Internet architecture 
 
 
In an internetwork separate networks are interconnected into a larger virtual network
All networks are treated as “equal”, such as:
- LANs
 - Frame Relay connections
 - Leased lines
 
Routing is based on Internet Protocol (IP) and its addresses
An IP address concists of a network prefix and the number of the node in the network
A routers forwards packets from one network into another based on the recipient’s IP address