1.3.2 - Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers

Question 1

Examples of wireless connection methods

Answer 1

• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth

Question 2

Give an example of a wired connection method

Answer 2

Ethernet

Question 3

Advantages of wired connection

Answer 3

• Faster transmission speeds
• More secure

Question 4

Disadvantages of wired connection

Answer 4

• Expensive to install
• Installation requires technical knowledge

Question 5

Advantages of wireless connection

Answer 5

• Cheaper to set up
• Allows devices to move around whilst still being connected

Question 6

Disadvantages of wireless connection

Answer 6

• Less secure as radio waves can be intercepted
• Less reliable range
• Slower transmission speeds
• Subject to interference

Question 7

What is encryption

Answer 7

A way of scrambling data so that if it is intercepted, it cannot be understood - secures it whilst travelling across a network

Question 8

Examples of how encryption is used

Answer 8

• Online purchases are encrypted
• Satellite TV transmission are encrypted so only people paying can access them

Question 9

What is needed to read an encrypted message

Answer 9

Keys. The recipient and the sender have one each

Question 10

What is an IP address

Answer 10

An internet protocol address which is unique to each device connected to a network and allows the device to be located

Question 11

Can an IP address be changed

Answer 11

Yes, it can be changed if the device is connected to a different network

Question 12

What are the two formats of IP addresses

Answer 12

• IPv4 e.g. 255.34.21.246
• IPv6

Question 13

What is a MAC address

Answer 13

A unique number assigned to every device’s NIC allowing the device to be identified

Question 14

Can a MAC address be changed

Answer 14

No, it is assigned by the manufacturer

Question 15

What is a Network Standard

Answer 15

All the networks and the devices on them follow the same rules

Question 16

What does a network standard allow

Answer 16

Different hardware and software to interact regardless of the manufacturer

Question 17

What is a protocol

Answer 17

A set of rules that governs communication (data transmission)

Question 18

What protocols are used for communication between a web server and client

Answer 18

HTTP or HTTPS

Question 19

What does SMTP govern?

Answer 19

Governs the sending emails over a network to a web server

Question 20

What does FTP govern

Answer 20

Governs the transmission of files over the internet or a network

Question 21

What do POP and IMAP govern

Answer 21

Governs the retrieval of emails from a mail server

Question 22

What do HTTP and HTTPS govern

Answer 22

They govern the communication between a web server and a client

Question 23

Difference between HTTP and HTTPS

Answer 23

HTTPS is more secure as it is encrypted so can be used for bank transactions

Question 24

What does TCP/IP enable

Answer 24

Communication over the internet

Question 25

What is layering

Answer 25

Network layering involves breaking down a message into separate parts that control a separate part of the communication

Question 26

Benefits of layering in protocols

Answer 26

• Allows standards to be developed
• Allows future adaptations to be made to just that layer without impacting the whole protocol
• Layers are self contained within their purpose so manufacturers that operate on one layer only need to be concerned with that layers protocols