Demystifying the Web: What Happens When You Type https://www.google.com in Your Browser

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when you enter a web address like https://www.google.com into your browser and hit Enter? The process may seem simple on the surface, but beneath it lies a complex orchestration of various technologies and systems working together seamlessly to deliver web content to your screen. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the journey of your web request, covering DNS, TCP/IP, Firewall, HTTPS/SSL, Load-balancers, Web servers, Application servers, and Databases.

DNS REQUEST:

The journey begins with the Domain Name System (DNS). Your browser first sends a DNS request to resolve the human-readable domain name (www.google.com) into an IP address, which is the numerical address the internet understands. This request is usually handled by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or a DNS resolver.

TCP/IP:

Once the browser knows the IP address of the destination server, it establishes a connection using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) over the Internet Protocol (IP). TCP/IP ensures reliable data transmission by breaking it into packets and reassembling them at the destination.

FIREWALL:

Before your request reaches the web server, it may encounter a firewall, which acts as a security barrier. Firewalls filter incoming and outgoing traffic, allowing legitimate requests while blocking potentially harmful ones. Once the request passes through the firewall, it proceeds to the web server.

HTTPS/SSL:

In the modern web, security is paramount. To protect your data during transmission, most websites use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which is the encrypted version of HTTP. HTTPS relies on SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) to establish a secure, encrypted connection between your browser and the web server. This encryption ensures that your data remains private and secure while in transit.

LOAD-BALANCER:

Popular websites like Google handle an immense amount of traffic. To distribute this traffic evenly and ensure high availability, they often use load balancers. Load balancers distribute incoming requests among multiple web servers, optimizing performance and preventing any single server from becoming overwhelmed.

WEB SERVER:

Upon reaching the web server, your request is processed. In Google’s case, it could involve fetching search results, rendering a webpage, or performing other actions. The web server generates an appropriate response and sends it back to your browser through the same secure connection.

APPLICATION SERVER:

In more complex web applications, an additional layer called the application server might be involved. This server handles dynamic content generation, interacts with databases, and performs various tasks required to fulfill your request. For example, when you search for something on Google, the application server processes your query and retrieves relevant results from the database.

DATABASE:

Many web applications rely on databases to store and retrieve data. In Google’s case, the database would store indexed web pages, search results, and other data. The application server interacts with the database to retrieve the requested information and then presents it to the web server for delivery to your browser.

CONCLUSION:

The journey of a web request from the moment you hit Enter to the moment you see the webpage is a fascinating symphony of technologies and systems. Understanding this process, from DNS resolution to database interaction, gives you a deeper appreciation for the complexity and robustness of the modern web. Next time you type https://www.google.com, remember that it’s not just a simple URL; it’s a gateway to an intricate digital ecosystem that delivers the information you seek.

REFERENCES

• DNSimple. (n.d.). How DNS Works. Retrieved from: https://dnsimple.com/learn/how-dns-works
• Cloudflare. (n.d.). What Is DNS? Retrieved from: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-dns/
• Bonaventure, O. (n.d.). Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols, and Practice. [Online Book]. Retrieved from: [Link to the online book]
• SSL/TLS Working Group. (n.d.). About TLS. Retrieved from: https://datatracker.ietf.org/wg/tls/about/
• F5 Networks. (n.d.). Load Balancing. Retrieved from: https://www.f5.com/services/resources/glossary/load-balancing
• Apache Software Foundation. (n.d.). Apache HTTP Server Documentation. Retrieved from: https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/