The Internet, in brief, is a giant global network consisting of interconnected networks. You could call it “the network of networks”. Literally, the word expresses that each network - the smallest constituent of the Internet - is connected to other networks. The prefix “inter-” means “between” or “mutually”, and along with “network” it forms the word “Internet”.
The smallest constituents of the Internet include:
These networks are connected to each other and make up the Internet.
This illustration depicts how data is sent via the Internet. The data goes from the sender through many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and IXs (Internet eXchanges) to reach the receiver.
The Internet uses TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) for its communication system. TCP/IP divides communication data from many users into units called "packets" and sends them along a certain channel.
As the number of Internet users increases, communication data is occasionally delayed or goes missing. This is just like a traffic jam on a highway caused by convergence of too many cars. Some accident or malfunction during transmission also triggers delay or disappearance of data. In recent years, we have had fewer cases of congestion due to the spread of broadband. Nevertheless, it happens once in a while that pages cannot be displayed or data is delayed if a certain server's access numbers are too high.
The network of Meiji University is connected to ISPs such as SINET (Science Information Network) and IIJ (Internet Initiative Japan) via the Data Center. SINET is a network for academic research operated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and IIJ provides a network for commercial use, and both ISPs are well-known.
MIND stands for "Meiji University Integrated Network Domain", which is the network on campus operated with the aim of supporting academic research and education at Meiji. Unlike network use through general service providers, MIND is not permitted to be used for any purpose other than education, research and support of these. Also, users are limited to our students, faculty and staff and those who have permission from the Director of the Center for Information Science and Technology.
Connected to SINET and IIJ, MIND provides the students, faculty and staff at Meiji with a comfortable digital environment.