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OCR GCSE Computing Paper 1 > 3 - Network Connections and Protocols > Flashcards

3 - Network Connections and Protocols Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the internet?

A

A collection of interconnected networks.
World wide web is information system of interlinked web pages and other resources. A service that makes use of the internet.

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2
Q

What are WANs and give features.

A

Wide area network
Uses cables, telephone lines, satelite and radiowaves
Can be used in multiple geographically distant locations.
Internet is largest WAN
Organisations that use WAN: universities and schools, large companies, governments, research organisations.
Used by third party carries/ communication channels such as BT

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3
Q

What is IOT

A

Internet of things - electronic devices

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4
Q

What is an IP

A

Internet protocol address.
Each computer has one.
Belongs to router and can change depending on location.

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5
Q

What is an IPv4 and give an example

A

Four 8 bit numbers seperated by dots.
Each value less than 255
e.g. 192.2.8.21

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6
Q

What is an IPv6 and give an example?

A

IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers, often displayed as eight groups of four hex digits. 0-ffff seperated by colons.
Example: 2001 : 0db8 : 85a3 : 0000 : 0000 : 8a2e : 0370 : 7334.

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7
Q

What is circuit switching?

A

Used during phone calls
Dedicated connection set up between callers for duration of the call.

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8
Q

What are the steps of packet switching?

A

Files broken down into data packets with each packet containing same amount of file.

Each packet given header containing: IP addresses of sender and recepient, sequence number, number of packets in whole communication and error checking data.

Packets may take different routes through internet. They are marked with packet number to be put back together by receiver.

Recepient computer reorders packet into correct order and checks packets for errors whilst requesting corrupt packets to be resent

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9
Q

What is a Node?

A

Point on a network diagram representing a device.

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10
Q

What is a router?

A

Nodes that can route packets from one place to another.

One of the most commonly used connection devices.
Used to send data signals across the internet.
Collect knowledge of available routes to transmit data.
Determine the most suitable route for sending data.

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11
Q

What is a DNS and how do their servers work?

A

Domain name system - Made up of system domains. Servers translate web address –> Ip addresses
13 DNS root servers worldwide containing complete database if all IP’s and domain names.

Process: Low level DNS servers hold parts of database, DNS receiver request not in database, request passed onto higher level server until reaches one with matching IP and name.

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12
Q

What is an NIC

A

Network interface card foudn in every networked device. Can be wireless with antenna or wired with network cable socket.

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13
Q

What is a MAC address and how is it used?

A

Media Access Control address
Assigned to each NIC by manafacturer.
Computer may have multiple if using ethernet or wi-fi
smartphones use bluetooth and wi-fi
Each networked device has unique MAC

When you request web page, routers along the way use MAC of next router to send data packet on its journey.

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14
Q

What is a LAN?

A

Local Area network
Operates on single site
Infrastructure owned and managed by netowrk owner
Uses cabling

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15
Q

Advantages of a LAN

A

Share resources e.g. printer
Files accessible through any computer in entwork
Daya easy to back as it is stored centrally on the server

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16
Q

Disadvantages of LAN

A

Hardware expensive
Managing large networks is complicated
Viruses and Malware can infilitrate network and infect every computer.

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17
Q

What is are network topologies?

A

Ways in which parts of a system are connected.
Types: Star and Mesh

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18
Q

What is a Star topology and its advantages?

A

Devices are all connected to a central switch. Allows for fast data transfer. if one cable fails, other computers are not affected.

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19
Q

What are the disadvantages of Star Topologies?

A

uRequires additional hardware like central switch + network cables
If central switch fails, network goes down

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20
Q

What is the difference between full and partial Mesh topology?

A

Full - all nodes are connected
Partial - not all nodes are connected

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21
Q

What are the advantages of a Mesh topology?

A

No single point of failure - resilient
No disruption when modifying network
Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously

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22
Q

What are the disadvantages of a Mesh Topology?

A

Redundant connections
Expensive cabling if using wire connections
Network maintenance + administration is difficult

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23
Q

Why are partial mesh networks used?

A

Used in cojunction with star topologies to create larger networks.
Many parts of Internet operate as partial mesh.
Mesh wifi is increasing in popularity.

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24
Q

How do wireless mesh networks work?

A

Only one node needs wired internet connection.
More nodes = more routes for data travel
Node with broadcast distance of three other nodes= triple bandwidth
As distance between nodes halves - signal strength x 4

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25
What is a Switch?
Network devices that record which computers are connected to which ports. When traffic is received, the switch forwards the traffic to its intended recipient only. Improves network performance by cutting down on unnecessary transmissions from older style networks.
26
What is a Hub?
Sends data to all connected computers.
27
What do Switches and Routers have in common?
Provide access to a LAN
28
What is a Modem?
It is required to connect to he Intenret. Usually combined with a router.
29
What is a WAP?
Wireless Access Point - Connects wireless devices to a network
30
What are Ethernet protocols?
Family of standard local networking protocols. Describes how devices should format data ready for transmissions between computers on same network.
31
What is Bluetooth and its features?
Wireless method of connecting devices 2.4Ghz, Devices must be 10 metres of each toher, devices need to be paired.
32
What is pairing?
A persistent link made between devices; passkey is required in order to pair and is remembered.
33
What is Wireless transmission?
Uses radiowaves for communication. Susceptible to interference from nearby electronics and radiowaves.
34
What is a Wireless NIC?
Built into every networked device capable of wireless connect.
35
What is a WAP?
Device that allows wireless devices to connect to wired network using Wi-fi, usually connects to router via wired network.
36
What are the 2 802.11 standards and their features?
802.11b/g/h - 2.4Ghz 802.11a/n/ac - 5Ghz
37
Advantages and Disadvantages of 2.4Ghz
Greater range and coverage More interference as it is a crowded frequency.
38
Advantages and Disadvantages of 5Ghz
Less crowded with 23 non overlapping channels with higher data transmission rates Less able to penetrate walls.
39
What is Encryption?
Encodes dta so that it can no longer be easily understood. Process of converting plaintext to ciphertext.
40
What is Plaintext?
The orignal message before encryption.
41
What is Ciphertext?
Encrypted message
42
What is a Key?
Sequence of numbers used to encrypt, decrypt data using mathematical formula.
43
What is an Encryption algorithm?
Formula for encrypting plaintext.
44
What is a Private key?
Symmetric encryption - single key used to encrypt and decrypt message and must be given to recepient of message to decrypt data. Example: Caesar shift cipher. Letter shifted by a given number.
45
What is a Public key?
Asymmetric encryption) - puble key which encrypts and private key to decrypt. More secure as no sending and recealing decryption key.
46
Why is network encryption necessary?
Wi-fi and wired connections vulnerable to eavesdroppers as signal can be listened to from afar.
47
What are the Wireless encyption standards?
WEP - (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) - older card can be cracked in seconds so is no longer used. WPA (Wi-fi protected access) - encrypted HTTPS - encrypts data sent and required from websites.
48
What is the difference between strong and weak encryption?
Strong encryption - useful lifetime of encrypted data is less than time taken to break the code. Weak encryption - code broken in time but not worth the effort.
49
What is transmission media?
Methods of connecting computer e.g. copper cable, fibre optics, Wi-fi
50
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of copper cables (electricity)?
Tried and trusted technology which is relatively inexpensive. Signal is affected by electric and magnetic fields. Low bandwidth with heavy cables.
51
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Fibre optic cable (light)?
Fast data transmission. Low loss of signal over distance and is not affected by magnetic or electric fields. Requires little power More difficult to tap into then copper High investment cost Need for expensive optical transmitters and receivers.
52
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Wireless transmission (radiowaves)?
No need for wires Allow devices to be used anywhere provided there is signal Easier to add devices to network Data transmission rate less than wired. Signal can be blocked by obstacles. increased security issues.
53
What are the factors affecting network performance?
Bandwidth - amount of data that can be carried through a connection at a time. ( speed Mgbps - Megabits per second) Latency - length of time a packet of information takes to travel through the network or the delay between client and server.
54
What is web hosting and what are hosting service providers?
Web hosting - service offered by cimpanies that will host web pages and files for websites. They provide database servers. Providers are companies that provide more general hosting such as backup servers.
55
What are the advantages of hosting?
Web hosts have more bandwith for more users. Equipment monitored 24h a day Backup web sites remotely
56
What is the Cloud and what are examples of Cloud computing applications?
Cloud - services delivered over the internate enabling user to connect to any internet and enables computers to access these services. Examples : Google drive, Onedrive, Dropbox
57
What is Software as a Service?
SaaS - cloud based servers enabling access to software on demand. Software used on subscription basis Needs to be installed locally Accessible from any internet connected computer
58
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud computing
Access data and applications anywhere and anytime Everything stored and run remotely No need for powerful computer service provider backs up data. Personal data stored on another company's servers Service unusable and poor if there is poor internet or no internet Backup may not be as resilient as it seems.
59
What is a Server and its role?
Powerful computer which provides services or resources required by the clients. Waits for request Performs processing required to fulfill request Request data sent back to client
60
What is a Client and its role?
Computer or device which requests ervices or resources provided by the server Send request to server Waits for reply Receives reply
61
Advantages of a Client Server network
File server - Only one file server needs to be backed up adn files accessible from any computer. Email server - Central place for email that can be accessed from different servers. Print server - Manages all files to be printed. Can be managed by many computers.
62
What are the features of a Peer 2 Peer network?
Suitable for small companies with few computers No central server controlling files and security All computers see files from other computers Computers can communicate directly without a server.
63
Advantages of P2P
Easy to set up cabling No dedicated server equipment Individual computers can share a printer router modem or toher hardrive Direct communication between users
64
Disadvantages of P2P
Malware easily transferred through network Computer must have own backup system Files not stored centrally so harder to locate Data on computer irretrievable for other machines when powered off.
65
Features of a Client Server
Central backup server Security controlled by central server Server enables businesses to grow to many computers and users
66
Explain P2P on a WAN
P2P configuration usef for file sharing Used for illegal distribution of copyright material. Harder to close down.
67
What is a protcol and name the 8 of them
Protcol - set of rules HTTP HTTPS FTP POP IMAP SMTP TCP IP
68
What is HTTP and HTTPS
Hypertext transfer protocol - used for accessing and receiving web pages via the internet. Prootocol request web page from web server and server sends response containing web page. Secure Hypertext transfer protocol - encypts information so it cannot be understood by eavesdroppers. Examples: Banks, Online shops, Social networks
69
What is FTP?
File transfer protocol - used for sending or retrieving files to or from FTP server. Graphical interface allows files to be dragged from your computer to server.
70
How do emails work?
Email --> mail server using SMTP protcol Forwarded on by other SMTP srvers --> destination mail server and stored IMAP and POP used to access email
71
What is POP
Post office protcol - downloads new messages to your local device with them no longer being available on the server.
72
What is IMAP?
Internet Message Protocol - Leaves messages on server. Can be accessed by multiple devices and only removed if user deletes them.
73
What is SMTP?
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol - Email software sends email to SMTP server used by company or individual. Mail server realys message through other servers (Mail relays) Email arrives at destination mail server.
74
What is TCP?
Transmission control protocl - breaks ups messages sen tove rinternet into packets. Reassembles packets at other end and detects errors, resending lost messages.
75
What is IP?
Internet Protocol - routes individual packets from one IP address to another.
76
What is the TCP/IP protocl stack?
Defines our layers that enable communication over the itnernet. Each layer carries out a different role. Layers: Application Trasnport Internet Link All the indians laugh
77
What are the Advantages of Layers?
Self contained - functionality of one layer can be changed without affecting others. Interoperability between provider and systems - Senders and receivers using different software and hardware can communciate using same layer protocols.
78
What are the steps involved in receiving data?
Link removes MAC address and send packets --> Internet Internet removes IP --> Transport Transport reassembles packets and --> data to Application Application uses suitable protocol to correctly display data, web page or email from user.
79
What is the Application layer?
Applications such as email clients and web browsers create data to send. SMTP, FTP, HTTP operate here
80
What is the Transport layer?
Creates conection between two computers/ hosts. Data divided into packets and assigned packet number Packet's reassembled by recepient's transport layer. Lost packets resent TCP used here
81
What is the Internet layer?
Routes packets. Routers operate here. Source and destination addresses are written on to packet ready for transmission.
82
What is the Link layer?
Physical hardware. MAC, Ethernet and Wi-fi operate here.
83
What are wired connections?
Use physical cables Require NIC to connect to network Commonly use ethernet
84
Advantages and Disadvantages of wired connections
Faster, More secure, Little interference, Long range transmission Restriction of movement NIC required
85
What is wireless connection?
Wi-fi or Bluetooth No cables Requires WNIC (Wireless NIC)
86
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wireless connections
Freedom of movement, multiple devices, backup some devices cannot be wired Slower speed, connection affected by distance from router and obstacles Less secure Requires WNIC

OCR GCSE Computing Paper 1 (5 decks)

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