Module One - Internet

The assignment details are here.


Reimagining the Internet

  1. Vint Cerf has described the Internet as a homogenous network that connects heterogeneous computers. What did he mean by that?

    2. He meant that the network connects computers and other devices with different operating systems.


  2. What is Metcalfe*s law?

    3. Metcalfe*s law states that the value of a telecommunications network is proportional to the square of the number of connected users of the system. This means the network*s value increases as the network grows bigger.


  3. Where geographically are the majority of Internet Users located?

    4. Asia.


  4. Concerning the percentage of a country’s population that uses the Internet, with what are mobiles helping?

    5. Mobiles are helping people connect with each other from all around the world using the Internet. Video calls from New York to London!


  5. In design terms, what differentiates the Internet from earlier networks such as the Telephone and Telegraph networks?

    6. The Internet was not designed for one purpose like the Telephone and Telegraph were. It is also wireless while the latter had wired connections.


  6. Was there a particular logic in Vint Cerf*s choice of a 32 bit address space for IP addresses?

    7. There was no particular reason for it; he was experimenting and it ended up working.


  7. How do digital signatures relate to closing an important vulnerability in the DNS system?

    8. Signatures can bind a domain and IP address.


  8. What is a sensor network? Give an example.

    9. A sensor network can sense when a device is nearing peak electricity consumption and coming towards them. An example is a power grid.


  9. What does Vint serve describe as one of the hardest problems that he can imagine?

    10. An incorrect configuration.


  10. Why is cloud collaboration important?

    11. It is important because it makes sharing and storing information easier with another cloud-based server.


  11. How does Vint Cerf describe the job that his Internet Design did with mobile? Specifically, what was the problem?

    12. He described it as a poor job. Concerning mobile, he did not know that nodes had to change according to the device*s location.


  12. How does Vint Cerf describe the job that his Internet Design did with broadcast? Specifically, what was the problem?

    13. He described it as an imperfection because he turned it into a point-to-point link.


  13. What is strong authentication? Why is the lack of this an issue?

    14. Strong authentication verifies a network as safe and reliable. The lack of authentication is alarming because hackers and bots can easily gain access and steal information.


  14. In an Internet context, what is the overrun problem?

    15. An overrun problem is when somebody takes advantage of something yours and uses it against you.


  15. What does Cerf cite as a problem with the Internet and copyright?

    16. Controlling copies of everything that passes through the Internet would be impossible since digital information is easily downloadable and shared.


  16. What does Cerf mean when he talks about rotten bits? Give an example.

    17. He is referring to outdated programs that will not be able to open anything in the future. Programs made in the 90s cannot open anything made today. Ex. First version of Windows compared to Windows 10.


  17. Briefly describe the InterPlanetary Internet. In your description, describe how this solves the point to point InterPlanetary communications problem.

    18. InterPlanetary Internet is transmitting information from one planet to another (Earth, in this case). A reply satellite will allow data to store and send.


  18. . In an Internet context, what is common carriage? What implications does this have for Internet billing?

    19. Common carriage means that the same rules are applied to everybody as well as the same terms and conditions.


  19. What does Cerf means when he says that in the future, the network will disappear?

    20. It will become part of the environment. This is in terms of electricity where it is there but you do not actively see it.


Internet Resources

  1. What is the Internet Society?

    2. The Internet Society was founded in 1992 and it is a non-profit organization that provides leadership regarding Internet-related standards, policy, and education.


  2. Who is Vint Cerf?

    3. Founding father of the Internet, he created the basic architecture of the program. He is also the president of the Internet Society.


  3. Who is Bob Khan?

    4. He is also considered one of the founding fathers of the Internet. He co-designed TCP/IP with Vint Cerf.


  4. As articulated by Lynn St. Amour, what is ISOC*s hope for the future?

    5. They hope that everybody in the world will have access to a "ubiquitous, reliable, and open Internet" where people will be on equal footing.


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