Networks, the Fifth Generation and Review
From Standalone Machines to the Internet and Web
Distinguish the Internet from the Web and connect dates to functional changes.
In this lesson
Lesson goals
Distinguish the Internet from the Web and connect dates to functional changes.
The idea explained
By the end of 1969, ARPANET connected four hosts. The 1 January 1983 transition to TCP/IP was a major internetworking milestone. The Web is a system of linked information operating over the Internet: Tim Berners-Lee proposed it at CERN in 1989. CERN placed Web software in the public domain on 30 April 1993, supporting broader adoption. Computer networking therefore predates Web pages.
Dates and milestones
- 1969: Four ARPANET hosts by year end.
- 1 January 1983: ARPANET transitions to TCP/IP.
- 1989: Web proposal at CERN.
- 30 April 1993: CERN releases Web software into the public domain.
Why was this a turning point?
The computer became a gateway to distributed information. The Web improved access rather than creating networking from scratch.
Activity: try before reading the answer
Can data travel over the Internet without opening a Web page? Give an example.
Answer and explanation
Yes, for example application-to-application traffic or email protocols. The Internet supplies connectivity; the Web is one system using it.