The Internet works by chopping data into chunks called packets. Each packet then moves through the network in a series of hops.
Sender
Entering the network
Each packet hops to a local Internet service provider (ISP), a company that offers access to the network -- usually for a fee.
Modem
Wireless
router
Taking flight
The next hop delivers the packet to a long-haul provider, one of the airlines of cyberspace that quickly carrying data across the world.
BGP
These providers use the Border Gateway Protocol to find a route across the many individual networks that together form the Internet.
Finding a route
This journey often takes several more hops, which are plotted out one by one as the data packet moves across the Internet.
Bad information
For the system to work properly, the BGP information shared among routers cannot contain lies or errors that might cause a packet to go off track – or get lost altogether.
Recipient’s ISP
Arrival
The final hop takes a packet to the recipient, which reassembles all of the packets into a coherent message. A separate message goes back through the network confirming successful delivery.
The Internet works by chopping data into chunks called packets. Each packet then moves through the network in a series of hops.
Entering the network
Each packet hops to a local Internet service provider (ISP), a company that offers access to the network -- usually for a fee.
Sender
Modem
Wireless
router
Taking flight
The next hop delivers the packet to a long-haul provider, one of the airlines of cyberspace that quickly carrying data across the world.
BGP
These providers use the Border Gateway Protocol to find a route across the many individual networks that together form the Internet.
Finding a route
This journey often takes several more hops, which are plotted out one by one as the data packet moves across the Internet.
Bad information
For the system to work properly, the BGP information shared among routers cannot contain lies or errors that might cause a packet to go off track – or get lost altogether.
Recipient’s ISP
Arrival
The final hop takes a packet to the recipient, which reassembles all of the packets into a coherent message. A separate message goes back through the network confirming successful delivery.
The Internet works by chopping data into chunks called packets. Each packet then moves through the network in a series of hops.
Sender
Wireless
router
Modem
Entering the network
Each packet hops to a local Internet service provider (ISP), a company that offers access to the network – usually for a fee.
Taking flight
The next hop delivers the packet to a long-haul provider, one of the airlines of cyberspace that quickly carrying data across the world.
BGP
These providers use the Border Gateway Protocol to find a route across the many individual networks that together form the Internet. This journey often takes several more hops, which are plotted out one by one as the data packet moves across the Internet.
Bad information
For the system to work properly, the BGP information shared among routers cannot contain lies or errors that might cause a packet to go off track – or get lost altogether.
Recipient’s ISP
Arrival
The final hop takes a packet to the recipient, which reassembles all of the packets into a coherent message. A separate message goes back through the network confirming successful delivery.