internet [English]

Syndetic Relationships

InterPARES Definition

n. ~ 1. A decentralized system that facilitates communication among computers and other devices on independent networks using TCP/IP and other communication protocols. – 2. (Obs.) Mechanisms for linking separate computer networks.

General Notes

The internet describes the infrastructure that enables a variety of services and uses. It is distinct from services it makes accessible, such as the World Wide Web, email, and the cloud.

Other Definitions

  • Gartner IT Glossary (†298 s.v. "internet"): A loose confederation of independent yet interconnected networks that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocols for communications. The Internet evolved from research done during the 1960s on a network called the ARPANet. It provides universal connectivity and three levels of network services: connectionless packet delivery, full-duplex stream delivery, and application-level services.
  • Gartner IT Glossary (†298 s.v. internet): A loose confederation of independent yet interconnected networks that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocols for communications. The Internet evolved from research done during the 1960s on a network called the ARPANet. It provides universal connectivity and three levels of network services: connectionless packet delivery, full-duplex stream delivery, and application-level services.
  • SAA Glossary 2005 (†241 ): (often net), n. ~ 1. An international telecommunications network that uses the TCP/IP protocol to connect smaller computer networks. – internet (uncapitalized), n. ~ 2. A connection of networks, possibly by means of the Internet. Notes: The Internet1 is not synonymous with the World Wide Web. The latter is a service that is provided using the Internet. The Internet can be used for a variety of other services, including file transfer, telnet, email, and instant messaging. The Internet grew out of Department of Defense research to develop a robust communications system that could withstand significant damage to the physical network, especially damage caused by a nuclear war. That original network was called ARPAnet.
  • Wikipedia (†387 s.v. internet): A global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link several billion devices worldwide. It is an international network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government packet switched networks, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.

Citations

  • CNSS-4009 (†730 p.39): The Internet is the single, interconnected, worldwide system of commercial, governmental, educational, and other computer networks that share (a) the protocol suite specified by the IAB and (b) the name and address spaces managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). (†1738)
  • ISACA Glossary (†743 s.v. internet): 1. Two or more networks connected by a router. 2. The world’s largest network using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to link government, university and commercial institutions. (†1784)
  • ITrust Africa - Launch Report 2014 (†399 n.p.): Often the Internet is referred to as the Cloud. Technically this is a misuse of terms. I will use the term Internet provider to refer to “entities providing users the ability to communicate through a computer system that processes or stores computer data on behalf of such communication or users.” (Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, 2001). Therefore, there are three “actions” related to the definition of provider: communication, data processing and data storage. [Duranti] (†448)