Running head: COMPUTER CONCEPTS AND INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES 1

Computer Concepts and Internet Technologies

Name

Institution Affiliation
Computer Concepts and Internet Technologies 2

Computer Concepts and Internet Technologies

A. What is internet?

The internet, sometimes called "the Net," is a telecommunication network that uses Internet

Protocols/Transmission Control Protocol (IP/TCP) to transmit data via various types of media

and connect computers and other devices to the World Wide Web.

B. When was it created, and what was its purpose?

Internet history dates back to 1957 when Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, was launched

by the Soviet Union. The first precursor network was the ARPANET, which served as the

backbone for the interconnection of regional military and academic networks.

The original aim was to create a network that would allow users of a research computer at

one university to communicate and talk to research computers at other universities.

C. What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web, is an information retrieval service of the

Internet. It is an information system where documents and other Web resources are identified

by using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

D. Are WWW and Internet the same technology?

The terms "the Web" and "the Internet" are often used as if they are the one and the same

thing, but in the real sense, they are not. This is because of the fact that the Internet has been

in development since the early 1960s. And it is for that allows different gadgets like computer

around the World to communicate with one another. The internet is not just actually a single

physical network; it is a set of rules that allow computers to communicate.

The web, on the other hand, is the system of web page and sites that uses the Internet to

access uploaded files. The Web is one of the services that use the Internet

E. What is Network Topology? Explain at least three topologies

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Topology refers to the physical or logical layout of a network. It defines the way different

nodes are placed and interconnected with each other, for example, Switches and routers or

software switch/routers features.

Types of Topology are

i. Bus topology – All the devices/nodes are connected sequentially to the same

transmission line or backbone.

ii. Star topology – All computers and devices are connected to a centrally located hub or

switch via cable. Any failure to individual nodes does not necessary create downtime

in the network, but the only shortcoming of the central device can.

iii. Tree topology – also called a star of stars, is a network where star topologies are

themselves connected in a star configuration. Physically, the tree topology is similar

to bus and star; the network backbone may have a bus topology, while the low-level

nodes connect using the star topology.

F. How do computers communicate with each other on the Internet?

Although computers interact at many different levels, there is a lot of variation between the

various types of computer systems involved. The primary communication method is

relatively uniform and standardized. Computers effectively communicate with each other

over networks that are connected through a wire or wireless means of communication. There

are many different types of systems, as well as many kinds of methods for network

connection. Ethernet is a standard protocol that allows any number of computers to

communicate with one another.

G. What is a router?

The router is a hardware device that is first-line security from intrusion into a network that is

designed to receive, analyze, and move incoming packages to another network.

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H. What is a browser? Briefly explain three different browsers. Any advantage of one

over the other

Browser is a software application for accessing information on the World Wide Web.

Types of browsers are:

(i) Google Chrome – Is the most popular internet giant. It focuses on enhancing the

performance of the web application. The significant advantage of using Google Chrome over

other browsers is that it is considered to offer fast performance, and it is easy on computer

hardware

(ii) Mozilla Firefox - is designed for security, extensibility, simplicity yet flexibility and

power. Its main advantage is that it is considered easy to use with its minimalist interface and

has large add-ons library for expanded functionality.

(iii) Opera Web Brower – it is continually evolving and improving the most mobile browser.

Its main advantage over other browsers is that it is an email suite, has both phishing filters

and bit torrent.

What is TCP/TP?

Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the address system of the

internet and has the core function of delivering packets of information from a source device

to a target device. IP is the primary way in which network connections are made, and it

establishes the basis of the internet.

J. What is LAN? What are some advantages and disadvantages?

LAN stands for local area network. It is a group of computers and peripheral devices that

share a common communication link or a server within a distinct geographical area.

Advantages of LAN
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(i) Communication is fast, easy, and time-saving – In LAN, computers can exchange

messages and data efficiently and in a quick manner. It also helps save time and make our

work fast.

(ii)Resource Sharing – Lan provides resource sharing such as computer resources like

scanners, printers, DVD-ROM drives, modems, and hard disks that can be shared within the

connected devices.

(iii) Securing data – LAN keeps data on the server, which makes it more secure to use. In

case if you want to move one server computer to another computer, it is ade possible for

access and update of data.

(iv) Internet Sharing – LAN provides the facility to share a single internet connection among

all the LAN users.

Disadvantages of LAN

(i) Data security problem – In the case when the computer is not set up accordingly, and there

is a leak in security, then unauthorized users can access the data as they wish.

(ii)High setup cost – The initial setup costs of LAN is high since there is special software

required to make a server. Also, other communications needed devices like switches,

Ethernet cable, hubs, cables, and routers are costly to purchase.

(iii) LAN maintenance job – LAN requires an administrator because there are problems such

as program faults, installations, cables disturbances, or hardware failures that may hinder its

progress while working. An administrator is needed to maintain and keep theses issues intact

always or when they may arise.

(iv) Server crashes may affect all computers – In case when any file on the server is

corrupted, or hard drive fails, then all the attached computers face problems in functionality.

K. What is DNS?
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Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical and decentralized named system for services,

computers, or other resources that are connected to the internet. It may also be referred to as

the phonebook of the internet.

L. What is an ISP?

Internet Service Provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing,

participating, or using the internet.

M. What is HTML

Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) is a computer language devised to allow website

creation that is displayed in a web browser.

N. Discuss 3 methods for connecting to the internet and WWW

The Word wide web is just one way to access information through the internet. Other

methods that may be used are the use of;

(i) Cables – cables provide an internet connection through a modem and operate over cable

TV lines. Different speeds are depending on it when downloading data transmission or

uploading.

(ii) Wireless – Wi-Fi or wireless, as the name suggests, does not use cables or telephone lines

to connect to the internet; instead, it uses radiofrequency.

(iii) Cellular – Cellular technology provides wireless internet access through cell phones. The

speed on cellular varies depending on the provider. The most common cellular networks are

4G and 3G speeds.