AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards: The Internet

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Internet, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Computer Science Principles.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which layer of the OSI model does IP operate on?

Answer: IP operates on the Network layer. Layer 3 handles logical addressing and routing between different networks.

Flashcard 2: What is the primary benefit of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

Answer: A VPN provides secure and encrypted connections. It creates a secure tunnel for data transmission over public networks.

Flashcard 3: What is latency in the context of network performance?

Answer: Latency is the delay before data transfer begins following an instruction. Lower latency means faster response times for network communications.

Flashcard 4: What is the main function of an IP address?

Answer: An IP address uniquely identifies devices on a network. It serves as the network equivalent of a postal address for devices.

Flashcard 5: Define packet switching in the context of networking.

Answer: Packet switching divides data into packets for transmission. This allows efficient use of network resources and enables fault tolerance.

Flashcard 6: Which protocol is used for secure file transfers over a network?

Answer: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). It combines FTP functionality with SSH encryption for secure transfers.

Flashcard 7: What is latency in the context of network performance?

Answer: Latency is the delay before data transfer begins following an instruction. Lower latency means faster response times for network communications.

Flashcard 8: What is the role of a MAC address in a network?

Answer: A MAC address uniquely identifies a device on a local network. It operates at the data link layer for physical device identification.

Flashcard 9: What is the main purpose of a firewall in network security?

Answer: A firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic. It acts as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external ones.

Flashcard 10: What type of network topology is characterized by centralized control?

Answer: Star topology. All devices connect through a central hub, providing centralized management.

Flashcard 11: What is the function of the Transport Layer in networking?

Answer: The Transport Layer ensures reliable data transfer. Layer 4 provides end-to-end communication services like TCP and UDP.

Flashcard 12: Which protocol resolves domain names to IP addresses?

Answer: Domain Name System (DNS). It converts human-readable website names into machine-readable IP addresses.

Flashcard 13: Which protocol resolves domain names to IP addresses?

Answer: Domain Name System (DNS). It converts human-readable website names into machine-readable IP addresses.

Flashcard 14: Identify the protocol used for sending email.

Answer: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). It handles outgoing mail transmission between mail servers.

Flashcard 15: What is the primary purpose of the Internet Protocol (IP)?

Answer: IP is used for addressing and routing packets between computers. This enables computers to find and communicate with each other across networks.

Flashcard 16: In which layer of the OSI model does HTTP operate?

Answer: HTTP operates on the Application layer. Layer 7 handles user interface and network services for applications.

Flashcard 17: What is the main purpose of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)?

Answer: ICMP is used for sending error messages and operational information. It enables network troubleshooting and status reporting between devices.

Flashcard 18: What type of network topology is characterized by centralized control?

Answer: Star topology. All devices connect through a central hub, providing centralized management.

Flashcard 19: What is a key characteristic of peer-to-peer (P2P) networking?

Answer: In P2P, each node can act as both client and server. This decentralized approach eliminates the need for dedicated servers.

Flashcard 20: What is the main purpose of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)?

Answer: ICMP is used for sending error messages and operational information. It enables network troubleshooting and status reporting between devices.

Flashcard 21: Which device connects different network segments within a network?

Answer: A switch connects different network segments. It creates separate collision domains and improves network performance.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary function of the Transport Layer Security (TLS)?

Answer: TLS provides secure communication over a computer network. It encrypts data to prevent eavesdropping during network communication.

Flashcard 23: Which service translates human-friendly domain names to IP addresses?

Answer: Domain Name System (DNS). It eliminates the need to memorize numerical IP addresses for websites.

Flashcard 24: What does VoIP stand for and facilitate?

Answer: Voice over Internet Protocol; it facilitates voice communication over the Internet. It enables phone calls using Internet connections instead of traditional lines.

Flashcard 25: What is the purpose of Network Address Translation (NAT)?

Answer: NAT translates private IP addresses to a public IP address. This allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address.

Flashcard 26: What is the primary function of a modem in a network?

Answer: A modem modulates and demodulates signals for transmission. It converts digital data to analog signals for transmission over phone lines.

Flashcard 27: Which device connects different network segments within a network?

Answer: A switch connects different network segments. It creates separate collision domains and improves network performance.

Flashcard 28: Which service translates human-friendly domain names to IP addresses?

Answer: Domain Name System (DNS). It eliminates the need to memorize numerical IP addresses for websites.

Flashcard 29: What does HTTPS add to HTTP to secure data transmission?

Answer: HTTPS adds encryption via SSL/TLS. This protects data from eavesdropping and tampering during transmission.

Flashcard 30: What does HTTPS add to HTTP to secure data transmission?

Answer: HTTPS adds encryption via SSL/TLS. This protects data from eavesdropping and tampering during transmission.

Flashcard 31: What is the primary use of the File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

Answer: FTP is used to transfer files between computers. It enables file uploads, downloads, and remote file management.

Flashcard 32: Identify the protocol used for sending email.

Answer: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). It handles outgoing mail transmission between mail servers.

Flashcard 33: Identify the main function of the Domain Name System (DNS).

Answer: DNS translates domain names to IP addresses. This allows users to access websites using memorable names instead of numbers.

Flashcard 34: What does VoIP stand for and facilitate?

Answer: Voice over Internet Protocol; it facilitates voice communication over the Internet. It enables phone calls using Internet connections instead of traditional lines.

Flashcard 35: Which layer of the OSI model does IP operate on?

Answer: IP operates on the Network layer. Layer 3 handles logical addressing and routing between different networks.

Flashcard 36: What is the main purpose of a firewall in network security?

Answer: A firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic. It acts as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external ones.

Flashcard 37: What is the primary purpose of the Internet Protocol (IP)?

Answer: IP is used for addressing and routing packets between computers. This enables computers to find and communicate with each other across networks.

Flashcard 38: What does SSL/TLS stand for and provide in networking?

Answer: Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security; encryption. These protocols create secure channels for sensitive data transmission.

Flashcard 39: Define packet switching in the context of networking.

Answer: Packet switching divides data into packets for transmission. This allows efficient use of network resources and enables fault tolerance.

Flashcard 40: What is the function of the Transport Layer in networking?

Answer: The Transport Layer ensures reliable data transfer. Layer 4 provides end-to-end communication services like TCP and UDP.

Flashcard 41: What is the purpose of Network Address Translation (NAT)?

Answer: NAT translates private IP addresses to a public IP address. This allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address.

Flashcard 42: What does TCP/IP stand for?

Answer: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This suite of protocols forms the foundation of Internet communication.

Flashcard 43: Which protocol is commonly used for retrieving email?

Answer: Post Office Protocol (POP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). These protocols handle downloading email from servers to client devices.

Flashcard 44: Which protocol is commonly used for retrieving email?

Answer: Post Office Protocol (POP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). These protocols handle downloading email from servers to client devices.

Flashcard 45: What is the role of a MAC address in a network?

Answer: A MAC address uniquely identifies a device on a local network. It operates at the data link layer for physical device identification.

Flashcard 46: What is the main function of an IP address?

Answer: An IP address uniquely identifies devices on a network. It serves as the network equivalent of a postal address for devices.

Flashcard 47: What is the primary function of a modem in a network?

Answer: A modem modulates and demodulates signals for transmission. It converts digital data to analog signals for transmission over phone lines.

Flashcard 48: What is the purpose of a subnet mask in IP networking?

Answer: A subnet mask divides the IP address into network and host parts. This enables efficient IP address allocation and network organization.

Flashcard 49: What is the primary function of the Transport Layer Security (TLS)?

Answer: TLS provides secure communication over a computer network. It encrypts data to prevent eavesdropping during network communication.

Flashcard 50: Identify a key difference between TCP and UDP.

Answer: TCP is connection-oriented; UDP is connectionless. TCP guarantees delivery; UDP prioritizes speed over reliability.

Flashcard 51: Which wireless security protocol is considered more secure, WPA or WEP?

Answer: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is more secure. WPA uses stronger encryption algorithms than the outdated WEP standard.

Flashcard 52: What is a key characteristic of peer-to-peer (P2P) networking?

Answer: In P2P, each node can act as both client and server. This decentralized approach eliminates the need for dedicated servers.

Flashcard 53: Which wireless security protocol is considered more secure, WPA or WEP?

Answer: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is more secure. WPA uses stronger encryption algorithms than the outdated WEP standard.

Flashcard 54: Distinguish between IPv4 and IPv6 in terms of address length.

Answer: IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses. IPv6's longer addresses solve IPv4's address exhaustion problem.

Flashcard 55: What does HTTP stand for in the context of web communication?

Answer: Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It defines how web browsers and servers communicate on the World Wide Web.

Flashcard 56: In which layer of the OSI model does HTTP operate?

Answer: HTTP operates on the Application layer. Layer 7 handles user interface and network services for applications.

Flashcard 57: Identify a key difference between TCP and UDP.

Answer: TCP is connection-oriented; UDP is connectionless. TCP guarantees delivery; UDP prioritizes speed over reliability.

Flashcard 58: Identify the standard protocol for wireless networking.

Answer: IEEE 802.11, also known as Wi-Fi. This standard enables wireless communication between devices and networks.

Flashcard 59: What does HTTP stand for in the context of web communication?

Answer: Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It defines how web browsers and servers communicate on the World Wide Web.

Flashcard 60: Identify the primary function of a proxy server.

Answer: A proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and servers. It can provide caching, filtering, and anonymity for network requests.

Flashcard 61: What does SSL/TLS stand for and provide in networking?

Answer: Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security; encryption. These protocols create secure channels for sensitive data transmission.

Flashcard 62: Identify the protocol used for transferring web pages on the Internet.

Answer: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It defines how web browsers request and receive webpage content.

Flashcard 63: Identify the primary function of a proxy server.

Answer: A proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and servers. It can provide caching, filtering, and anonymity for network requests.

Flashcard 64: What is the purpose of a subnet mask in IP networking?

Answer: A subnet mask divides the IP address into network and host parts. This enables efficient IP address allocation and network organization.

Flashcard 65: Identify the standard protocol for wireless networking.

Answer: IEEE 802.11, also known as Wi-Fi. This standard enables wireless communication between devices and networks.

Flashcard 66: What is the role of an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Answer: ISPs provide access to the Internet. They act as intermediaries connecting homes and businesses to the global Internet.

Flashcard 67: Which protocol is primarily responsible for reliable data transmission?

Answer: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). It ensures packets arrive in order and handles error correction.

Flashcard 68: What is the role of a router in a network?

Answer: A router directs data packets between networks. It determines the best path for data to travel across interconnected networks.

Flashcard 69: Which protocol is primarily responsible for reliable data transmission?

Answer: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). It ensures packets arrive in order and handles error correction.

Flashcard 70: Define bandwidth in the context of Internet connectivity.

Answer: Bandwidth is the maximum data transfer rate of a network. It determines how much data can flow through a connection per unit time.

Flashcard 71: What does TCP/IP stand for?

Answer: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This suite of protocols forms the foundation of Internet communication.

Flashcard 72: Identify the main function of the Domain Name System (DNS).

Answer: DNS translates domain names to IP addresses. This allows users to access websites using memorable names instead of numbers.

Flashcard 73: Identify the protocol used for transferring web pages on the Internet.

Answer: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It defines how web browsers request and receive webpage content.

Flashcard 74: Define bandwidth in the context of Internet connectivity.

Answer: Bandwidth is the maximum data transfer rate of a network. It determines how much data can flow through a connection per unit time.

Flashcard 75: Which protocol is used for secure file transfers over a network?

Answer: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). It combines FTP functionality with SSH encryption for secure transfers.

Flashcard 76: What is the role of a router in a network?

Answer: A router directs data packets between networks. It determines the best path for data to travel across interconnected networks.

Flashcard 77: Distinguish between IPv4 and IPv6 in terms of address length.

Answer: IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses. IPv6's longer addresses solve IPv4's address exhaustion problem.

Flashcard 78: What is the role of an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Answer: ISPs provide access to the Internet. They act as intermediaries connecting homes and businesses to the global Internet.

Flashcard 79: What is the primary benefit of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

Answer: A VPN provides secure and encrypted connections. It creates a secure tunnel for data transmission over public networks.

Flashcard 80: What is the primary use of the File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

Answer: FTP is used to transfer files between computers. It enables file uploads, downloads, and remote file management.