Big Idea 4 Overview: Computer Systems and Networks
4 min read•march 13, 2023
Minna Chow
Minna Chow
This guide was based on the updated 2020-21 Course Exam Description. The Learning Objectives are taken directly from the CED's learning objectives.
The One Thing You Need to Know About this Big Idea:
This Big Idea focuses on and : what they are, how they work, and how they can be used to help you speed up your programs. One of the biggest connectors of is the , and a great deal of this guide also covers how the works.
Exam Weighing:
11-15% of the AP Exam
This translates to about 10 questions on the multiple-choice test.
This Big Idea won't be tested in your Create Project.
4.1 The Internet
Study Tip: In this unit, you'll not only need to know the definitions of key terms but also be able to answer the "explain" questions above.
Key Ideas
compare computing device vs computing system vs computer network
what is ? how does it work?
what is and how it is measured
how does the work?
how do devices connect to each other on it?
how is data sent through it?
what are and how do they work?
what is and why is it important?
explain and
be able to identify common
compare the to the : the two are not the same!
Vocabulary
computing device
computing system
- computer network
Resources
4.2 Fault Tolerance
Study Tip: This unit revolves around the concept of fault-tolerance: understand that term and you're good to go.
Key Ideas
definition of
examples of systems
the is : why is that?
what is and how do we build it into our systems?
vulnerabilities to failure in a system
benefits of fault-tolerance
Vocabulary
Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS)
Resources
4.3 Parallel and Distributed Computing
Study Tip: Compared to the rest of Big Idea 4, this unit is the one that requires the most math. You'll need to do some basic addition to calculate the time it takes solutions to complete, and long division to calculate the speedup. Doing example problems will be super helpful!
Key Ideas
compare vs vs Distributed computing
calculate the time it takes to complete a solution
compare the efficiency of solutions (calculate the speedup)
explain the benefits of
explain the benefits of distributed computing
explain the challenges of parallel and distributed computing
Vocabulary
Distributed computing
speedup
Resources
🔗 4.3 Parallel and Distributed Computing - contains two example problems!
Example Problem
This problem is taken from page 172 of the CED.
Answer
The answer is A. This problem tests your knowledge of how and work. It's a tricky question because three out of four answers get the basics right. do contain both data and metadata. (This means we can eliminate answer C.) One way to approach this question is to look at the description of the metadata.
Does the metadata contain…
information?
a decryption key?
categorization information?
When data is sent over the in , it will always include information. Therefore, the answer is A.
Study Tip: This question is one of three types of problems you'll see on this unit.
Definition Problems ask you a question based on your knowledge of a term's definition.
Explanation Problems ask you a question based on your knowledge of how a concept works (ex: , the .)
Computing Solution Problems ask you to calculate something about a or solution — either the time it takes the solution to complete, the speedup, or both.
The above problem is an example of Type 2: Explanation Problems.
You might see these questions tacked on to the end of a reading passage, which will ask you to answer questions based on a hypothetical scenario.
Key Terms to Review (19)
Bandwidth
: Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given amount of time.Computer Systems
: Computer systems refer to the combination of hardware and software components that work together to perform tasks and process information. They include components such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and operating systems.Data Streams
: Data streams refer to a continuous flow of data that is being transmitted or received. It can be thought of as a steady stream of information flowing from one point to another.Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS)
: A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is an attempt by multiple compromised computers or devices to overwhelm a target website or network with excessive traffic, causing it to become slow or unavailable for legitimate users.Fault-Tolerant
: Fault-tolerant refers to systems or devices designed to continue functioning properly even when one or more components experience failures. These systems are resilient and can recover from faults without significant disruption.Internet
: The Internet is a global network of interconnected networks that allows computers and devices worldwide to communicate and share information. It provides access to various services such as email, websites, online gaming, and social media.Networks
: Networks are interconnected systems or devices that communicate with each other using wired or wireless connections. They enable data sharing, resource sharing, communication between users/devices over short or long distances.Packets
: Packets are small units of data that are sent over a network. They contain both the data being transmitted and information about where the data should be delivered.Parallel computing
: Parallel computing refers to the use of multiple processors or computers working together simultaneously to solve a problem. It involves breaking down a task into smaller subtasks that can be executed concurrently, resulting in faster processing time.Protocols
: Protocols are sets of rules and standards that govern how devices communicate and exchange information with each other over a network.Receiver
: The receiver is the entity or device that receives and decodes the transmitted data or information from the sender. It is responsible for extracting meaningful information from the received message.Redundancy
: Redundancy refers to the duplication of critical components or information in a system to ensure reliability and fault tolerance. It involves having backup systems or data that can be used if the primary ones fail.Router
: A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It determines the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination based on network conditions and routing tables.Routing
: Routing is the process of selecting paths in a network along which data packets will travel from their source to their destination. It involves determining optimal routes based on factors such as speed, reliability, and congestion levels.Scalability
: Scalability refers to the ability of a system or network to handle an increasing amount of work or users without sacrificing performance or efficiency.Sender
: The sender is the entity or device that initiates and transmits data or information to a receiver. It is responsible for encoding and transmitting the message.Sequential Computing
: Sequential computing refers to the traditional method of executing instructions in a computer program one after another, in a sequential order. It follows a linear path where each instruction is completed before moving on to the next.Server
: A server is a computer or system that provides resources, services, or functionality to other computers or devices on a network. It responds to requests from clients and delivers requested information or performs tasks.World Wide Web
: The World Wide Web (WWW) is an interconnected system of web pages and documents that are accessed over the internet. It allows users to navigate between different websites using hyperlinks and interact with various types of content like text, images, videos, and more.Big Idea 4 Overview: Computer Systems and Networks
4 min read•march 13, 2023
Minna Chow
Minna Chow
This guide was based on the updated 2020-21 Course Exam Description. The Learning Objectives are taken directly from the CED's learning objectives.
The One Thing You Need to Know About this Big Idea:
This Big Idea focuses on and : what they are, how they work, and how they can be used to help you speed up your programs. One of the biggest connectors of is the , and a great deal of this guide also covers how the works.
Exam Weighing:
11-15% of the AP Exam
This translates to about 10 questions on the multiple-choice test.
This Big Idea won't be tested in your Create Project.
4.1 The Internet
Study Tip: In this unit, you'll not only need to know the definitions of key terms but also be able to answer the "explain" questions above.
Key Ideas
compare computing device vs computing system vs computer network
what is ? how does it work?
what is and how it is measured
how does the work?
how do devices connect to each other on it?
how is data sent through it?
what are and how do they work?
what is and why is it important?
explain and
be able to identify common
compare the to the : the two are not the same!
Vocabulary
computing device
computing system
- computer network
Resources
4.2 Fault Tolerance
Study Tip: This unit revolves around the concept of fault-tolerance: understand that term and you're good to go.
Key Ideas
definition of
examples of systems
the is : why is that?
what is and how do we build it into our systems?
vulnerabilities to failure in a system
benefits of fault-tolerance
Vocabulary
Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS)
Resources
4.3 Parallel and Distributed Computing
Study Tip: Compared to the rest of Big Idea 4, this unit is the one that requires the most math. You'll need to do some basic addition to calculate the time it takes solutions to complete, and long division to calculate the speedup. Doing example problems will be super helpful!
Key Ideas
compare vs vs Distributed computing
calculate the time it takes to complete a solution
compare the efficiency of solutions (calculate the speedup)
explain the benefits of
explain the benefits of distributed computing
explain the challenges of parallel and distributed computing
Vocabulary
Distributed computing
speedup
Resources
🔗 4.3 Parallel and Distributed Computing - contains two example problems!
Example Problem
This problem is taken from page 172 of the CED.
Answer
The answer is A. This problem tests your knowledge of how and work. It's a tricky question because three out of four answers get the basics right. do contain both data and metadata. (This means we can eliminate answer C.) One way to approach this question is to look at the description of the metadata.
Does the metadata contain…
information?
a decryption key?
categorization information?
When data is sent over the in , it will always include information. Therefore, the answer is A.
Study Tip: This question is one of three types of problems you'll see on this unit.
Definition Problems ask you a question based on your knowledge of a term's definition.
Explanation Problems ask you a question based on your knowledge of how a concept works (ex: , the .)
Computing Solution Problems ask you to calculate something about a or solution — either the time it takes the solution to complete, the speedup, or both.
The above problem is an example of Type 2: Explanation Problems.
You might see these questions tacked on to the end of a reading passage, which will ask you to answer questions based on a hypothetical scenario.
Key Terms to Review (19)
Bandwidth
: Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given amount of time.Computer Systems
: Computer systems refer to the combination of hardware and software components that work together to perform tasks and process information. They include components such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and operating systems.Data Streams
: Data streams refer to a continuous flow of data that is being transmitted or received. It can be thought of as a steady stream of information flowing from one point to another.Distributed Denial of Service Attack (DDoS)
: A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is an attempt by multiple compromised computers or devices to overwhelm a target website or network with excessive traffic, causing it to become slow or unavailable for legitimate users.Fault-Tolerant
: Fault-tolerant refers to systems or devices designed to continue functioning properly even when one or more components experience failures. These systems are resilient and can recover from faults without significant disruption.Internet
: The Internet is a global network of interconnected networks that allows computers and devices worldwide to communicate and share information. It provides access to various services such as email, websites, online gaming, and social media.Networks
: Networks are interconnected systems or devices that communicate with each other using wired or wireless connections. They enable data sharing, resource sharing, communication between users/devices over short or long distances.Packets
: Packets are small units of data that are sent over a network. They contain both the data being transmitted and information about where the data should be delivered.Parallel computing
: Parallel computing refers to the use of multiple processors or computers working together simultaneously to solve a problem. It involves breaking down a task into smaller subtasks that can be executed concurrently, resulting in faster processing time.Protocols
: Protocols are sets of rules and standards that govern how devices communicate and exchange information with each other over a network.Receiver
: The receiver is the entity or device that receives and decodes the transmitted data or information from the sender. It is responsible for extracting meaningful information from the received message.Redundancy
: Redundancy refers to the duplication of critical components or information in a system to ensure reliability and fault tolerance. It involves having backup systems or data that can be used if the primary ones fail.Router
: A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It determines the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination based on network conditions and routing tables.Routing
: Routing is the process of selecting paths in a network along which data packets will travel from their source to their destination. It involves determining optimal routes based on factors such as speed, reliability, and congestion levels.Scalability
: Scalability refers to the ability of a system or network to handle an increasing amount of work or users without sacrificing performance or efficiency.Sender
: The sender is the entity or device that initiates and transmits data or information to a receiver. It is responsible for encoding and transmitting the message.Sequential Computing
: Sequential computing refers to the traditional method of executing instructions in a computer program one after another, in a sequential order. It follows a linear path where each instruction is completed before moving on to the next.Server
: A server is a computer or system that provides resources, services, or functionality to other computers or devices on a network. It responds to requests from clients and delivers requested information or performs tasks.World Wide Web
: The World Wide Web (WWW) is an interconnected system of web pages and documents that are accessed over the internet. It allows users to navigate between different websites using hyperlinks and interact with various types of content like text, images, videos, and more.
Resources
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