS Agency in America, funded by the US government.

3. It took many years for the Internet to become popular. It’s since the mid-90s that the Internet has been a part of our daily lives.

4. To get connected, you need the right connection software and a modem. You also need an account with the Internet Service Provider (ISP), which acts as a gateway.

5. The most common types of ISPs are cable — offered by local cable TV companies —and ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). Broadband access is also offered by some electricity networks. This technology is known as power-line Internet, but it is still in development.

6. Since the late 1990s.

7. It depends on which company you choose.

8. A modem (modulator/ demodulator) converts digital signals into analogue ones so that data can be transmitted across the phone or cable network.

9. That’s the language used for data transfer. This is like the internet operating system. Computers connected to the Net are identified by a unique IP address.

10. Other methods include Wi-Fi, satellite, mobile phones and TV sets. Wi-Fi-enabled laptops or PDAs allow you to connect to the Net if you are near a wireless access point, in locations called hotpots (e.g. a Wi-Fi café, park or campus). Satellite services are used in places where terrestrial access is not available (e.g. on ships at sea).

III. Which of the internet systems (1-6) you would use to do the tasks (A-F).

1 Email	A transfer files from the Net to your hard drive
2 The Web	B send a message to another person via the Net
3 Newsgroups	C have a live talk (usually typed) online
4 Chat and IM	D connect to a remote computer by entering instructions, and run a program on it
5 FTP	E take part in public discussion areas devoted to specific topics
6 Telnet	F download and view documents published on the Internet