CS: Networking: How the Internet Works Worksheet

Question 1

In your own words, explain what the Internet is. Include the idea of many connected networks in your answer.

Accepted Answer

The Internet is a huge system of connected computer networks. These networks allow devices around the world to send and receive information.

Question 2

A student sends a photo to a friend online. The photo is split into smaller pieces before it travels. What are these small pieces called, and why is splitting the photo helpful?

Accepted Answer

The small pieces are called packets. Splitting the photo into packets helps the information travel more efficiently, and the packets can be reassembled when they reach the friend.

Question 3

What is an IP address, and why does a device need one to use the Internet?

Accepted Answer

An IP address is a number or label that identifies a device on a network. A device needs an IP address so data can be sent to the correct destination.

Question 4

A packet leaves your laptop and travels through several routers before reaching a website. What job does a router do?

Accepted Answer

A router forwards packets from one network to another. It uses address information to help choose where each packet should go next.

Question 5

Explain the difference between a domain name and an IP address. Use the example www.example.com in your answer.

Accepted Answer

A domain name is a human-friendly name for a website, such as www.example.com. An IP address is the numerical address computers use to find the server for that website.

Question 6

What does DNS do when you type a website address into a browser?

Accepted Answer

DNS, or the Domain Name System, looks up the domain name and finds the matching IP address. This allows the browser to connect to the correct web server.

Question 7

Put these steps in the correct order: A. The website sends data back to your device. B. You type a domain name into a browser. C. DNS finds the website's IP address. D. Your browser requests the web page from the server.

Accepted Answer

The correct order is B, C, D, A. First you type a domain name, then DNS finds the IP address, then the browser requests the web page, and finally the website sends data back.

Question 8

Packets from the same message do not always take the exact same path across the Internet. Explain how the message can still arrive correctly.

Accepted Answer

Each packet contains information that helps it reach the destination and fit back into the message. When the packets arrive, the receiving device can put them back in the correct order.

Question 9

What is a protocol in networking? Give one example of a networking protocol.

Accepted Answer

A protocol is a set of rules that devices follow to communicate. One example is HTTP, which is used for loading web pages, or TCP, which helps deliver packets reliably.

Question 10

A video call becomes choppy and delayed. Name two possible network reasons this could happen.

Accepted Answer

A video call can become choppy if the connection has low bandwidth or high latency. It can also happen if many packets are delayed or lost during transmission.

Question 11

Explain the difference between bandwidth and latency.

Accepted Answer

Bandwidth is how much data can be sent over a connection in a certain amount of time. Latency is the delay between sending data and receiving a response.

Question 12

A classmate says, "The Internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing." Explain why this statement is not correct.

Accepted Answer

The statement is not correct because the Internet is the global network that connects devices and networks. The World Wide Web is one service that uses the Internet to access websites and web pages.

CS: Networking: How the Internet Works

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