wifi and cellular network
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"While working on projects at ALX, I have acquired a wealth of interesting and diverse knowledge about software engineering and computer science in general. Therefore, I needed a place to store and save all this information, allowing me to refer back to it whenever I forget."
CELLULAR NETWORK
When you browse www.google.com from your smartphone while not connected to Wi-Fi, your smartphone uses the cellular network provided by your mobile service provider. Mobile service providers typically use various generations of cellular networks, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G, to provide data connectivity to mobile devices.
When you initiate a request to access www.google.com on your smartphone, the request is sent from your device to the nearest cellular tower. From there, the request is routed through the mobile service provider's network infrastructure, which may involve multiple network nodes and routers. Eventually, the request reaches the internet and the appropriate network path to reach Google's servers.
The response from Google's servers follows the same path in reverse, passing through the cellular network infrastructure until it reaches your smartphone. The data is then displayed on your device's browser, allowing you to browse www.google.com and view the search results or access other Google services.
When using mobile data (not connected to Wi-Fi), your smartphone utilizes the cellular network provided by your mobile service provider to establish a connection to the internet and browse websites like www.google.com.
WIFI
When you use Wi-Fi to browse the internet on your smartphone, the process is slightly different compared to using cellular data. Here's an overview of what happens when you connect to Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi Connection: You first connect your smartphone to a Wi-Fi network. This network is typically provided by a wireless router or access point, which is connected to an internet service provider (ISP) or local network.
Local Network: Once connected, your smartphone becomes part of the local network created by the Wi-Fi router. This local network may consist of multiple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
IP Address Assignment: The Wi-Fi router assigns an IP address to your smartphone. This IP address allows your smartphone to communicate within the local network and access the internet.
Internet Access: The Wi-Fi router acts as a gateway between the local network and the internet. When you request to browse a website like www.google.com, your smartphone sends the request to the router.
Routing to the Internet: The Wi-Fi router receives your request and forwards it to your ISP's network infrastructure. This infrastructure routes the request through various network nodes and routers until it reaches the destination server (in this case, Google's server hosting www.google.com).
Response and Data Transfer: Google's server processes the request and sends the response back through the ISP's network infrastructure. The response follows the same path in reverse, reaching your smartphone via the Wi-Fi router.
Displaying the Website: Your smartphone receives the response, which contains the website data, and displays it on your browser, allowing you to view the website and interact with its content.
In summary, when using Wi-Fi, your smartphone connects to a local network created by a Wi-Fi router. This router acts as a gateway to the internet, facilitating the communication between your device and the websites or services you access. The router handles the routing of data between your device and the internet, enabling you to browse websites, access online services, and perform various online activities.
