Section A — 1 Mark Questions
1. What does URL stand for? [1 Mark]
Answer: Uniform Resource Locator.
2. Define a Web Browser. [1 Mark]
Answer: A software application used to access and view information on the World Wide Web.
3. What is an IP address? [1 Mark]
Answer: A unique numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to a computer network.
4. Expand the acronym DNS. [1 Mark]
Answer: Domain Name System.
5. What is a home page? [1 Mark]
Answer: The main or introductory page of a website.
6. Name the protocol used for sending emails. [1 Mark]
Answer: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).
7. What is web hosting? [1 Mark]
Answer: The service of providing space on a server for a website to be accessible on the internet.
8. Define a static web page. [1 Mark]
Answer: A web page that displays the same content to every visitor and does not change dynamically.
9. What does HTTP stand for? [1 Mark]
Answer: Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
10. What is the role of a web server? [1 Mark]
Answer: To store, process, and deliver web pages to users upon request.
11. Define a dynamic web page. [1 Mark]
Answer: A web page that generates content in real-time based on user interaction or specific data.
12. What is FTP used for? [1 Mark]
Answer: File Transfer Protocol is used for the transfer of computer files between a client and a server on a network.
13. What is a domain registration? [1 Mark]
Answer: The process of acquiring a unique name for a website on the internet.
14. What is an active web page? [1 Mark]
Answer: A page that executes programs or scripts on the server or client side to interact with the user.
15. What is the World Wide Web? [1 Mark]
Answer: An information system where documents and other web resources are identified by URLs and interlinked by hypertext.
16. What component makes up an HTTP response? [1 Mark]
Answer: It typically contains a status line, headers, and the body of the requested content.
17. Define a web page. [1 Mark]
Answer: A single document on the web, typically in HTML format, viewable in a browser.
18. What is an HTTP request? [1 Mark]
Answer: A message sent by a client to a server to request a specific resource.
19. Can an IP address be represented as a hostname? [1 Mark]
Answer: Yes, via the Domain Name System (DNS).
20. What is the main purpose of the Internet? [1 Mark]
Answer: To provide a global network of interconnected computers for information exchange and communication.
Section B — 2/3 Mark Questions
1. Differentiate between a static and a dynamic web page. [2 Marks]
Answer: Static web pages contain fixed content that remains the same for all users, whereas dynamic web pages generate content on-the-fly based on server-side processing or user input.
2. Explain the function of DNS. [2 Marks]
Answer: DNS acts as a phonebook for the internet. It translates human-readable domain names (like example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1) so browsers can locate servers.
3. What is an IP address and why is it necessary? [2 Marks]
Answer: An IP address is a unique numerical address assigned to every device on a network. It is necessary for identification, routing data packets, and ensuring that information reaches the correct destination.
4. Describe the role of a web server in simple terms. [2 Marks]
Answer: A web server listens for requests from browsers (HTTP requests). When a request is received, it retrieves the requested file or processes a script and returns an HTTP response to the browser.
5. What are the primary differences between HTTP and FTP? [3 Marks]
Answer: HTTP is designed for transferring hypermedia documents like HTML files for display in browsers. FTP is specifically designed for the bulk transfer of files between systems. HTTP is stateless, while FTP maintains a session for file management tasks.
6. List three major functions of a web browser. [3 Marks]
Answer: 1. Sending requests to web servers. 2. Rendering HTML, CSS, and script content for display. 3. Providing a user interface for navigating websites through URLs.
7. Why is domain registration important? [2 Marks]
Answer: It provides a unique, memorable name for a website, making it easier for users to find the site instead of remembering complex numerical IP addresses.
8. Briefly explain the HTTP request-response cycle. [3 Marks]
Answer: The client sends an HTTP request to the server, the server processes the request, and the server returns an HTTP response containing the requested data or a status code (like 404 if not found).
9. What is the difference between a web page and a website? [2 Marks]
Answer: A web page is a single document accessible via a unique URL, while a website is a collection of related web pages under a single domain name.
10. What is the significance of the SMTP protocol? [2 Marks]
Answer: SMTP is the standard protocol for sending emails across the internet, ensuring messages are transferred reliably from the sender's mail server to the recipient's mail server.
Section C — 5 Mark Questions
1. Discuss the components and architecture of the World Wide Web. [5 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction
The World Wide Web (WWW) is an information space where documents and other web resources are identified by URLs and interlinked by hypertext.
Key Components
- Client-Server Model: Browsers act as clients requesting information, while web servers host and provide that information.
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): The communication protocol used to exchange information between the client and server.
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard language used to create and structure the content of web pages.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The global address used to locate resources on the web.
Architecture
The architecture relies on the request-response cycle. A user enters a URL, the DNS resolves the domain name into an IP address, the browser sends an HTTP request, and the server responds with the relevant data which the browser renders.
2. Explain the concept of Web Hosting and its types. [5 Marks]
Answer:
Definition
Web hosting is a service that allows organizations and individuals to post a website or web page onto the Internet.
Importance
Servers are high-powered computers that stay connected to the internet 24/7, ensuring that your website remains accessible to users at all times.
Types of Web Hosting
- Shared Hosting: Multiple websites reside on a single server, sharing resources like CPU and RAM. It is cost-effective for small sites.
- VPS (Virtual Private Server): Provides a dedicated portion of server resources, offering more control and stability than shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting: The user rents an entire physical server, providing maximum performance and customization capabilities.
- Cloud Hosting: Distributes resources across multiple servers, ensuring high reliability and scalability for high-traffic websites.
3. Elaborate on the common protocols used on the Internet. [5 Marks]
Answer:
Overview
Protocols are sets of rules that govern how data is transmitted between devices on a network.
Primary Protocols
- HTTP/HTTPS: HTTP is the foundation of data communication on the web. HTTPS adds a layer of security (SSL/TLS) for encrypted data transfer.
- SMTP: Used for sending emails. It specifies how an email client communicates with a mail server and how servers communicate with each other.
- FTP: Used to move files from one host to another over a TCP/IP network. It separates control and data connections.
- DNS: Functions as a mapping service that translates domain names into IP addresses, facilitating network communication.
- IP (Internet Protocol): Responsible for addressing and routing data packets across network boundaries.
4. Differentiate between Static, Dynamic, and Active web pages in detail. [5 Marks]
Answer:
| Type | Content | Processing | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static | Fixed, hard-coded | Server just delivers files | Fast |
| Dynamic | Variable, personalized | Server processes logic/DB | Slower |
| Active | Highly interactive | Runs client or server code | Dependent on script |
Detailed Explanation
- Static: These pages display the same information regardless of user interaction. They are built using HTML/CSS.
- Dynamic: These pages change based on parameters like the time of day, user session, or database queries. They use server-side languages like PHP or Python.
- Active: Active web pages include executable content that can respond to user actions in real-time, often using technologies like JavaScript or AJAX to update the DOM without reloading the page.
5. Describe the role and process of DNS and Domain Registration. [5 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction
DNS and domain registration are the pillars that make the internet navigable for human users.
Domain Registration
This is the act of reserving a name on the internet for a specific period. A domain name is essential for branding and ease of access. Registrars manage this process, ensuring that each domain name is globally unique.
DNS (Domain Name System)
DNS is a decentralized naming system. Its primary role is to act as the internet's directory. When you type a domain into a browser:
- Query: The browser queries a DNS resolver for the IP address.
- Resolution: The resolver contacts root servers, TLD servers, and authoritative name servers until it finds the matching IP.
- Return: The IP address is sent back to the browser.
- Connection: The browser connects to the web server using this specific IP address.
Without DNS, users would need to memorize numerical IP addresses to visit every website.