What are Internet made of? (LAN, ISP, POP, NAP)

People talk about LAN, ISP, POP, NAP, what are they talking about?

LAN, ISP, POP, NAP

Every computer that is connected to the Internet is part of a network, even the one in your home. For example, you may use a modem and dial a local number to connect to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). At work, you may be part of a local area network (LAN), but you most likely still connect to the Internet using an ISP that your company has contracted with. When you connect to your ISP, you become part of their network. The ISP may then connect to a larger network and become part of their network. The Internet is simply a network of networks.
Most large communications companies have their own dedicated backbones connecting various regions. In each region, the company has a Point of Presence (POP). The POP is a place for local users to access the company's network, often through a local phone number or dedicated line. The amazing thing here is that there is no overall controlling network. Instead, there are several high-level networks connecting to each other through (Network Access Points) NAPs.
Today's Take home:

LAN (local area network):
Computer network covering a small physical area, like your home, office, or a few buildings, such as a school, or an airport.

ISP (internet service provider):
The company that sells Internet access plan to you (their typical slogan: fast internet connetion...blablabla...)

POP (point of presence):
an access point from one place to the rest of the Internet. A phrase only matters to the ISP sells guy. Your Internet service provider (ISP) has a point-of-presence on the Internet and probably more than one. The number of POPs that an ISP has is sometimes used as a measure of its size or growth rate.

NAP (network access points):
Short for network access point, a public network exchange facility where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can connect with one another in peering arrangements. The NAPs are a key component of the Internet backbone because the connections within them determine how traffic is routed. They are also the points of most Internet congestion.


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