Explain why a distributed network such as the World Wide Web may act as a catalyst to increase the collaboration between different IB World Schools.

Explain one function of a web browser.

Describe how a domain name server (DNS) functions.

Explain how the use of a distributed network, such as the World Wide Web, may lead to copyright and intellectual property issues.

Award [3 max].
The Internet is growing exponentially meaning that more and more nodes (in this case IB World Schools) can be added;
This has led to greater connectivity between the different nodes;
However, the number of hops required to transmit information from one node to another is growing linearly;
Therefore, each node can access the increased number of nodes with no discernible latency which makes increased levels of collaboration between these nodes possible and desirable;

Award [3 max].
Browser Retrieves a Web Page;
The web browser retrieves (or fetches) code, usually written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and other computer languages, from a web server;
Then, it interprets this code and displays it as a web page for you to view;

Browser acts as a bridge between URL and DNS;
The user inputs the URL / website domain name on web browser’s address bar;
The web browser passes this website domain name to a domain name server;

Award [3 max].
User type the domain name into the URL search area on the web browser and press “Enter” on the keyboard.

The domain name is intercepted by a “Domain Name Server” or DNS.

The main function of the DNS is to look up in its database the domain name you have typed and find the matching IP address.

It then forwards the request onwards, using this address.

If it cannot find the IP address in its own database, it then contacts other Domain Name Servers until it finds it, or if it can't find it anywhere, it displays a “web site not found” message to you.

When the request reaches the destination, the pages are sent back.

Award [5 max].
Copyright issues [3 max]
Copyright issues may occur because of the ease of access to materials on the World Wide Web;
When material is accessed on the World Wide Web it may breach copyright rules in a number of ways (such as copying / publishing/ public display), often without the user realizing they have done so;
It may also be a potential issue of the user is not aware of the complicated and extensive copyright laws;
The continuing technical evolution of the web may mean that new practices emerge that may inadvertently breach existing copyright laws;

IP [3 max]
Potential IP issues may occur with web sites for a number of reasons such as being linked to copyright, trademarks, patents;
When material is downloaded it may breach IP rights;
When material is modified without author’s permission;
These IP rights may vary between countries which leads to some acts being an IP issue on one country, but not in another;

There were a lot of vague responses with few homing in on the fact that the "distributed" nature of the web was the key element.

Being an "explain" question the answers required knowledge of "how" or "why". Not that many explained the importance of the translation feature of a browser.

Most candidates identified some of the steps involved but omitted to say that the IP address would be returned to the original browser.

This wasn't particularly well-answered with few understanding the differences between intellectual property and copyright issues. Many alluded to the problems of identification but few included the idea that regulations differ from country to country.