A domain name by itself is not enough. A domain needs records that explain what should happen when someone tries to use it. For example, DNS records can answer questions like: Where should the website load from? Which server handles email for this domain? Which servers are allowed to send email for this domain?
When someone types a domain name into a browser, the browser needs to find the technical information connected to that name. This process is called a DNS lookup. A DNS lookup is the process of finding the DNS information connected to a domain name.
3.3 How DNS Finds a Website Read More »
Domain names give people a readable way to find websites and online services. People type names like google.com, wikipedia.org, michaelisuniversity.com. Computers, however, still need technical information in order to make the connection.
The Internet connects computers, phones, servers, and other devices around the world. For these devices to communicate, they need addresses. These addresses are called IP addresses.
3.1 What Is a Domain Name? Read More »
Module 3 explains how domain names, DNS, hosting, and CDNs work together to make websites reachable on the Internet. It begins by showing that domain names are human-readable names that point people toward online services, while DNS is the system that translates those names into the technical information computers need. The module then explains how DNS lookup works, including resolvers, root servers, top-level domain servers, authoritative name servers, caching, and DNS records such as A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS records.
3.0 Internet Module 3: Domains, DNS, and Hosting Read More »
When a user visits a website, the information displayed on the screen may appear instantly. Behind the scenes, however, websites must store large amounts of content and deliver that content to users whenever it is requested.
2.4 How Websites Store and Deliver Information Read More »
Opening a webpage may seem simple. A user types a web address into a browser, presses Enter, and the website appears on the screen. Behind the scenes, however, many different systems work together to make this happen. In just a few seconds, computers around the world communicate, exchange information, and deliver content to the user’s device.
2.3 What Happens When You Open a Webpage? Read More »
A protocol is a standardized method for exchanging information between computers. Just as people need a common language to communicate effectively, computers need agreed-upon protocols to exchange data across networks. When it comes to websites, the two most important protocols are HTTP and HTTPS.
2.2 HTTP and HTTPS Read More »
Most people use websites every day without thinking much about how they work. Whether checking email, reading the news, shopping online, or watching videos, every website depends on communication between a browser and a server. Understanding browsers and servers is one of the most important foundations for understanding how the modern Internet works.
2.1 Browsers, Servers, and Websites Read More »
Module 2 explains how the Web works by showing how browsers, servers, and websites interact to deliver information to users. It introduces the client-server model, where a browser requests information and a server responds with the files and data needed to display a webpage. The module also explains HTTP and HTTPS, showing that these are the communication rules browsers and servers use, and that HTTPS adds encryption to help protect sensitive information during transmission.
2.0 Internet Module 2: How the Web Works Read More »
