Chapter 11 - The Internet: A Study Guide

Quiz

1. What is a computer network, and what is required for devices on a network to

communicate? A computer network is a system that enables computing devices
to communicate with each other. For devices to communicate, they must use a
common communications protocol, which is a set of rules governing how
information is exchanged.

2. Explain the fundamental difference between a network client and a network

server. A network client initiates communication by making outbound
connections and requesting services from servers. In contrast, a network server
listens for inbound network connections and provides services to other hosts on
the network.

3. What is the purpose of the internet protocol suite, and what are its two
foundational protocols? The internet protocol suite standardizes the method of
communication on the internet, ensuring all devices speak the same "language."
Its two foundational protocols are the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and
the Internet Protocol (IP), collectively known as TCP/IP.

4. Describe the four layers of the TCP/IP model, starting from the bottom. The four
layers of the TCP/IP model are the link layer, which handles communication on a
local network; the internet layer, responsible for addressing and routing data
across networks; the transport layer, providing a communication channel for
applications; and the application layer, which provides application-specific
functionality.

5. What is the primary function of the Internet Protocol (IP), and what is an IP
address? The primary function of IP is to enable routing, which is the process of
determining a path for data transmitted between networks. An IP address is a
numerical label assigned to each host on the internet, uniquely identifying it on
the global network.

6. Explain the concept of a subnet and how a subnet mask helps in identifying
devices within the same subnet. A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP
network where computers connected to the same local network have IP
addresses that begin with the same leading bits. A subnet mask is a 32-bit
number that identifies the network prefix by using binary 1s and the host
identifier by using binary 0s; it helps determine if two IP addresses are on the
same subnet.

7. What are the key differences between the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) at the transport layer? TCP provides a
reliable, connection-oriented communication channel that ensures data arrives
in order, with error checking and retransmission. UDP, on the other hand, is a
connectionless, "best effort" protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability and
does not guarantee delivery or order.

8. What is a network port number, and what role do well-known ports play in
network communication? A network port number is a numerical identifier
included in the transport layer header that specifies the particular service or
process on a host that should receive the data. Well-known ports are those in the
range of 0 to 1,023 and are standardized for common services, making it easier
for clients to connect to servers.

9. Explain the purpose of the Domain Name System (DNS) and the process of
resolving a hostname. DNS is an internet service that translates human-readable
domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to
communicate. Resolving a hostname involves a client querying a DNS server for
the IP address associated with a specific domain name; the DNS server then
returns the corresponding IP address.

10. What is Network Address Translation (NAT), and why is it a crucial technology for
home networks? NAT is a process that allows multiple devices on a private
network to share a single public IP address when communicating with the
internet. It is crucial for home networks because most internet service providers
only assign a single public IP address to a residential customer, enabling
multiple devices within the home to access the internet simultaneously.

Answer Key

1. A computer network is a system that enables computing devices to

communicate with each other. For devices to communicate, they must use a
common communications protocol, which is a set of rules governing how
information is exchanged.

2. A network client initiates communication by making outbound connections and

requesting services from servers. In contrast, a network server listens for
inbound network connections and provides services to other hosts on the
network.

3. The internet protocol suite standardizes the method of communication on the

internet, ensuring all devices speak the same "language." Its two foundational
protocols are the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol
(IP), collectively known as TCP/IP.

4. The four layers of the TCP/IP model are the link layer (local network
communication), the internet layer (addressing and routing), the transport layer
(communication channel for applications), and the application layer
(application-specific functionality).

5. The primary function of IP is to enable routing, which is the process of

determining a path for data transmitted between networks. An IP address is a
numerical label assigned to each host on the internet, uniquely identifying it on
the global network.

6. A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network where computers on the same

local network share leading bits in their IP addresses. A subnet mask identifies
the network and host portions of an IP address, allowing devices to determine if
they are on the same subnet by comparing network IDs (obtained through a
bitwise AND operation).

7. TCP provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked data delivery through

connections, while UDP offers fast but unreliable, connectionless data transfer.

8. A network port number identifies a specific service or process running on a host.

Well-known ports (0-1023) are reserved for standard services, allowing clients to
easily find and connect to common server applications.

9. DNS translates human-friendly domain names into numerical IP addresses,

making it easier for users to access online resources. Hostname resolution is the
process of querying a DNS server to obtain the IP address associated with a
given hostname.

10. NAT enables multiple devices on a private network (using private IP addresses) to
share a single public IP address when accessing the internet. This is essential for
home networks as ISPs typically provide only one public IP address per
household.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the layered model of network protocols, focusing on the benefits of this
abstraction. Explain how the TCP/IP model encapsulates data as it moves down
the protocol stack when a client sends a request to a server.

2. Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of the internet layer and the
transport layer in the TCP/IP model. Provide specific examples of protocols at
each layer and how they contribute to end-to-end communication.

3. Explain the necessity and functionality of both Dynamic Host Configuration

Protocol (DHCP) and Network Address Translation (NAT) in modern internet
access for home users. Describe the steps involved in obtaining an IP address
via DHCP and how NAT allows multiple devices to share a single public IP
address.
4. Describe the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy and the process a DNS
resolver might undertake to find the IP address for a given fully qualified domain
name (FQDN). Discuss the benefits of DNS for internet users compared to solely
using IP addresses.

5. Analyze the journey of a web request from a client's browser to a web server and
back, detailing the involvement of each layer of the TCP/IP model and key
networking devices encountered along the way (e.g., routers, switches).

Glossary of Key Terms

• Computer Network: A system that allows computing devices to communicate

with each other.

• Protocol: A set of rules that describe how information is to be exchanged

between computing devices.

• Internet: A globally connected set of computer networks that all use a suite of
common protocols (TCP/IP).

• Host/Node: A single computing device attached to a network.

• Server: A host that listens for inbound network connections and provides
services to other hosts (can refer to software or specialized hardware).

• Client: A host that makes outbound connections and requests services from
network servers.

• Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP Model): A standardized model for

communication on the internet, typically described with four layers: link,
internet, transport, and application.

• Link Layer: The lowest layer of the TCP/IP model, responsible for communication
on a local network. Examples include Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

• MAC Address (Media Access Control Address): A unique physical address

assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for communication within a local
network.

• Frame: A small unit of data at the link layer, containing a header (including MAC
addresses), a payload of data, and a footer for error detection.

• Hub: A basic link layer networking device that connects multiple devices on a
local network and retransmits every received frame to all other ports.

• Switch: A more intelligent link layer device that examines MAC addresses in
frames and forwards them only to the port connected to the destination MAC
address.
• Internet Layer: The second layer of the TCP/IP model, responsible for addressing
hosts (using IP addresses) and routing data across networks. The primary
protocol is IP.

• IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): A numerical label assigned to each

device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for
communication.

• Packet: A unit of data at the internet layer, containing a header (including IP

addresses) and a payload.

• Router: A networking device that connects different networks or subnets and

forwards data packets between them based on IP addresses.

• Subnet: A logical subdivision of an IP network.

• Subnet Mask: A 32-bit number used to identify the network prefix and the host
identifier within an IP address.

• CIDR Notation (Classless Inter-Domain Routing): A compact way to represent

an IP address and its associated routing prefix (e.g., 192.168.1.23/24).

• Network ID: The first address in a subnet, obtained by performing a bitwise AND
operation of an IP address and its subnet mask. It identifies the subnet itself.

• Transport Layer: The third layer of the TCP/IP model, providing a communication
channel for applications. Key protocols are TCP and UDP.

• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): A reliable, connection-oriented transport

layer protocol that ensures ordered and error-checked delivery of data (data
units are called segments).

• UDP (User Datagram Protocol): An unreliable, connectionless transport layer

protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability (data units are called datagrams).

• Port Number: A numerical identifier that specifies a particular service or

process on a host.

• Well-Known Ports: Port numbers in the range of 0 to 1,023, reserved for

common network services.

• Ephemeral Ports: Temporary port numbers assigned by the operating system to

a client for the duration of a communication session.

• Socket: An endpoint for network communication, consisting of an IP address

and a port number.

• Application Layer: The topmost layer of the TCP/IP model, providing application-
specific functionality and protocols such as HTTP, SMTP, and DNS.
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): An application layer protocol
that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration
information to devices on a network.

• NAT (Network Address Translation): A process by which a network device,

usually a router, assigns a public internet address to a computer (or group of
computers) inside a private network.

• Private IP Address: IP addresses reserved for use on private networks (e.g.,

10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x-172.31.x.x, 192.168.x.x) that are not routable on the public
internet.

• Public IP Address: An IP address that is routable on the public internet.

• DNS (Domain Name System): A hierarchical and decentralized naming system

for computers, services, or other resources connected to the internet or a private
network. It translates domain names into IP addresses.

• FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name): A complete domain name that specifies
the exact position of a host within the DNS hierarchy (e.g., www.example.com).

• Hostname: Often used interchangeably with FQDN, but can also refer to the
short, local name of a computer.

• Domain: A grouping of network resources managed by an organization.

• Resolving: The process of querying DNS to find the IP address associated with a
hostname.

• DNS Server: A server that stores DNS records and answers DNS queries.

• DNS Record: An entry in the DNS that maps a hostname to information such as
an IP address (A record), another hostname (CNAME record), or mail servers (MX
record).

• Root Domain: The top level of the DNS hierarchy.

• Top-Level Domain (TLD): The highest level of domain names

(e.g., .com, .org, .edu).

• Second-Level Domain: A domain name registered under a TLD (e.g., example in

example.com).