Community resourceWorksheet

J277 1.3.1 Internet, DNS, hosting and cloud

Part 4 of 7 · J277 1.3 · Networks

One request followed from a browser to an online resource, taking in DNS, hosting and cloud services.

Students will:

  • describe the internet as a worldwide collection of networks
  • distinguish a web client from a web server
  • explain hosting
  • describe how DNS converts a domain name into an IP address
  • evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of cloud services

Inside: 5 explanation cells, 3 multiple-choice questions, 2 fill-in-the-blanks cells and 4 written answers. 35 marks, about 60 minutes.

Series: J277 1.3 · Networks, part 4 of 7.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 14 cells
  • About 60 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 17 Aug 2026
  • Updated 9 Sept 2026

Preview

The whole resource, exactly as a class sees it. Answers and marking are held back.

Networks 4: the Internet, DNS, hosting and cloud services

This worksheet follows a request from a browser to an online resource.

By the end, you should be able to:

  • describe the Internet as a worldwide collection of computer networks
  • distinguish a web client from a web server
  • explain hosting
  • describe how DNS converts a domain name from a URL into an IP address
  • identify storage, software and processing as cloud services
  • evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of cloud services

Work through the explanation, checks and applications in order. Use the final challenge to connect several network ideas.

1. A network of networks

The Internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected computer networks. It is the underlying network infrastructure. The World Wide Web is one service that uses it.

A web client, usually a browser, requests a resource. A web server provides the requested web page or other resource.

Hosting means storing a website or service on a server and making it available for clients to access over a network. A web server can provide pages, while a file server can provide file storage and retrieval.

The client and server are performing roles. Your browser is a client when it requests a page from a web server.

Fill in the blanks6 marks
The label 1 is a worldwide collection of connected networks. A label 2 label 3 a page and a label 4 label 5 it. Making the site available on a server is called label 6.
  • provides
  • Internet
  • hosting
  • web client
  • requests
  • peer
  • web server
Multiple choice1 mark

Which statement correctly distinguishes the Internet from the World Wide Web?

  • AThe Web is the physical network and the Internet is one website
  • BThey are two names for a single web server
  • CThe Internet only connects computers inside one building
  • DThe Internet is the connected network infrastructure, while the Web is a service that uses it

2. DNS turns names into addresses

People remember domain names more easily than IP addresses. The Domain Name Service (DNS) is made up of multiple Domain Name Servers. These servers store or locate mappings between domain names and corresponding IP addresses.

A simplified sequence is:

  1. The browser checks whether it already has a suitable cached result.
  2. If needed, it sends the domain name from the URL to a DNS server.
  3. The DNS server checks its records or cache for the corresponding IP address.
  4. If it cannot answer, it contacts one or more other Domain Name Servers to locate the mapping.
  5. The resolved IP address is returned to the client.
  6. The client can then send its request towards the web server at that IP address.

DNS does not return the web page itself. It resolves the domain name so the client can locate the server.

From a URL to a web page using DNS A user enters a URL. A DNS server returns the matching IP address. The browser sends a request to the web server at that address, and the web server returns the web page. Browserenter a URL DNS serverfind the IP address Web serverhost the web page 1. send domain name 2. return IP address 3. request the page from that IP address 4. return web-page data DNS returns an address; it does not send the website.
Fill in the blanks4 marks
The browser may first check for a label 1. It then sends the label 2 to a label 3, which returns the matching label 4.
  • domain name
  • DNS server
  • IP address
  • web page
  • cached result
  • MAC address
Multiple choice1 mark

What is the main role of DNS when a student enters a website address?

  • AFind the IP address associated with the domain name
  • BStore every web page on the Internet
  • CIncrease the bandwidth of the student's connection
  • DReplace the web client with a server
Written answer4 marks

Describe how DNS helps a browser reach a website when the required address is not already cached.

Use sequence words: first, next, if not found, finally. Begin with the domain name and end with the browser receiving the corresponding IP address.

Students type their answer here.

3. Cloud services

The cloud is remote service provision over a network. A provider can supply:

  • storage, such as files kept on remote servers
  • software, used through a browser or app without installing and managing every part locally
  • processing, where remote servers perform work for the client

Possible benefits include access from different locations and devices, collaboration, scalable capacity, provider-managed maintenance and reduced need for local server hardware.

Possible drawbacks include dependence on an Internet connection, ongoing subscription cost, service outages, and reliance on the provider for security, backup and availability. Organisations may also be concerned about privacy, data location and ownership.

Apply each point to the scenario. For example: If the Internet connection fails during a lesson, students cannot reach files stored only in the cloud.

Do not claim that cloud storage is automatically less secure. The relevant drawback is that the customer relies on the provider and has less direct control over where data is stored, which security measures are used and when the service is available.

Multiple choice, several answers3 marks

Which are examples of remote cloud service provision? Select all that apply.

  • AWriting a file only to a disconnected local USB drive
  • BStoring files on a provider's remote servers
  • CReplacing a broken network cable
  • DUsing software delivered through a browser
  • EUsing remote servers to process a large task
Written answer6 marks

A school is considering moving student files and office software to cloud services. Explain two benefits and two drawbacks for the school.

For each point use: 'One benefit or drawback is... This matters to the school because...'. Apply every point to files, software, lessons or responsibilities.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer4 marks

A browser receives the correct IP address from DNS, but the website still does not load. Explain why this evidence suggests DNS completed its job, then give two other possible causes.

Separate name resolution from the later request to the hosted web service.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

Challenge: a student enters a website address and opens a document stored in the cloud. Explain the journey using the ideas client, DNS, IP address, Internet, web server, hosting and cloud.

Write the events in order. Use one sentence for each stage: request, DNS resolution, travel across the Internet, hosted server response and cloud resource access.

Students type their answer here.

Final check

Without looking back, reconstruct the journey from entering a URL to receiving a hosted web page. Include client, DNS, IP address, Internet and web server. Then list the three kinds of remote cloud provision.

Check that you can explain:

  • the Internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks
  • a web client requests and a web server provides
  • hosting makes a website or service available from a server
  • DNS uses multiple Domain Name Servers to return an IP address for a domain name
  • cloud services provide remote storage, software or processing
  • cloud decisions require balanced, applied benefits and drawbacks