IB Computer Science Revision

Networks & Web

Network fundamentals, data transmission, protocols and web science.

Networks & Web is a core part of IB Computer Science. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

LAN & WANLocal and wide area networks.
ProtocolsRules for communication, e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP.
TopologiesNetwork layouts such as star and mesh.
The internetA global network of interconnected networks.
PacketsData split into packets for transmission.
DNSTranslates domain names into IP addresses.
ClientRequests resources; usually a browser.
ServerProvides resources over HTTP.
HTMLStructures web page content semantically.
CSSStyles the visual presentation of pages.
JavaScriptAdds dynamic behavior to web pages.
Stateless HTTPEach request independent; cookies add state.
Semantic webWeb extended with machine-readable meaning.
OntologyFormal vocabulary defining concepts/relations.

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Are the internet and the World Wide Web the same?✗ Yes, they are the same thing.   ✓ No — the internet is the global network; the web is one service on it.
What does a router do?✗ Stores all the websites you visit.   ✓ Connects different networks and directs data between them.

Practise Networks & Web — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie▶ Reveal Race▶ Connections Grid▶ Falling Words▶ Word Web

See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →

More IB Computer Science topics

System FundamentalsComputer OrganisationData Structures & DatabasesObject-Oriented ProgrammingComputational ThinkingModelling & Simulation

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