estination computer, the destination computer needs to know what the data contains so that it can deal with it. Thus an additional address field is thus built into the protocol. This additional address field, known as the socket or port number, is used to identify where the data is to be directed so the connection can be made. Connection MadeUpon making the connection, the two computers exchange a dialogue to identify each other, the recipient, any special delivery instructions, and the email message itself. Just as email relies upon a standard dialogue to transfer information, so does Web browsing. Using HTTP, your browser software connects to a Web server and starts downloading Web pages by requesting files from the server. After the connection is made, the files are downloaded.Files DownloadedIf you need to download a file, the Web browser may request either that file via HTTP or may open an FTP session to another application running on the server. In essence, the computer opens a connection, requests a specific file, and specifies whether the file to be transferred as a binary or text file. The remote computer, upon receiving the request, authenticates the requestor computer and,upon successful authentication, delivers the file in the correct format. Now the page can be displayed.Page DisplayedAs your browser downloads and interprets the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)-- code, which the Web page is written in, it will display the contents of the page on your screen. If it encounters a tag that links to a graphic or audio file, the browser will use HTTP to request the file from the Web server and display it accordingly. If the file is not a .GIF or .JPG graphics file, the browser uses MIME to help identify the file and determine the correct application to process the data.SummaryThe Internet is a world-wide network of computers used to communicate, learn and play. You can access the Internet via dial-up modem, dedicated line, m...
