Demystifying the Journey of a Click: What Happens When You Type https://www.google.com in Your Browser and Press Enter

Introduction

Have you ever wondered about the complex behind-the-scenes process that unfolds when you type a web address like https://www.google.com into your browser and hit Enter? It might seem like a simple action, but a multitude of intricate steps occur to ensure you reach your destination on the World Wide Web. In this blog post, we'll delve into the journey your request takes, covering DNS requests, TCP/IP, firewalls, HTTPS/SSL, load-balancers, web servers, application servers, and databases.

1. DNS Request:

The journey begins with the Domain Name System (DNS). Your web browser needs to know the IP address of the website you want to visit. When you enter "https://www.google.com ," your browser sends a DNS request to a DNS server to resolve the human-readable domain name (www.google.com ) into an IP address (e.g., 172.217.7.100).

1. TCP/IP:

With the IP address in hand, your browser establishes a connection using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). TCP ensures reliable data transmission by creating a connection between your device and the target server, allowing for data to be exchanged in a structured and ordered manner.

1. Firewall:

Before your request can proceed any further, it encounters a firewall. Firewalls act as security barriers, scrutinizing incoming and outgoing traffic to safeguard against unauthorized access or malicious activity. If your request meets the firewall's criteria, it's allowed to proceed.

1. HTTPS/SSL:

For secure communication between your browser and the web server, HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is used. This involves encryption via SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its modern successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security). This encryption ensures that data transmitted between your browser and the web server remains confidential and integral.

1. Load-Balancer:

Many popular websites, like Google, rely on load balancers to distribute incoming requests across multiple web servers. Load balancers help distribute the load evenly and ensure that the website remains responsive even during high traffic periods. They monitor the health of the servers and direct traffic accordingly.

1. Web Server:

Once your request reaches a web server, it gets processed. The web server fetches the necessary web page content, which might include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other resources. It then packages this content and sends it back to your browser.

1. Application Server:

In many cases, the web server forwards dynamic requests to an application server, where more complex tasks are performed. For instance, when you perform a search on Google, the application server handles your query, retrieves results from a database, and returns them to the web server for display.

1. Database:

Behind the scenes, the application server often interacts with a database. Databases store and manage data, like user accounts, search results, and other dynamic information. When you search on Google, the application server queries its databases to retrieve relevant results, which are then presented to you in your browser.

Conclusion

What appears to be a simple act of typing a web address and pressing Enter is actually a fascinating journey through multiple layers of technology and infrastructure. From DNS resolution to secure HTTPS connections, load balancing, web and application servers, and database interaction, the intricacies behind the scenes ensure that you receive the web content you desire. Understanding this process can help you appreciate the complexity of the internet and the tremendous effort that goes into delivering a seamless web browsing experience.