The Internet is the largest and most well-known network linking millions of computers through­out the world. Both individuals and businesses have found uses for this network Individuals use the Internet to access information, communicate with family and friends, and purchase products and services. Businesses use the Internet to com­municate with customers and vendors, sell their products and services, and provide customer support.

The Internet is a vast WAN that connects computers and computer networks through a series of routers. The routers direct Internet traffic in the same way that routers direct phone calls. When you request a Website on the Internet by typing a URL or when you click through to a new site, you are essentially dialling a new number and connecting to another computer or server. Think­ing of it in this way will help to visualize how the system works.

The Internet of today grew from seeds planted by the United States government. On December 6, 1967, the Defense Department is­sued a $19,800 contract for the purpose of studying the design and specification of a com­puter network From that study grew a network called the ARPANET, and from ARPANET emerged the Internet.’ The original goal of the network was to link the top researchers at uni­versities around the country through their com­puters. The goal was to increase the ability to share ideas and discoveries. Because of the way the information was transmitted, a side benefit was that this communication network could continue to operate even if a part of it was not working. In the 1990s this network was turned over to commercial providers, and the Internet was created.

How you access the Internet depends on the Internet service provider (ISP) that you select. An ISP is a business or organization that sells access to the Internet and related services. As the Internet has grown, the number of ISPs has grown as well. A variety of technologies are available to connect to the Internet. Cable television companies, phone companies, cell phone companies, and even local computer businesses all sell access to their Inter­net connection service. You should research the fees, the type of connections that are offered, and the services that are included before deciding on an ISP.

The Internet in South Africa

The Internet in South Africa commenced when the first sustainable e-mail link was established in 1988 between Rhodes University in Grahamstown and a private home in Portland, Oregon. This link was later connected to the Internet. At about the same time the Foundation for Research and Development started the Universities Network (UNINET). Before that, around 1986, there were two networks between South African universities: one between Rhodes University, the University of Cape Town and the University of Natal in the south, and another between Potchefstroom University, Wits, the University of Pretoria and the CSIR in the north. Other universities soon joined as a result of UNINET and later the two networks were connected to each other. But in 1989 access to the world-wide Internet was restricted because of the political situation in South Africa.

Developments in UNINET and the end of apartheid helped propel South Africa into the top 20 connected countries in the world. At the end of December 2019, South Africa had over 32 million internet users.