How the Internet works: what happens when you type in a website address

You open the browser, enter www.example.com and press Enter. After a second, the page is already loaded. But what's going on behind the scenes? In fact, there is a whole chain of technological processes that make the very existence of the Internet possible.

Let's break it down step by step 👇

1. DNS is the "phone book" of the Internet

Computers don't understand words like "example.com". They exchange numbers — IP addresses. To translate the name of the site into IP, there is DNS (Domain Name System) — a global distributed database.

When you enter a website address, the browser sends a request to the DNS server. It returns the IP address of the desired server. Now the computer knows where to go.

Example: www.google.com → 142.250.190.78

2. Establishing a connection — HTTP and HTTPS protocols

Knowing the IP address, the browser initiates a connection to the server. This happens according to the protocol HTTP or its protected version HTTPS.

• HTTP — a common protocol for data exchange between a client and a server.

• HTTPS — the same protocol, but with encryption using SSL/TLS, so that data cannot be intercepted.

If you see a lock next to the address, the connection is protected 🔒

3. Request and data packages

Browser sends HTTP request to the server. It's like a letter that says exactly what you want to get — for example, the main page of the site.

The Internet does not transmit data in its entirety, but in small pieces — packages. Each packet goes on its own route through many devices and servers until it reaches its destination.

When all the packets arrive, they are collected back into a single response — HTML page, styles, scripts and images.

4. Journey through the network

Each package passes through routers - special devices that choose the optimal path on the global network. One package can go through Germany, another through Finland, but in the end they will all come together on your computer.

This makes the Internet stable: if there is a break somewhere, the packets will find another route.

5. Response from the server

The server receives a request, processes it and sends back the result. This can be:

• HTML file — page structure;

• CSS — design and colors;

• JavaScript — logic and interactivity;

• Images, videos, and other resources.

The response is returned in the same way — in the form of data packets that the browser collects back.

6. How does the browser draw a page?

Now the magic of rendering begins. The browser sequentially:

1. Parses HTML and builds the document structure (DOM).

2. Applies styles from CSS (creates CSSOM).

3. It runs JavaScript, which adds interactivity and dynamism.

4. Renders everything on the screen.

That's why sites load in stages: first the text, then the pictures, then the animations.

7. Caching — acceleration when re-entering

To speed up loading, the browser saves some data (images, styles, fonts) in cache. The next time you visit, you don't need to download these files again — the page opens instantly.

So, here's what happens in the seconds after you press Enter:

1. The browser is looking for IP through DNS.

2. Establishes an HTTPS connection.

3. Sends an HTTP request.

4. Data is transmitted in packets over the network.

5. The server responds with HTML, CSS, and JS.

6. The browser displays the page.

7. Files are cached for speed.

All this in a split second. The Internet is truly incredible

In the attachment Code you can learn the basics of networking, web development, and protocols. You will learn how the Internet works from the inside, how to write your own servers and analyze queries. And in Telegram channel Kodika can discuss all this with other students and ask questions.

Have you ever wondered what happens after you press Enter? Write in the comments which stage surprised you the most.