The Internet
Purpose of the Internet
- Global Communication: The internet enables seamless communication across the globe, connecting billions of devices.
- Data Exchange: It facilitates the transfer of data using standardized protocols like HTTP and TCP/IP.
- Platform for Services: The internet supports a wide range of services, from email to streaming and online gaming.
The worldwide web (WWW) is a service that operates on the internet, using protocols like HTTP to deliver web pages.
Benefits of the Internet
- Accessibility: Provides access to vast amounts of information and resources.
- Collaboration: Enables remote work and collaboration through tools like video conferencing and cloud-based applications.
- Innovation: Drives technological advancements in areas like e-commerce, education, and healthcare.
The internet allows students to access online courses, research materials, and virtual classrooms, breaking down geographical barriers to education.
Limitations of the Internet
- Bandwidth Variability: Network congestion and infrastructure quality can affect performance.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Cyberattacks and data breaches pose significant risks.
- Digital Divide: Unequal access to the internet exacerbates social and economic inequalities.
- Don't confuse the internet with the worldwide web.
- The internet is the underlying network infrastructure, while the WWW is a service that operates on top of it.
Cloud Computing
Purpose of Cloud Computing
- Scalable Resources: Provides on-demand access to computing power, storage, and applications.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for organizations to invest in and maintain physical hardware.
- Think of cloud computing like a utility service.
- Just as you pay for electricity based on usage, cloud services charge based on the resources you consume.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
- Scalability: Resources can be easily scaled up or down based on demand.
- Accessibility: Data and applications are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Disaster Recovery: Cloud providers offer backup and recovery solutions to ensure data integrity.
A school can use cloud-based platforms like Google Workspace to manage documents, emails, and collaboration tools without maintaining on-site servers.
Limitations of Cloud Computing
- Internet Dependency: Reliable internet access is required to use cloud services.
- Data Security: Storing sensitive data off-site raises concerns about privacy and compliance.
- Latency: Physical distance between users and cloud servers can introduce delays in data processing.
The shared responsibility model in cloud computing means that while providers secure the infrastructure, users must manage their data security and access controls.
Distributed Systems
Purpose of Distributed Systems
- Resource Sharing: Distributes tasks across multiple nodes to improve efficiency and reliability.
- Scalability: Allows systems to expand by adding more nodes.
Apache Hadoop is a distributed system that processes large datasets across clusters of computers, enhancing computational power and fault tolerance.
Benefits of Distributed Systems
- Improved Performance: Tasks are parallelized across multiple nodes, increasing processing speed.
- Fault Tolerance: The system can continue to operate even if some nodes fail.
- Scalability: Easily accommodates increased workloads by adding more nodes.
When designing distributed systems, consider data consistency and concurrency control to ensure reliable operation across nodes.
