How does the internet work? The internet is like a big network of roads that connect computers, just like how roads connect different houses in a city. When you send a message or open a website, your request travels through these roads to reach the right place, and the information comes back to you the same way!
The Internet as a Network of Roads
Concept: The internet is a vast network of connected computers and servers, similar to a city's road system. When you send a message or open a website, your request travels through this network to reach its destination. Information is transmitted back to your device through the same network pathways. Think of the internet as a massive road network, where data packets (small units of information) travel like vehicles moving through different routes.
Why This Matters for PMs
Understanding how data moves helps in assessing performance issues such as slow website load times. Knowing about network congestion helps when working on scalability and reliability features.
DNS (Domain Name System) Every website has an address, just like houses have addresses. But instead of numbers, we use names like www.google.com The DNS is like a phonebook—it translates website names into special number addresses (IP addresses) so that computers can find the right place.
Domain Names and DNS: The Internet’s Phonebook
Concept: Every website has an address, just like houses have addresses. Websites use human-friendly names (e.g., www.google.com), but computers need numerical addresses (IP addresses) to locate them. The Domain Name System (DNS) acts as the internet’s phonebook, translating website names into IP addresses so devices can find the correct location. Example: When you type “www.google.com,” the DNS finds the associated IP address and directs your request to Google’s servers.
Why This Matters for PMs
If a product depends on multiple third-party services, DNS resolution speed can impact the product’s performance. When discussing website availability or downtime, DNS issues might be a root cause.
IP (Internet Protocol Address) Every device connected to the internet has a unique number called an IP address It’s like a home address for your computer or phone. When you visit a website, your device finds the website’s IP address and connects to it to get the information.
IP Addresses: The Internet’s Home Address System
Concept: Every device connected to the internet has a unique number called an IP address. IP addresses identify devices and help them communicate with each other. Your device finds a website’s IP address before it can connect and retrieve information. There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1) – Older format, limited number of addresses. IPv6 (e.g., 2001:db8::ff00:42:8329) – Newer format, supports a larger number of devices.
Why This Matters for PMs
Helps when working on networking-related features like geolocation-based services. Understanding IP-based security measures (e.g., blocking malicious traffic) can be useful when working with engineers on cybersecurity.
Throughput (How much data you can transfer at once) Think of this like a water pipe. A bigger pipe can carry more water at once, just like higher throughput means more data can be transferred quickly over the internet.
Throughput: The Data Pipeline
Concept: The speed at which data moves through the internet is called throughput. It’s similar to a water pipe: a bigger pipe can carry more water at once. Higher throughput means data can transfer more quickly, improving user experience. Measured in Mbps (megabits per second) or Gbps (gigabits per second).
Why This Matters for PMs