The Internet works (College Board AP® Computer Science Principles): Revision Note
Internet protocols & standards
What are Internet protocols, and why are they open?
A protocol is an agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system
The Internet is a computer network consisting of interconnected networks that use standardized, open (nonproprietary) communication protocols
The protocols used in the Internet are open, which allows users to easily connect additional computing devices to the Internet
Open and standardized protocols mean any device, regardless of manufacturer or operating system, can communicate on the Internet, as long as it follows the rules
Routing, scalability & protocol requirements
How does data travel across the Internet, and why can the Internet keep growing?
Routing on the Internet is usually dynamic; it is not specified in advance
Dynamic routing means the path data takes through the Internet can be chosen in real time, based on current network conditions
Scalability is the capacity for a system to change in size and scale to meet new demands
The Internet was designed to be scalable; new networks and devices can be added without requiring changes to the existing infrastructure
Open protocols and dynamic routing together support the Internet's scalability, because there is no central point of control that needs to approve or reconfigure new connections
What does a device need to use the Internet?
Access to the Internet depends on the ability to connect a computing device to an Internet-connected device
Any device that supports the established Internet protocols can connect; this is why smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, and servers can all use the same network
The combination of open protocols and the ability to connect through any Internet-connected device is what makes the Internet so widely accessible
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The AP exam tests vocabulary directly. Know that "open" means nonproprietary (publicly available, not controlled by any company), "standardized" means all devices follow the same rules, and "protocol" means an agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system.
For the AP Create Performance Task, you don't need to discuss specific protocols by name (IP, TCP, etc.) when describing how your program connects to the Internet — but understanding that protocols are agreed-upon rules helps you explain how data is exchanged.
Worked Example
A new manufacturer creates a smart thermostat designed to connect to the Internet. The thermostat is built using protocols that follow established Internet standards. Which of the following best explains why this thermostat can communicate with existing servers on the Internet?
(A) The Internet uses proprietary protocols controlled by major server manufacturers, which the thermostat must license
(B) The Internet's protocols are standardized and open, so any device that follows the established rules can communicate with other devices on the network
(C) The thermostat must connect to a central server that translates its data into a format other devices understand
(D) Smart devices use a different version of the Internet that is separate from the one used by traditional computers
[1]
Answer:
(B) The Internet's protocols are standardized and open, so any device that follows the established rules can communicate with other devices on the network [1 mark]
The Internet uses standardized, open (nonproprietary) communication protocols. Because the protocols are open, any device that follows the rules can connect and communicate — including new devices from manufacturers that didn't exist when the protocols were originally designed.
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