Topic B - Transmitting Data

Question 1

Explain the roles of SMTP in the transmission of emails? (2 Mark)

Answer 1

SMTP simply manages outgoing emails, it used for sending emails from server to server until it reaches its recipients mail server.

Question 2

Explain the roles of IMAP in the transmission of emails? (2 Mark)

Answer 2

IMAP is used for receiving emails, it stores emails on the server, allowing access from multiple
devices and it synchronises email across devices.

Question 3

The proposed LAN has five PCs with wired connections.

Explain two implications of using a wired rather than a wireless connection? (4 Mark)

Answer 3

A wired connection can increase the risks of people health and safety as there is trailing cables all over the place, this can cause people to get injured.
A wired connection usually have a faster transmission speed than a wireless connection therefore this will allow large files to download quicker.

Question 4

Explain two advantages of using an Ethernet cable to connect to his laptop? (Must relate to the network, not the connection of the internet) (6 Mark)

Answer 4

Provide greater bandwidth which allow faster data transmission of larger files, this allow more files to be transmitted at the same time. This can improve the productivity.

The security of the Ethernet cable is better as it does not radiate signals, this would make hacking difficult and there is no need to give wireless access keys.

Question 5

Explain two benefits of using a VPN? (4 Mark)

Answer 5

Improved privacy when using shared computers as all traffic is kept inside the secure VPN tunnel.

The laptop connection will be encrypted even when
using a open network therefore this will prevent unauthorised access to his laptop.

Question 6

What is meant by a SMTP? (Email)

Answer 6

SMTP - The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is used to transfer email between mail servers. It is also used to transfer email from the client software to the outgoing mail server.

Question 7

What is meant by a IMAP? (Email)

Answer 7

IMAP - The Internet Message Access Protocol is used to retrieve emails from the mail server.
Rather than downloading the messages, IMAP syncs them with the mail server.

Question 8

What is meant by a POP3? (Email)

Answer 8

POP3 - The Post Office Protocol 3 is used to retrieve emails from the mail server. It allows us to download messages to our client software for offline reading.

Question 9

What is meant by a HTTP? (Web Pages)

Answer 9

HTTP - The Hyper Text Transfer Protocol is used to allow web servers and browsers to transfer files over the internet. It is how we access the World Wide Web.

Question 10

What is meant by a HTTPS? (Web Pages)

Answer 10

HTTPS - The secure version of the standard HTTP. It uses public key cryptography to encrypt communications between a web browser and server.

Question 11

What is meant by a FTP? (Web Pages)

Answer 11

FTP - The File Transfer Protocol is used to transfer files over a network. It is the technology used to upload files to a server as well as to download large files.

Question 12

What is meant by a SSL and TLS? (Security Protocols)

Answer 12

SSL (Secure Socket Layers) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are used to ensure that transactions (Finance, etc) over networks are kept safe. However SSL is gradually being phased out and replaced with TLS.

Question 13

What is meant by H.323 Voice Protocols? (Voice and Video Calls)

Answer 13

H.323 - This was one of the first successful VOIP protocols and is recommended by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union). It defines the rules for communicating audio and video over packet switched networks.

Question 14

What is meant by SIP? (Voice and video calls)

Answer 14

SIP - The Session Initiation Protocol is used to create, control and end VOIP connections.

Question 15

What is meant by RTP? (Voice and Video Calls)

Answer 15

RTP - The Real Time Transport Protocol is designed to transfer audio and video over IP-based networks.

Question 16

What is meant by TCP/IP?

Answer 16

TCP is used to create the packets and reassemble them at the end.
IP is used to route packets to the intended computer, using the computer IP address.

Question 17

What is the use of a Wi-Fi, explain 3 advantages of WiFi and 2 limitations? (Wireless system connection methods)

Answer 17

To connect devices wireless to local and wide area networks such as the internet.

High data transfer speeds.
Good Range.
Relatively cheap to install.

Can be complex.
Security concerns.

Question 18

What is the use of a 4G/3G, explain 2 advantages of 4G/3G and 2 limitations? (Wireless system connection methods)

Answer 18

To connect to the data networks such as the internet whilst on the move.

Allow true mobility.
4G provides for very fast connection speeds.

Heavy data usage can be costly.
Uses public networks.

Question 19

What is the use of a Satellite broadband, explain 2 advantages of Satellite broadband and 2 limitations? (Wireless system connection methods)

Answer 19

Provides connectivity to remote areas, often rural.

Wide coverage.
High speed.

High latency.
Subject to weather conditions.

Question 20

What is the use of a Microwave/Laser, explain 2 advantages of Microwave/Laser and 2 limitations? (Wireless system connection methods)

Answer 20

Allow point to point LAN connections between locations.

High speed.
No ongoing costs.

Affected by poor weather.
High initial cost.

Question 21

What is the use of a Bluetooth explain 2 advantages of Bluetooth and 2 limitations? (Wireless connection methods for devices)

Answer 21

For pairing devices over short distances, such as wireless headphones, watches, keyboards and mice.

Easy to set up.
Low power consumption.

Low data transfer speeds.
Very short range.

Question 22

What is the use of a WiFi Direct explain 2 advantages of WiFi Direct and 2 limitations? (Wireless connection methods for devices)

Answer 22

For connecting devices to remote displays.

Can transmit both audio and video.
Usually built in to devices.

Limited range.
Can affect data connectivity (Interference).

Question 23

What is the use of a WiFi explain 2 advantages of WiFi and 2 limitations? (Wireless connection methods for devices)

Answer 23

Allows ad-hoc networks to permit wireless printing/scanning, for example.

Simple setup.
Uses existing WiFi infrastructure.

Using ad-hoc networks can impact connectivity.

Question 24

What is the use of a VGA explain 2 advantages of VGA and 3 limitations? (Wired connection methods for devices)

Answer 24

Analogue connection of video display equipment such as projectors.

Universally used on high resolution display equipment.
Low cost cabling therefore it is cheap.

Cumbersome cabling.
Signal affected over distance.
No DRM. (Digital Right Management)

Question 25

What is the use of a HDMI explain 2 advantages of HDMI and 2 limitations? (Wired connection methods for devices)

Answer 25

Digital connection of both video and sound from devices to display equipment.

Capable of 8k and beyond resolution.
Used in computing and entertainment.

Limited length.
Cabling and technology can be expensive than a analogue equivalents such as VGA.

Question 26

What is the use of a USB explain 3 advantages of USB and 2 limitations? (Wired connection methods for devices)

Answer 26

Connecting equipment and peripherals, such as printers, scanners, input devices, cameras.

High speed capability.
Backwards compatibility.
Can connect multiple devices.

Limited distance.
Limited power supply.

Question 27

What is the use of a Cat5e (Ethernet) explain 2 advantages of Cat5e and 2 limitations? (Wired connection methods)

Answer 27

Telephone communications and ethernet networks.

Cheap compared to other networking options.
Versatile and widely available.

Limited flexibility as it is only useful over shorter distances.
More susceptible to interference than other wired techniques such as fibre.

Question 28

What is the use of a Coaxial explain 2 advantages of Coaxial and 2 limitations? (Wired connection methods)

Answer 28

Used for all types of data communication, commonly used in television cabling.

Less susceptible to interference than UTP/STP so work overs longer distances.
Cheap, though not as cheap as UTP/STP.

Limited bandwidth.
Thickness of cable make it difficult to work with
.

Question 29

What is the use of a Fibre Optic explain 3 advantages of Fibre Optic and 2 limitations? (Wired connection methods)

Answer 29

Telephone and Internet cables, cable television and computer networking.

Security is good as cable cannot be tapped.
Can be used over longer distances.
High data transfer rate.

Very expensive,
Not as easy to install as you require specialist skill needed to install.