Year 8 · Computing · Networks · Lesson 2

The internet, packets and protocols

How the internet works: the internet versus the web, IP addresses, packet switching, protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, DNS and SMTP, and encryption.

19-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

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What your child will learn

Tell the internet from the web
Explain packets and packet switching
Define protocols and give examples
Explain HTTPS and encryption
Explain DNS and IP addresses

The method

Use the right key word.
Say what it does.
Say why it matters.
Give an example.

Key words: internet, World Wide Web, packet, protocol, IP address, DNS, HTTPS.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

What is the internet?

Step 1: A global network of networks

Answer: A worldwide network of connected networks

Question 2

Is email part of the World Wide Web?

Step 1: Uses the internet, but isn't websites

Answer: No (it uses the internet, but it's not the web)

Question 3

What is an IP address?

Step 1: A number that identifies a device on the internet
Step 2: e.g. 192.168.1.10

Answer: A unique number identifying a device on a network