QUIZ 1 OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

Directions: Watch the online videos and slides using the links provided below then answer the following
questions.

1. Describe how the Internet work?

The internet is like a ubiquitous and essential infrastructure, comparable to plumbing,

constantly in motion. It originated from the work of Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn in the 1970s, a
result of the ARPANET experiment. It operates as a vast, interconnected system of
independently operated networks. The key feature is its fully distributed nature, with no central
control. Instead, network operators make independent business decisions to ensure end-to-end
connectivity. The internet allows any device to communicate with any other, similar to making
phone calls globally. Its architecture is designed based on protocols that enable seamless
communication. Sharing information and collaborative innovation are driving forces behind the
internet's growth. In essence, the internet is a vast, distributed network where users can
contribute and benefit from a wide range of applications and services.

2. What is Internet Protocol (IP) and IP address?

Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules and standards that govern how data packets should be
formatted, transmitted, and routed across networks, including the global network we know as
the internet. IP provides the foundation for communication between devices connected to the
internet and ensures that data reaches its intended destination accurately and efficiently.

An IP address, on the other hand, is a unique numerical label assigned to each device within a
network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. IP addresses serve as the device's
identifier on the internet or within a local network, much like a mailing address for sending
physical mail.

IP addresses come in two main versions:

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4): This is the older and more widely used IP address format. IPv4
addresses consist of a series of four sets of numbers, separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
However, the number of available IPv4 addresses is limited, and due to the internet's rapid
growth, IPv4 addresses have become exhausted.

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): IPv6 was introduced to address the limitations of IPv4. IPv6
addresses are longer and more complex, consisting of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits
separated by colons. IPv6 provides an exponentially larger number of unique addresses,
ensuring that every device can have a globally unique identifier.
3. What is the function of Domain Name System (DNS)?
Name Resolution: DNS acts as a kind of internet phone book, where domain names are mapped
to their respective IP addresses. When you enter a web address (e.g., www.example.com) into
your browser, your computer queries a DNS server to obtain the corresponding IP address.

Efficient Communication: DNS allows users to access websites and resources on the internet
using easy-to-remember domain names, rather than having to remember the numerical IP
addresses of every site. This simplifies the user experience and makes internet navigation more
intuitive.

Hierarchical Structure: DNS is organized in a hierarchical manner, with multiple DNS servers
distributed worldwide. These servers are categorized into zones, such as .org, .com, .net, and
more. Each zone is responsible for managing the domain names within it. This distributed
structure helps distribute the load and ensures system resilience.

Cybersecurity: While DNS is a critical part of internet infrastructure, it can be vulnerable to

attacks like DNS spoofing, where hackers manipulate DNS records to redirect users to malicious
websites. Despite these risks, DNS security measures are continually developed to protect
against such threats.

4. What information should be on a packet sent?

Source IP Address: This is the IP address of the sender's device or computer. It identifies where
the packet originated.

Destination IP Address: This is the IP address of the recipient's device or computer. It specifies
where the packet should be delivered.

Payload Data: The payload consists of the actual data being transmitted, such as the content of a
web page, an email message, or any other information. It could be in the form of text, images,
videos, or any digital content.

Packet Sequence Number: In cases where data is divided into multiple packets, each packet may
have a sequence number to help reassemble them correctly at the destination.

Header Information: Packets also contain header information that helps routers and networking
devices on the internet route them to their destination. This header includes information like
the Time-to-Live (TTL), which limits how long a packet can exist on the network, and other
control information for proper routing.

Checksum or Error Detection: To ensure data integrity, packets often include a checksum or
error detection information. This allows the recipient to verify that the data arrived without
corruption.
 Protocol Information: The packet specifies the protocol being used for communication, such as
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP). This helps the receiving
device understand how to interpret the data.

Port Information: For higher-level protocols like TCP and UDP, packets may include port
information to specify which application or service on the destination device should process the
data.

5. What does Internet Reliability mean?

Internet reliability means that the internet can consistently and dependably transmit data from
source to destination. It achieves this through fault tolerance, where the network can reroute
data around failures, and redundancy, providing multiple paths for data to travel. Packet
reordering and error correction mechanisms ensure that data is received accurately, even if
packets arrive out of order or with errors. Scalability allows the internet to handle a growing
number of users and devices while maintaining reliability. Standards and protocols, such as IP,
ensure consistent and reliable communication across diverse devices and networks. In essence,
internet reliability ensures that data can be sent and received without significant interruptions,
making it a dependable global communication network.

Resource

https://youtu.be/Dxcc6ycZ73M Video Time 3:44

https://youtu.be/5o8CwafCxnU Video Time 6:44

https://youtu.be/AYdF7b3nMto Video Time 6:25

https://gaia.cs.umass.edu/kurose_ross/ppt.htm Powerpoint slides of the Book “Computer Networking:

A Top Down Approach (Chapter 1 Introduction)