Big Idea 4 - Computer Systems and Networks

Question 1

Bandwidth

Answer 1

Refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given amount of time.

Question 2

Computer Systems

Answer 2

Refer to the combination of hardware and software components that work together to perform tasks and process information. They include components such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and operating systems.

Question 3

Data Streams

Answer 3

Refer to a continuous flow of data that is being transmitted or received. It can be thought of as a steady stream of information flowing from one point to another.

Question 4

Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS)

Answer 4

An attempt by multiple compromised computers or devices to overwhelm a target website or network with excessive traffic, causing it to become slow or unavailable for legitimate users.

Question 5

Fault-Tolerant

Answer 5

Refers to systems or devices designed to continue functioning properly even when one or more components experience failures. These systems are resilient and can recover from faults without significant disruption.

Question 6

Internet

Answer 6

A global network of interconnected networks that allows computers and devices worldwide to communicate and share information. It provides access to various services such as email, websites, online gaming, and social media.

Question 7

Networks

Answer 7

Interconnected systems or devices that communicate with each other using wired or wireless connections. They enable data sharing, resource sharing, communication between users/devices over short or long distances.

Question 8

Packets

Answer 8

Small units of data that are sent over a network. They contain both the data being transmitted and information about where the data should be delivered.

Question 9

Parallel computing

Answer 9

Refers to the use of multiple processors or computers working together simultaneously to solve a problem. It involves breaking down a task into smaller subtasks that can be executed concurrently, resulting in faster processing time.

Question 10

Protocols

Answer 10

Sets of rules and standards that govern how devices communicate and exchange information with each other over a network.

Question 11

Receiver

Answer 11

The entity or device that receives and decodes the transmitted data or information from the sender. It is responsible for extracting meaningful information from the received message.

Question 12

Redundancy

Answer 12

Refers to the duplication of critical components or information in a system to ensure reliability and fault tolerance. It involves having backup systems or data that can be used if the primary ones fail.

Question 13

Router

Answer 13

A networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It determines the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination based on network conditions and routing tables.

Question 14

Routing

Answer 14

The process of selecting paths in a network along which data packets will travel from their source to their destination. It involves determining optimal routes based on factors such as speed, reliability, and congestion levels.

Question 15

Scalability

Answer 15

Refers to the ability of a system or network to handle an increasing amount of work or users without sacrificing performance or efficiency.

Question 16

Sender

Answer 16

The entity or device that initiates and transmits data or information to a receiver. It is responsible for encoding and transmitting the message.

Question 17

Sequential Computing

Answer 17

Refers to the traditional method of executing instructions in a computer program one after another, in a sequential order. It follows a linear path where each instruction is completed before moving on to the next.

Question 18

Server

Answer 18

A computer or system that provides resources, services, or functionality to other computers or devices on a network. It responds to requests from clients and delivers requested information or performs tasks.

Question 19

World Wide Web

Answer 19

An interconnected system of web pages and documents that are accessed over the internet. It allows users to navigate between different websites using hyperlinks and interact with various types of content like text, images, videos, and more.

Question 20

Computer network

Answer 20

A collection of interconnected devices, such as computers and servers, that are linked together to share resources and communicate with each other.

Question 21

Computing devices

Answer 21

Electronic machines capable of processing data. They include computers, smartphones, tablets, servers, and any other device that can perform computations.

Question 22

Computing systems

Answer 22

Encompass both hardware and software components working together to process data. They include all the necessary elements required for computation to occur effectively.

Question 23

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

Answer 23

An application protocol that enables communication between clients (such as web browsers) and servers over the internet. It defines how requests from clients are made and how responses from servers are formatted.

Question 24

Internet Protocols

Answer 24

A set of rules and guidelines that govern how data is transmitted over the internet. They ensure that devices can communicate with each other effectively and reliably.

Question 25

IP Address

Answer 25

A unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. It serves as an identifier for devices to communicate with each other over the internet.

Question 26

Megabits per second

Answer 26

A unit of measurement used to quantify the speed of data transmission in a network. It represents the number of million bits that can be transmitted in one second.

Question 27

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

Answer 27

A set of protocols that allows computers to communicate over the internet. It provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data packets.

Question 28

UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

Answer 28

A connectionless protocol that allows data to be sent across networks without establishing a dedicated connection. It provides fast transmission but does not guarantee delivery or order of packets.

Question 29

World Wide Web (WWW)

Answer 29

A system of interconnected documents and resources that are accessed through the internet. It allows users to navigate between different websites by clicking on hyperlinks.

Question 30

Cyberattacks

Answer 30

Deliberate attempts by individuals or groups to gain unauthorized access, disrupt operations, steal information, or cause damage through digital means such as hacking, malware attacks, phishing scams, etc.

Question 31

Failover Solutions

Answer 31

Backup systems or processes that automatically take over when the primary system fails, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing downtime.

Question 32

Hardware Malfunctions

Answer 32

Refer to issues or failures with physical computer components such as hard drives, memory modules, processors, etc., which can lead to system errors or crashes.

Question 33

Load Balancing

Answer 33

The process of distributing workloads across multiple computing resources such as servers, networks, or databases. It helps optimize resource utilization, improve performance, and prevent overload on individual resources.

Question 34

Node

Answer 34

Refers to a device or computer that is part of a network. It can be a computer, server, router, or any other device that is connected and able to communicate with other devices in the network.

Question 35

Routing System

Answer 35

A network component that determines the best path for data packets to travel from one network location to another. It uses routing protocols and algorithms to make decisions based on factors like network congestion, distance, and reliability.

Question 36

Cores

Answer 36

Refer to the individual processing units within a processor. Each core can independently execute instructions, allowing for parallel processing and increased performance.

Question 37

Distributed Computing

Answer 37

Refers to a system where multiple computers work together on a common task. The workload is divided among different machines connected over a network, enabling collaboration and resource sharing.

Question 38

Efficiency

Answer 38

Refers to how well a program or algorithm utilizes resources, such as time and memory. It measures the ability of a program to accomplish its task with minimal wasted resources.

Question 39

Execution Time

Answer 39

Refers to the amount of time it takes for a program or task to complete its execution on a computer system. It is influenced by factors such as processor speed, memory access, and the complexity of the program.

Question 40

Independent Steps

Answer 40

Refer to individual operations within an algorithm that do not rely on each other's results. These steps can be executed concurrently without affecting correctness.

Question 41

Processors

Answer 41

Electronic circuits that execute instructions and perform calculations. They act as the brain of a computer system, handling various tasks such as running programs, managing memory, and controlling input/output operations.

Question 42

Speedup

Answer 42

The measure of how much faster one solution or algorithm performs compared to another solution or algorithm when solving the same problem.