What is Internet? ISP, IP Address, Domain, and URL
Delhi Police Exam - Computer Knowledge
1. Introduction
The Internet is a global network that connects millions of computers and electronic devices worldwide. It allows users to share information, communicate, and access online services like email, websites, and social media.
Simple Definition: The Internet is a worldwide network of computers connected through communication lines that allow sharing of data and resources.
2. What is the Internet?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A global system of interconnected computer networks |
| Full Form | Interconnected Network |
| Purpose | To exchange information and provide communication |
| Examples | Email, Web browsing, File sharing, Online banking |
| Invented by | ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), USA, in 1969 |
💡 Tip: The Internet is not a single network, but a network of networks.
3. What is an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A company that provides Internet access to users |
| Full Form | Internet Service Provider |
| Examples (India) | BSNL, Airtel, Jio, ACT Fibernet, Hathway |
| Functions | Provides Internet connectivity, IP address, bandwidth |
| Requirement | You must have an ISP to connect to the Internet |
⚠️ Important: Without an ISP, your computer cannot access the Internet.
4. What is an IP Address?
An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to the Internet. It acts like a digital home address for your device.
| Feature | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Internet Protocol Address | — |
| Purpose | Identifies a device on the network | — |
| Format | Numeric (IPv4 or IPv6) | IPv4: 192.168.1.1 |
| Versions | IPv4 (32-bit), IPv6 (128-bit) | IPv6: 2001:0db8::1 |
| Assigned by | ISP | — |
🏠 Analogy: Just as your home address helps people find your house, an IP address helps computers find each other online.
5. What is a Domain Name?
A Domain Name is the human-readable name of a website — easier to remember than IP addresses.
| Feature | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Represents the IP address of a website in a readable form | — |
| Structure | Consists of two or more parts separated by dots | www.google.com |
| Top-Level Domain (TLD) | The last part of a domain name | .com, .org, .gov, .in |
| Subdomain | Part before main domain | mail.google.com |
| Conversion | Domain name is converted to IP using DNS (Domain Name System) | — |
💡 Tip: Domain names are registered through organizations called Domain Registrars (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
6. What is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)?
A URL is the address of a web page on the Internet. It tells the browser where to find a resource (like a webpage or image).
Simple Definition: URL is the complete web address used to access a resource on the Internet.
| Feature | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Uniform Resource Locator | — |
| Purpose | Specifies location of a web page | https://www.couragelibrary.in/about |
| Parts | Protocol + Domain Name + Path | https:// + www.couragelibrary.in + /about |
| Common Protocols | HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, Mailto | — |
🔒 Security Tip: Always prefer HTTPS (Secure HTTP) for safe browsing — it encrypts data between browser and server.
7. Relationship Between IP, Domain, and URL
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| IP Address | Numeric address of a computer | 142.250.182.14 |
| Domain Name | Human-readable name mapped to IP | google.com |
| URL | Complete web address including protocol | https://www.google.com/search |
🔗 In short: URL → contains Domain → which maps to IP Address
8. Real-Life Analogy
Imagine you're sending a letter:
Internet
Postal system
ISP
Postal service provider
IP Address
House number
Domain Name
Person's name
URL
Full address written on the envelope
So, when you type a URL, your browser uses Domain Name → DNS → IP Address to reach the right computer — just like the postal system finds the correct house.
9. Common Delhi Police / SSC Exam Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full form of ISP | Internet Service Provider |
| Full form of IP | Internet Protocol |
| Full form of URL | Uniform Resource Locator |
| Function of DNS | Converts domain names into IP addresses |
| Example of ISP | Airtel, Jio, BSNL |
| Example of IPv4 | 192.168.0.1 |
| Example of IPv6 | 2001:db8::1 |
| What is Domain Name | Human-readable form of IP |
| What does URL contain | Protocol + Domain + Path |
10. Quick Recap
| Concept | Summary |
|---|---|
| Internet | Global network of computers |
| ISP | Provides Internet access |
| IP Address | Unique numeric identity for each device |
| Domain Name | Readable version of IP |
| URL | Complete address of a web page |
| DNS | Converts domain into IP |
| HTTPS | Secure version of HTTP |
✅ Exam Tip: Remember the sequence — Internet → ISP → IP Address → Domain → URL Each step helps your device find and access websites efficiently.
You've completed Internet Basics Concepts!
Courage Tip: Practice identifying the different components of URLs and understanding how they relate to each other. Remember the key full forms and functions of ISP, IP, DNS, and URL as these are frequently tested in computer knowledge exams.
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