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The Internet
The high speed, large capacity data paths that run between these high-level connection points (the NAPs, MAEs, etc.) are what form the Internet backbone. If you are viewing a web site across the country, your data will have travelled over the backbone. Because, in the United States, the backbone is provided by commercial companies, something on the order of 50 different companies transfer data between the NAPs, MAEs, etc. over their high-speed lines. These companies agree to work with each other to pass data over each other's networks (otherwise customers on one network would not be able to communicate with customers on another network). This cooperation is called "peering". And the companies who operate at this level of data transfer are called "Tier 1" companies. Sprint, MCI WorldCom, and GTE are just a few of the names of Tier 1 companies.
But, you say, I don't live anywhere near one of those NAP or MAE thingys. Well, chances are pretty good that you aren't directly connected to one of those NAP or MAE thingys even if you live right across the street. In general, smaller, regional networks bring the data from one of those major intersections to you. These regional networks are run by companies that are called "Tier 2" companies. Unlike the Tier 1 companies which will run data paths between all of the NAPs and MAEs, a Tier 2 company may connect to just one NAP or MAE (the one in the geographic region).
The data has arrived in your geographic location, but it is still not in your computer yet because we have one more level to go -- the "Tier 3" company, which will take the data from the regional network and will deliver it to you. These companies are the ISPs. They provide access for businesses and homes to link to the Internet.
So, what do we have?
- The NAPs, MAEs, etc., form the focal point for all major data transfers.
- The Internet backbone ships data between these transfer points via Tier 1 providers.
- The second tier companies connect generally to the transfer point in their geographic location to bring the data off the backbone onto the regional network.
- The third tier ISPs connect to the second tier network and provide a way for customers (businesses and regular folks) to connect their own computer to the second tier network.
The above is an over-simplified picture. Some companies play in more than a single tier, for example. And, companies have provided more connection points for data transfer than just the major NAPs, MAEs, etc. This situation makes sense because if two customers are on different providers' networks in one city, there is no reason to ship the data all the way to the nearest NAP or MAE; the two providers may decide to set up a transfer point at a location where they both have a "point of presence" or POP. (This POP is not the same POP as in POP email -- the POP in POP email stands for Post Office Protocol. Don't you just love acryonyms?) Having many tranfer points means keeping data moving more directly toward its destination and reduces overall congestion on the Internet.
Of course, you can access data in other countries besides the United States. Around the world various access points have been set up where data can be transferred. And within countries, networks have been created to move the information from these transfer points to individuals.
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