IT basics · Lesson 3 of 6 · About 10 minutes
Your network and the internet
Study the required lesson, then use the four questions to check your understanding.
Required reading
How does the internet work? · MDN · Free reading, no account needed.
Read “A simple network”, “A network of networks”, and “Internet and the web”. The four-number address is an IPv4 example; other IP address formats exist.
Open required reading ↗The reading opens in another tab. Return here for the checks.
Optional ITForMe explanation and example
A network connects devices so they can exchange data. A wired Ethernet link or a Wi-Fi connection can connect your device to a local network.
A switch connects devices within a local network. A router moves traffic between networks. A home box can combine a router, switch, and Wi-Fi access point, but these are different jobs.
An internet service provider (ISP) connects your network to other networks on the internet. A local connection can keep working even when the internet connection is unavailable.
Example: Two computers can reach a local printer while the ISP connection is down. Their local network still works; reaching an outside website needs a working path beyond that network.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer for each question. Feedback appears after submission.