Untitled Deck Flashcards
(16 cards)
At its most fundamental level, what is the internet?
The internet is a global network of routers. It’s essentially a massive interconnected system where routers direct data between connected computers worldwide.
What is a network in the context of computing?
A network is a group of connected computers that can communicate and share resources with each other.
What is the primary function of routers in the internet infrastructure?
Routers are devices that help direct transferred data to the right place - specifically to the correct IP address. They act as traffic directors for internet data.
Why is data divided into packets before transmission, and what problem does this solve?
Data is divided into smaller, manageable pieces called packets to make transmission more efficient and reliable. Large files would be impractical to send as single units and more prone to errors or loss.
What are the two main components of a data packet and what does each contain?
- Header: Contains metadata about source location, destination, and which piece of the whole data it represents 2. Payload: Contains the actual piece of content/data being transmitted
What is an IP address and why is it essential for internet communication?
An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to every device on the internet. It encodes all the information necessary to locate that specific device in the global network.
You want to visit a website but only know its domain name, not its IP address. What system makes this possible and how?
The DNS (Domain Name System) maps human-readable domain names to IP addresses. When you type a domain name, DNS translates it to the corresponding IP address so your request can be routed correctly.
What are protocols in internet communication and why are they necessary?
Protocols are sets of rules and standards that make communication between computers possible. They provide a way for computers to understand what the packets they receive actually mean and how to process them.
What are ports and what problem do they solve for operating systems?
Ports are numerical values assigned to software and services. They help the operating system direct incoming data to the specific applications or services that should handle it, rather than the OS not knowing where to send the data.
Walk through what happens when you request a webpage: from typing the URL to receiving the content.
- DNS translates domain name to IP address 2. Your request is divided into packets with headers and payload 3. Routers direct packets across the internet to the destination IP 4. Server receives packets, processes request using protocols 5. Response data is packetized and routed back 6. Your device reassembles packets and displays content
A packet arrives at your computer with destination port 80. What type of service is this likely intended for and why?
This is likely web traffic (HTTP). Port 80 is the standard port for HTTP web services. The port number tells the OS to direct this data to the web browser or web server software.
What would happen to internet communication if there were no standardized protocols?
Computers wouldn’t be able to understand each other’s data. Each system would send data in its own format, making communication impossible between different types of devices and software.
Why can’t we just use domain names instead of IP addresses for all internet communication?
Domain names are human-readable but computers need precise numerical addresses (IP addresses) to route data efficiently. DNS serves as the translation layer between human convenience and machine requirements.
You’re sending a large video file over the internet. Explain why it gets broken into packets and what information each packet needs to carry.
Large files are broken into packets for efficient transmission and error recovery. Each packet needs: Header with source IP, destination IP, sequence number (which piece it is), and protocol info. Payload with the actual video data chunk.
Compare the roles of routers, DNS, and protocols in internet communication.
Routers: Physical traffic directors moving packets between networks. DNS: Translation service converting names to addresses. Protocols: Communication rules ensuring data is understood correctly. All three are essential for internet functionality.
What is the relationship between IP addresses, ports, and services on a networked device?
IP address identifies the device on the network. Ports identify specific services or applications on that device. Together, IP:Port creates a complete address for reaching a specific service on a specific device.
