AP CSP - Unit 2: The Internet

Computing Device

A machine that can run a program, including computers, tablets, servers, routers, and smart sensors

Computing System

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

Computing Network

A group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data

Path

The series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time, usually measured in bits per second

Protocol

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

IP Address

The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet

Internet Protocol (IP)

A protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (IP addresses) to each connected device

Router

A type of computer that forwards data across a network

Packet

A chunk of data sent over a network; larger messages are divided into packets that may arrive at the destination in order, out-of-order, or not at all

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra components so that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail; for example, by having more than one path between two connected devices in a network

Fault Tolerant

Can continue to function even in the event of individual component failures; this is important because elements of complex systems like a computer network fail at unexpected times, often in groups

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol: the protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet

Internet

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

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files

Digital Divide

Differing access to computing devices and the Internet, based on socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic characteristics

DNS

Domain Name System: connects website domain names to IP addresses so computing devices can quickly connect to them

DNS spoofing

A cybersecurity attack that manipulates the DNS of a website to redirect users towards a malicious and fake website that may resemble the user’s intended destination

HTML

HyperText Markup Language: the standard markup language that is used to structure and design a web page

URL

Uniform Resource Locator: the address of a resource on the World Wide Web

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol: information is broken into packets, and while this is slower, it ensures that packets will come correctly; this is used in web browsing and file transfers

UDP

User Datagram Protocol: information is sent with packets, but speed is favored over reliability, so some packets may be missing or out of order; this is used in video playback and livestreams