Understanding the foundational workings of the internet is crucial, even though it may seem like basic knowledge. Without this fundamental grasp, it becomes challenging to dive into the realm of website performance optimization. So, let's understand the working.

When you enter a web address such as 'Google.com' into your web browser, a series of behind-the-scenes actions unfolds. Initially, your request is directed to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), the company you pay for your Internet connection (like JIO, VI, AIRTEL, etc.). Your ISP then forwards your request to a Domain Name Server (DNS), which functions like a digital phone book, associating the URL with a specific IP address (e.g., 172.217.7.23).

This IP address serves as a unique identifier for a computer on the internet. Armed with this address, your web browser can locate the exact whereabouts of Google's servers. Servers essentially act as specialized computers that promptly respond to requests for web pages. They transmit the necessary files - encompassing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - to your browser to render the website.

The web browser, like Google Chrome, receives the IP address (e.g., 172.217.7.23) in response, but nothing appears on the screen just yet.

This IP address is a unique identifier for every device on the internet, including your laptop or computer. It is essential for the internet to function, as it helps determine locations and addresses.

With the IP address in hand, your browser initiates another request, this time to the Google servers or other servers. These servers are essentially specialized computers that house the website's files. (see above image)

Servers are essentially computers and they have a piece of software running, server knows how to send you files when you request for them. So we send this off and the servers say, 'Oh yeah, no problem, let me give you my HTML, CSS, and Javascript' files, think of them as just text files. They are text files that Google is going to send to the browser so we can have Google working.

This process may seem complex, but it all transpires in the blink of an eye.

You can even input the IP address directly into your browser's address bar, and it will seamlessly take you to Google. This underlying procedure underpins the fast and smooth internet experience that we all enjoy today.

So now you know how the internet works. Woah!😃