Networks *

Question 1

List 5 advantages of networking

Answer 1

• users can share files
• users can share peripherals (printers and connections to other networks, eg. the internet)
• users can access their files from any computer on the networks
• servers can control security, software updates and backup of data
• communication with other people, eg. email and social networking

Question 2

What is a LAN?

Answer 2

Local Area Network

• covers a small geographical area on a single site
• all the hardware for a LAN is owned by the organisation using it
• LANs are wired with UTP cable, fibre optic or wireless using Wi-Fi

Question 3

What is a WAN?

Answer 3

Wide Area Network

• covers a large geographical area, connecting LANs together
• infrastructure between LANs is leased from telecommunication companies who own and manage it
• WANs are connected with telephone lines, fibre optic cables or satellite links

Question 4

List 4 disadvantages of networking

Answer 4

• increased security risks to data
• malware and viruses spread very easily between computers
• if a server fails, the computers connected to it may not work
• the computer may run more slowly if there is a lot of data travelling on the network

Question 5

What is bandwidth?

Answer 5

the amount of data that can be moved to one point from another in a given time

Question 6

How is bandwidth measured?

Answer 6

bits per second

Question 7

Give 3 pros and cons of wired networks

Answer 7

pros:
faster connection
higher bandwidth
more secure

cons:
takes longer to connect devices - each device needs cables
not portable
more expensive

Question 8

Give 3 pros and cons of wireless networks

Answer 8

pros:
no wires
portable
quicker and cheaper to connect devices

cons:
lower bandwidth
connections can be weakened by walls and ceilings
less secure

Question 9

What are packets?

Answer 9

small parts of a file

Question 10

How are packets sent over the internet?

Answer 10

they can take different routes on their way to their destination and will be sent in the correct order

Question 11

How are packets assembled into the right order at the receiving end?

Answer 11

the packet contains a sequence number which is used by the computer to put them in the right order

Question 12

What are IP addresses used for?

Answer 12

to identify a device on the internet and route the packets

Question 13

What is the internet?

Answer 13

a worldwide network of computers

Question 14

What is the TCP?

Answer 14

transmission control protocol

splits messages into packets and assembles them in the right order at the receiving end

Question 15

What is the VoIP?

Answer 15

voice over internet protocol

allows voice data to be sent in packets over the internet

Question 16

What are two issues of the IoT (internet of things)

Answer 16

privacy - devices collect and share information about you without your knowledge
security - devices could be hacked

Question 17

What is a URL

Answer 17

a web address

Question 18

What is DNS?

Answer 18

domain name server

it stores URLs with their corresponding IP addresses

Question 19

What is cloud computing?

Answer 19

storing and using devices online instead of locally on a device

Question 20

What is POP?

Answer 20

post office protocol

retrieves emails from email servers

Question 21

What is FTP?

Answer 21

file transfer protocol

transfers files over a network