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IB Year 1 Higher Level Computer Science

Wednesday 29 January 2025 - Block 1
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Daily Note

Hello class! 

I can finally use a computer (thanks to my family for dictating these last few daily notes). 

  1. I'm probably out for at least one more week. Life pro tip: don't get viral meningitis, it really isn't very fun
  2. I am fully-aware missing this much instructional time is bad. Now that I have a computer, I can send you more constructive work.
  3. Please dont worrk about falling behind our schedule, I always build in a bit of wiggle-room. 

We are learning about networking and how networks work. Today, I want to focus specifiically on VPN's

Please follow these steps: 

  1. Please watch, listen, and understand this video about VPN's it an advertisement, but it's quite good.
  2. Please watch, listen and understand this video about VPN's it is a much deeper treatement of the topic.
  3. Please scan through the wiki page on VPN's
  4. Please read and understand this text
  5. Please complete the quiz at the end

Summary of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows a private network to extend across a public network, enabling users to securely send and receive data as if directly connected to the private network. VPNs offer the functionality, security, and management of private networks for applications using them.

Required Technologies for a VPN

To set up a VPN, you need:

  1. A LAN (Local Area Network) connected to the internet.
  2. A computer outside the LAN, also connected to the internet.
  3. A VPN client (software on the external machine) and a VPN server on the LAN.
  4. An internet connection for both the LAN and the external device.

Additionally, VPNs depend on two key technologies:

  • Encryption: The process of encoding messages so only authorized parties can access them.

    • Prevents unauthorized users from understanding the data, even if intercepted.
    • Common encryption protocols include:
      • SSL 3.0 (Secure Socket Layer 3)
      • TLS (Transport Layer Security)
      • IPsec (Internet Protocol Security)

  • Tunneling: Encapsulation of private network communication to securely move data across public networks (e.g., the internet).

    • Tunneling allows private services to be accessed through unsupported networks.

Evaluating the Use of VPNs

Advantages:

  1. Increased Privacy: Protects user data from interception on public networks.
  2. Enhanced Security: Encrypts data, reducing the risk of cyberattacks.
  3. Flexible Work Hours: Enables secure remote access to work resources.
  4. Cost-Effective Work Options: Facilitates remote work, potentially reducing office costs.

Disadvantages:

  1. Potential for Isolation: Remote work enabled by VPNs can limit social interaction.
  2. Increased Distractions: Home environments may reduce productivity.
  3. Challenges in Relationship Building: Remote setups may hinder professional networking and collaboration.

Additional Notes:

  • VPNs are widely used in modern computing for secure communication, especially in remote work and accessing restricted networks.
  • Encryption and tunneling are essential concepts to understand for any discussion about VPNs.
  • Real-world applications often balance the security benefits of VPNs with their potential social and professional impacts.

VPN Quiz Using IB Command Terms

  1. Identify the two key technologies required for a VPN and briefly describe their roles in ensuring secure communication. (2 marks)

  2. Outline the steps needed to establish a VPN connection between a LAN and an external computer. (3 marks)

  3. Explain how encryption ensures data security in a VPN. Include an example of an encryption protocol used in VPNs. (4 marks)

  4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a VPN in the context of remote work. (6 marks)

  5. Evaluate the role of tunneling in facilitating secure communication over public networks, considering its limitations. (5 marks)

 

 

 

 

Mark Scheme for VPN Quiz

1. Identify the two key technologies required for a VPN and briefly describe their roles in ensuring secure communication. (2 marks)

  • 1 mark: Identification of encryption.
  • 1 mark: Identification of tunneling.
  • Note: No marks awarded if only one technology is identified. Descriptions are not required for this question.

2. Outline the steps needed to establish a VPN connection between a LAN and an external computer. (3 marks)

  • 1 mark: Connect the LAN to the internet.
  • 1 mark: Connect the external computer to the internet.
  • 1 mark: Establish the VPN connection using a VPN client on the external computer and a VPN server on the LAN.
  • Note: Steps must be in logical order; partial credit may be awarded for partially correct outlines.

3. Explain how encryption ensures data security in a VPN. Include an example of an encryption protocol used in VPNs. (4 marks)

  • 1 mark: Correct definition of encryption (e.g., encoding data so only authorized parties can access it).
  • 1 mark: Explanation of how encryption prevents unauthorized access even if data is intercepted.
  • 1 mark: Mention of at least one encryption protocol (e.g., SSL, TLS, or IPsec).
  • 1 mark: Logical, clear connection between encryption and secure data transmission.
  • Note: Full marks require a complete explanation and a relevant protocol example.

4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a VPN in the context of remote work. (6 marks)

  • 1 mark: Identification of one advantage (e.g., increased privacy, enhanced security, or flexible work options).
  • 1 mark: Explanation of the chosen advantage with specific details.
  • 1 mark: Identification of one disadvantage (e.g., isolation, distractions, or difficulty building relationships).
  • 1 mark: Explanation of the chosen disadvantage with specific details.
  • 2 marks: Balanced discussion that compares advantages and disadvantages in the context of remote work.
  • Note: To achieve full marks, the response must address at least one advantage and one disadvantage in detail, with a clear comparison.

5. Evaluate the role of tunneling in facilitating secure communication over public networks, considering its limitations. (5 marks)

  • 1 mark: Explanation of what tunneling is (e.g., encapsulating private communication to send data securely over public networks).
  • 1 mark: Identification of one benefit of tunneling (e.g., secure data transfer across unsupported networks).
  • 1 mark: Explanation of the benefit with a specific example or scenario.
  • 1 mark: Identification of one limitation of tunneling (e.g., reliance on robust protocols, potential vulnerabilities).
  • 1 mark: Critical evaluation of how tunneling balances its benefits and limitations, supported by reasoning or examples.
  • Note: Full marks require clear reasoning and a balanced evaluation. Marks may be reduced for vague or incomplete responses.

Total Marks: 20

  • Ensure students provide clear, logical, and relevant answers. Award partial marks where applicable for partially correct responses or incomplete explanations.

 

A little less comfortable

Process

You should be revising our content for 20 minutes each day. As you learning about networking topics you should be asking yourself how you can apply your understanding (how do I go from theoretical to practical). I would love to hear from you, "How can we use this information practically?". 

Product

As you are learning you should be taking notes, and developing a cookbook or spellbook. Most system administrators have a book of hints and tips they keep with them. You should have a digital text file or written notebook with helpful reminders to understand the deeper parts of your system. 

Content

At the end of the day, you should be able to apply your understanding of network issues to solve problems. You should understand the maxim "Packets never lie". 

A little more comfortable

Process

You should be revising our content for 20 minutes each day. As you learning about networking topics you should be asking yourself how you can apply your understanding (how do I go from theoretical to practical). I would love to hear from you, "How can we use this information practically?". You should be developing study guide for yourself, and using the tools we learn in class to see what is really going on with your computer, from a networking point of view. It would be good to run some simple experiments; as you are monitoring network connections, see what different applications do with your network. Any processes using network without your knowledge?

Product

As you are learning you should be taking notes, and developing a cookbook or spellbook. Most system administrators have a book of hints and tips they keep with them. You should have a digital text file or written notebook with helpful reminders to understand the deeper parts of your system. You should have backups of this helpful little guide of tips and tricks. Feel free to collaboratively share this with friends. 

Content

At the end of the day, you should be able to apply your understanding of network issues to solve problems. You should understand the maxim "packets never lie". At a more comfortable level you should be applying your understanding of networks to see how applications are using networking resources. Whenever there is a network configuration issue or problem, you should know "about" where to look. 

Statement of Inquiry

The big idea for today is Networking.

The essential questions for this topic are:

How does a computer network really work?

It takes time to explore and really understand a big idea. If you want to
learn more about networking (which is connected to today's daily note), please click here .

We are learning this because as a designers must understand scientific and technical innovation. Designers use systems, models, methods, and processes to solve problems.



Tags

grade_11

 

Reminders & routines:

Please read and follow these reminders:

  1. IF this_class == first_class_of_day:
         read_daily_bulletin()
     
  2. IF today == Friday:
         careers_in_computing()

 

Our learning

This is a beta feature. Please let me know if you have any feedback.

Please click here to reflect on our learning for today's class.