How does the internet work?
BLUF: The Internet is a vast distributed network of networks.
A fundamental explanation of how does the internet work?
The Explanation
The Internet is a vast distributed network of networks. Data on the Internet is broken into small packets, each carrying payload plus header information. Routers and switches forward these packets independently toward their destination using protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, etc.). Standard protocols ensure that different hardware/software can communicate. For example, IP addresses and DNS translate names to numbers, and TCP ensures packets arrive correctly. In essence, when you send data (email, webpage request), it's chopped into packets, each routed through multiple nodes (routers) based on global routing tables, and then reassembled at the receiver. This packet-switching design makes the Internet scalable and robust: information can traverse different paths, and networks anywhere can link in as long as they follow the agreed standards.