6.03 Internet Architecture and Packet Switching

6.3 Internet Architecture and Packet Switching Curriculum Page

Portfolio Reflection Questions:

1. (POGIL Activity 1) How does the geographical distance between the source and destination hosts on a network affect latency?
   • The geographical distance between the source and destination hosts on a network affect latency because the farther away the server is (how far the packet has to travel) the longer it will take for the user. (Longer the distance = Longer delay time)
2. What are the benefits of packet switching?
   • The benefits of packet switching include that it makes the process easier + quicker. It also makes the size of the internet grow much easier with the addition of extra routes for the packets. This technique also provides backup routes for the packets, ensuring they will reach their destination even if there are some failed connections.
3. (POGIL Activity 2) Missing Packets. What should happen if a packet goes missing? Who (which layer) would handle this? What action would they have to take? And what additional information would be needed in the packet in order to handle it?
   • If a packet goes missing, the TCP is in charge of checking with the other packets that were sent out to see which one is in fact missing. Based on this information, the computers that are sending and receiving the packets will need to communicate in order to figure out if retransmission is needed. Much of the time in the TCP, the lost packets, or data will be sent along with other future packets.
4. (POGIL Activity 2) Security/Privacy. As the packets are being transmitted through the network, can people other than the sender and receiver read the messages? What methods can we use to protect the message?
   • As packets are being transmitted through the network, other people other than the sender and the receiver can in fact read the messages. In order to protect messages, methods are used such as encryption.