Understanding The Internet

Initiated as a network between two computers using a phone line this phenomenon has grown exponentially into an indispensable extension of our lives. How we communicate, search for information to satisfy our queries and conduct eCommerce all depends upon this extensive networking of computers and servers using various kinds of communication lines not only the phone.  

Within this vast network exists small private networks, institutional networks closed groups and many social media platforms that play varied roles.

WWW

The websites are hosted on the cyber space provided by the servers and then networked. This exponentially expanding space is known as the WWW or World Wide Web. Each resource is having a unique locator called URL which stands for universal resource locator.       

IP Address

Since the Internet is a web of millions of computers each computer must have a recognition and this comes about by each having an IP address. The protocol denotes that the IP address should be a number ranging from 0 to 255 in format nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn

A computer always has a unique IP address but in various types of networks a temporary address can be assigned during the connected session. This can happen in the case of LAN through the DHCP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. In case of ISP or Internet Service Provider a temporary IP address is assigned.      

Packets & Protocol Stack & TCP/IP 

The Internet date flowing from a computer through a phone line is always in manageable packets which are electronic signals they are then converted back into alphabetical signals on your machine. This is done using the protocol stack which is built into the operating system. The protocol is referred as TCP/IP.      

The message flow from one computer to another is through the application to the hardware Ethernet cable and modem to another computer hardware using the Internet. Here it is sent to the application using the protocol.   

Hence   

Application
TCP  to specific application using a port number

IP  to specific computer using IP address
Hardware  

A reverse sequence then followed using the TCP/IP protocol.  

Page Rank What it is?

Contrary to belief PageRank does not refer to the web page it is named after Larry Page the co-founder of Google Inc.  along with Sergey Brin.  

PageRank is analysis of links pointing to a website the value is derived from the weight of set of documents that contain the link.  It is a complex algorithm which contains many other factors as well. The links on the WWW pointing to a webpage are seen as votes for that page. Hence if a link from page A points to a page B it is passing a vote to it. But the whole webgraph comes into the picture when according a rank.

The PageRank metrics of all pages that link to a webpage are taken into consideration. The pages are ranked from 0 to 10 of which the highest rank 10 is assigned to the most authoritative site. It is believed that page rank does not influence the position on the SERPs since ranking on SERPs depends upon the response to the query. What  that means that how relevant is the webpage for the query. 

The rank is how Google looks at the webpage or website. It is also a value system on the WWW especially for those seeking backlinks and those interested in a link exchange scheme. To the average visitor this ranking system is unknown but for some it creates trust and authority.  The actual ranking system has not been disclosed. 

The PageRank is subject to manipulation this can happen by participating in dubious link schemes and paid text links.  Being a trade secret it is difficult to know how the leading search company determines to penalize as website.

The rank as shown by the Google Toolbar is only a rough guide to what the search company actually has determined. Google updates the rank of the website only few times a year. For greater information read the Google Web Master Central Blog.  One of the blog entry advises web master not to look at this ranking system as sole mertic for the success of a website. 

In short this system is just one of the factors in rankings on SERPs. One need not be much concerned with it. I use this system more as a yardstick in order to create a more authoritative website. What matters on the search side is relevance.