SECTION 5: Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

Question 1

What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?

Answer 1

A network covering a small geographical area, usually owned by one organisation.

Question 2

What is a WAN (Wide Area Network)?

Answer 2

A network over a large geographical area that uses third-party infrastructure (e.g. the internet).

Question 3

What are the advantages of a LAN?

Answer 3

Share files/printers, central backups, software updates, communication.

Question 4

What factors affect network performance?

Answer 4

Bandwidth, number of devices, hardware quality, topology.

Question 5

What is bandwidth?

Answer 5

The amount of data that can be transmitted per second (measured in bits per second).

Question 6

What is a client-server network?

Answer 6

Network with a central server that manages resources and responds to client requests.

Question 7

What is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network?

Answer 7

Network where all devices are equal and share resources without a central server.

Question 8

One advantage of client-server network?

Answer 8

Easier to manage security and backups centrally.

Question 9

One advantage of P2P network?

Answer 9

No need for expensive server hardware.

Question 10

What is a NIC (Network Interface Controller)?

Answer 10

A hardware component that connects a computer to a network.

Question 11

What is a switch used for?

Answer 11

Connects devices in a LAN and directs data only to intended recipients.

Question 12

What is a router used for?

Answer 12

Directs data between different networks (e.g. between a LAN and the internet).

Question 13

What is a WAP (Wireless Access Point)?

Answer 13

Enables wireless devices to connect to a wired network.

Question 14

What is transmission media?

Answer 14

The physical pathway used to carry network signals (e.g. copper cable, fibre optics, radio waves).

Question 15

What is the internet?

Answer 15

A global WAN made up of interconnected networks.

Question 16

What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

Answer 16

A collection of web pages hosted on web servers and accessed via the internet.

Question 17

What is DNS (Domain Name System)?

Answer 17

Translates domain names into IP addresses.

Question 18

What is hosting?

Answer 18

Storing files on a server so they can be accessed online (e.g. websites).

Question 19

What is the cloud?

Answer 19

Using remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage and process data.

Question 20

Give 2 advantages of using cloud storage.

Answer 20

Access from anywhere, automatic backups.

Question 21

Give 2 disadvantages of cloud storage.

Answer 21

Requires internet, potential security/privacy issues.

Question 22

What is a protocol?

Answer 22

A set of rules for how devices communicate over a network.

Question 23

What does TCP do?

Answer 23

Splits data into packets and reassembles them in order.

Question 24

What does IP do?

Answer 24

Routes packets to the correct destination using IP addresses.

Question 25

What is HTTP used for?

Answer 25

Accessing web pages (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

Question 26

What is HTTPS used for?

Answer 26

Secure access to web pages (uses encryption).

Question 27

What is FTP used for?

Answer 27

Transferring files between computers.

Question 28

What is POP used for?

Answer 28

Downloads emails to your device and deletes them from the server.

Question 29

What is IMAP used for?

Answer 29

Accesses emails stored on the server — useful for multiple devices.

Question 30

What is SMTP used for?

Answer 30

Sends emails to a mail server.

Question 31

What is layering in networking?

Answer 31

Dividing protocols into layers, each with its own function.

Question 32

Name the 4 layers in the TCP/IP model.

Answer 32

Application, Transport, Network, Link.

Question 33

What happens at the Application layer?

Answer 33

Interfaces with user software (e.g. browsers, email).

Question 34

What happens at the Transport layer?

Answer 34

Splits data into packets and ensures correct delivery (TCP).

Question 35

What happens at the Network layer?

Answer 35

Adds IP addresses and routes packets.

Question 36

What happens at the Link layer?

Answer 36

Adds MAC addresses and sends data physically.

Question 37

One advantage of using layers?

Answer 37

Simplifies troubleshooting and development.

Question 38

What is a network topology?

Answer 38

The layout or structure of how devices connect in a network.

Question 39

What is a star topology?

Answer 39

All devices connect to a central switch or hub.

Question 40

One advantage of star topology?

Answer 40

Easy to add devices, one failure doesn’t affect others.

Question 41

One disadvantage of star topology?

Answer 41

If the switch fails, the whole network goes down.

Question 42

What is a mesh topology?

Answer 42

Each device connects directly to multiple others.

Question 43

One advantage of mesh topology?

Answer 43

Very reliable, no single point of failure.

Question 44

One disadvantage of mesh topology?

Answer 44

Expensive due to lots of cabling or complex setup.

Question 45

What is an IP address?

Answer 45

A unique number that identifies a device on a network.

Question 46

What is a MAC address?

Answer 46

A unique identifier for a network interface, set in hardware.

Question 47

When is an IP address used?

Answer 47

When sending data across networks (e.g. the internet).

Question 48

When is a MAC address used?

Answer 48

For communication within a local network.

Question 49

What is packet switching?

Answer 49

Data is split into packets and sent independently across a network.

Question 50

What info is in a data packet?

Answer 50

Sender IP, receiver IP, packet number, and data.

Question 51

Why use packet switching?

Answer 51

Efficient use of network paths and allows for error checking.

Question 52

What is a firewall?

Answer 52

Software or hardware that blocks unauthorised access to a network.

Question 53

What is encryption?

Answer 53

Scrambling data so only authorised users can read it.