comp sci unit 10

Computing device

A physical artifact capable of running a program, such as a computer, tablet, router, or smart sensor.

Computing system

A group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose.

Computer network

An interconnected group of computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

Path

A sequence of directly connected computing devices on a network that begins at the sender and ends at the receiver.

Routing

The process of finding and directing a path for data to travel from sender to receiver.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted across a network connection in a fixed period of time, usually measured in bits per second.

Protocol

An agreed-upon set of rules that specifies the behavior and format of communication in a system.

Open protocols

Public, nonproprietary communication standards that allow different computing devices to easily connect and communicate over a network.

Scalability

The capacity of a network or system to adjust its size and scale to accommodate increasing demands.

Packet

A small unit of a data stream packaged with metadata used for routing across networks and reassembly at the destination.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

A transport protocol that ensures reliable delivery by numbering packets, placing them in order, and requesting missing packets.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

A lightweight, connectionless transport protocol prioritizing speed over reliability, commonly used for gaming, live streaming, and DNS lookups.

IP (Internet Protocol)

A protocol responsible for assigning numerical addresses to devices and routing packets between networks.

Domain Name System (DNS)

A network service that translates human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses.

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files accessible via the Internet using protocols like HTTP.

Fault tolerance

The capability of a system to support component failures and continue functioning without interruption.

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra components or multiple routing paths to mitigate system failure if other parts fail.

Sequential computing

A computational model in which operations are executed one at a time in chronological order.

Parallel computing

A computational model where a program is divided into multiple operations, some of which are processed simultaneously.

Distributed computing

A model where multiple independent computers work together across a network to solve problems too large for a single machine.

Latency

The duration of time it takes for a data packet to travel to its destination and return.

The Internet

A computer network consisting of interconnected networks that use standardized, open (nonproprietary) communication protocols.

Access to the Internet

The ability to connect a computing device to another device that is already connected to the network.

Protocol

An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system.

Open protocols

Public, nonproprietary communication standards that allow users to easily connect additional computing devices to a network.

Dynamic routing

A network pathfinding process where transmission paths are determined continuously rather than specified in advance.

Scalability

The capacity of a system to change in size and scale to meet new demands.

Data stream

The way information is transmitted across the Internet, consisting of chunks of data encapsulated within packets.

Packet

A unit containing a chunk of data along with metadata used for routing between origin and destination as well as for reassembly.

Packet arrival conditions

The potential delivery outcomes for transmitted data at its destination: arriving in order, out of order, or not at all.

Common Internet protocols

IP, TCP, and UDP.

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files.

HTTP

A protocol used by the World Wide Web to transfer data.

HTTPS

A secure protocol that encrypts communications over the World Wide Web.

Relationship between the World Wide Web and the Internet

The World Wide Web is a subset of the Internet that relies on its infrastructure to function.

Fault tolerance

The capability of a system to support component failures and continue functioning.

Why is fault tolerance important on the Internet?

Complex systems can fail unexpectedly, sometimes in groups. Fault tolerance allows users to continue using the network despite these failures.

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra components that can mitigate system failure if other components fail.

How can network redundancy be achieved?

By providing more than one path between connected devices.

What is the relationship between redundancy and fault tolerance

Redundancy requires additional resources but helps provide fault tolerance.

How does redundancy work on the Internet?

: If a device or connection fails, data can be sent through a different route when possible.

How does Internet redundancy improve reliability

Multiple routing options between two points increase Internet reliability and help the Internet scale.

Sequential computing

: A computational model in which operations are performed in order, one at a time.

Parallel computing

A computational model in which a program is divided into smaller sequential operations, some of which are performed simultaneously.

How is computational efficiency compared

By comparing the time different solutions take to perform the same task.

How long does a sequential solution take?

A sequential solution takes the combined time of all its steps.

How long does a parallel computing solution take

It takes the time of the sequential tasks plus the time of the longest parallel task.

What are the two portions of parallel computing

A parallel portion and a sequential portion.

What is one advantage of parallel computing?

Parallel computing can scale more effectively than sequential computing.

What limits the efficiency of parallel computing?

The sequential portion limits efficiency, so adding more parallel portions eventually stops producing meaningful improvements.

Distributed computing

A model in which multiple computers work together across a network to solve problems.

Why is distributed computing useful?

It allows problems requiring more processing time or storage than one computer can provide to be solved.

What is an advantage of distributed computing?

It allows much larger problems to be solved more quickly than they could be on a single computer.