The Internet - AP Computer Science Principles

1. Which layer of the OSI model does IP operate on?

   IP operates on the Network layer. Layer 3 handles logical addressing and routing between different networks.

2. What is the primary benefit of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

   A VPN provides secure and encrypted connections. It creates a secure tunnel for data transmission over public networks.

3. What is latency in the context of network performance?

   Latency is the delay before data transfer begins following an instruction. Lower latency means faster response times for network communications.

4. What is the main function of an IP address?

   An IP address uniquely identifies devices on a network. It serves as the network equivalent of a postal address for devices.

5. What is the role of a MAC address in a network?

   A MAC address uniquely identifies a device on a local network. It operates at the data link layer for physical device identification.

6. What is the main purpose of a firewall in network security?

   A firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic. It acts as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external ones.

7. What type of network topology is characterized by centralized control?

   Star topology. All devices connect through a central hub, providing centralized management.

8. What is the function of the Transport Layer in networking?

   The Transport Layer ensures reliable data transfer. Layer 4 provides end-to-end communication services like TCP and UDP.

9. Which protocol resolves domain names to IP addresses?

   Domain Name System (DNS). It converts human-readable website names into machine-readable IP addresses.

10. Identify the protocol used for sending email.

    Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). It handles outgoing mail transmission between mail servers.

11. What is the primary purpose of the Internet Protocol (IP)?

    IP is used for addressing and routing packets between computers. This enables computers to find and communicate with each other across networks.

12. In which layer of the OSI model does HTTP operate?

    HTTP operates on the Application layer. Layer 7 handles user interface and network services for applications.

13. What is the main purpose of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)?

    ICMP is used for sending error messages and operational information. It enables network troubleshooting and status reporting between devices.

14. What is the primary function of the Transport Layer Security (TLS)?

    TLS provides secure communication over a computer network. It encrypts data to prevent eavesdropping during network communication.

15. Which service translates human-friendly domain names to IP addresses?

    Domain Name System (DNS). It eliminates the need to memorize numerical IP addresses for websites.

16. What does VoIP stand for and facilitate?

    Voice over Internet Protocol; it facilitates voice communication over the Internet. It enables phone calls using Internet connections instead of traditional lines.

17. Which device connects different network segments within a network?

    A switch connects different network segments. It creates separate collision domains and improves network performance.

18. What does HTTPS add to HTTP to secure data transmission?

    HTTPS adds encryption via SSL/TLS. This protects data from eavesdropping and tampering during transmission.

19. Identify the main function of the Domain Name System (DNS).

    DNS translates domain names to IP addresses. This allows users to access websites using memorable names instead of numbers.

20. What does SSL/TLS stand for and provide in networking?

    Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security; encryption. These protocols create secure channels for sensitive data transmission.

21. Define packet switching in the context of networking.

    Packet switching divides data into packets for transmission. This allows efficient use of network resources and enables fault tolerance.

22. What is the purpose of Network Address Translation (NAT)?

    NAT translates private IP addresses to a public IP address. This allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address.

23. Which protocol is commonly used for retrieving email?

    Post Office Protocol (POP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). These protocols handle downloading email from servers to client devices.

24. What is the primary function of a modem in a network?

    A modem modulates and demodulates signals for transmission. It converts digital data to analog signals for transmission over phone lines.

25. What is the purpose of a subnet mask in IP networking?

    A subnet mask divides the IP address into network and host parts. This enables efficient IP address allocation and network organization.

26. Which wireless security protocol is considered more secure, WPA or WEP?

    Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is more secure. WPA uses stronger encryption algorithms than the outdated WEP standard.

27. What is a key characteristic of peer-to-peer (P2P) networking?

    In P2P, each node can act as both client and server. This decentralized approach eliminates the need for dedicated servers.

28. Identify a key difference between TCP and UDP.

    TCP is connection-oriented; UDP is connectionless. TCP guarantees delivery; UDP prioritizes speed over reliability.

29. What does HTTP stand for in the context of web communication?

    Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It defines how web browsers and servers communicate on the World Wide Web.

30. Identify the protocol used for transferring web pages on the Internet.

    Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It defines how web browsers request and receive webpage content.

31. Identify the primary function of a proxy server.

    A proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and servers. It can provide caching, filtering, and anonymity for network requests.

32. Identify the standard protocol for wireless networking.

    IEEE 802.11, also known as Wi-Fi. This standard enables wireless communication between devices and networks.

33. What is the role of an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

    ISPs provide access to the Internet. They act as intermediaries connecting homes and businesses to the global Internet.

34. Which protocol is primarily responsible for reliable data transmission?

    Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). It ensures packets arrive in order and handles error correction.

35. What does TCP/IP stand for?

    Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This suite of protocols forms the foundation of Internet communication.

36. Define bandwidth in the context of Internet connectivity.

    Bandwidth is the maximum data transfer rate of a network. It determines how much data can flow through a connection per unit time.

37. Which protocol is used for secure file transfers over a network?

    Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). It combines FTP functionality with SSH encryption for secure transfers.

38. What is the role of a router in a network?

    A router directs data packets between networks. It determines the best path for data to travel across interconnected networks.

39. Distinguish between IPv4 and IPv6 in terms of address length.

    IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses. IPv6's longer addresses solve IPv4's address exhaustion problem.

40. What is the primary use of the File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

    FTP is used to transfer files between computers. It enables file uploads, downloads, and remote file management.

Study these flashcards