Internet
Definition
A global network connecting billions of computers and devices, functioning like a worldwide postal system for digital information exchange.
Use Cases
- Netflix: Delivering video streaming to viewers worldwide over the public Internet — Netflix uses its content delivery approach (including its Open Connect CDN with servers placed at internet exchange points and within ISP networks) to move video closer to users and reduce reliance on long-distance Internet paths. (Improved streaming performance and reduced buffering by serving content from locations closer to end users.)
- Zoom: Real-time video meetings between participants across different networks and countries — Zoom routes audio/video traffic over the Internet and uses globally distributed infrastructure to reduce latency and improve call quality for users connecting from many regions and ISPs. (Enabled large-scale remote work and online classes with real-time communication across long distances.)
- Cloudflare: Speeding up and protecting websites accessed over the Internet — Cloudflare operates a global edge network that caches content and filters malicious traffic near users, reducing round-trip time across the Internet and mitigating attacks like DDoS. (Faster page loads and improved availability and security for Internet-facing applications.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW)?
- The Internet is the global network that moves data between devices. The World Wide Web is one service that runs on the Internet—websites and web apps accessed with a browser using HTTP/HTTPS.
- When should I use the Internet vs a private network connection to the cloud?
- Use the Internet for public websites, mobile apps, and APIs meant for anyone to reach, or when you need quick, low-cost connectivity. Use private connections (like dedicated circuits or private peering) for consistent performance, lower latency variability, regulatory requirements, or when you want to avoid sending sensitive traffic over the public Internet.
- How much does the Internet cost?
- The Internet itself has no single price, but you pay for access and usage through an ISP or mobile carrier. Costs depend on bandwidth (speed), data transfer (GB/TB), service type (home broadband, business fiber, mobile), and extras like static IPs. In cloud computing, a major factor is cloud egress charges (data leaving the cloud to the Internet), which can be significant for high-traffic apps.
Category: networking
Difficulty: basic
Related Terms
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