1.3.3.1 & 1.3.3.2 (Networks) Types and characteristics of Networks

Question 1

What is a standalone machine?

Answer 1

A single computer device that isn’t connected to any network.

Question 2

What constitutes as a network

Answer 2

Two or more computer devices connect to each other.

Question 3

What are the 3 main scales of networks

Answer 3

• Personal Area Network (PAN)
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)

Question 4

What are the advantages of being on a network?

Answer 4

• Users can share files
• Can share peripherals and connections to other networks such as the internet
• Can access files from any computer on the network
• Servers can control security, software updates and backup of data
• Communication with other people (email)

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of being on a network?

Answer 5

• Increased security risk regarding stored data
• Malware and viruses spread very easily between computers
• If a server fails, the computers connected to it may not work.
• Computers may run slower if there is a lot data travelling on the network

Question 6

What is the standard for wired connections?

Answer 6

Ethernet cables

Question 7

What is the standard for wireless connections?

Answer 7

Wi-Fi

Question 8

What is a standard in computer networks?

Answer 8

A set of hardware and software specifications that allow manufacturers to make products and services that are compatible with each other.

Question 9

What are some examples of standards online?

Answer 9

• ASCII (character set)
• HTML (Webpage display)

Question 10

Why are layers used in networks?

Answer 10

Splits a complex networking task into several smaller components that work in tandem with one another

Question 11

What is a Local Area Network (LAN) and what hardware is used for LANs?

Answer 11

Any network that covers a small geographical area, typically located on a single site.

All the hardware for a LAN tends to be owned and controlled by the organisation using it.

LANs are typically connected using: UTP cable, fibre optic cables, Wi-fi

Question 12

What is a Wide Area Network (WAN) and what hardware is used for WANs?

Answer 12

Any network that covers a large geographical area. When multiple LANs physically located in different areas are connected, they form a WAN.

The infrastructure that connects LANs to form a WAN is leased from telecommunication companies who own and manage it. WANs are typically connected by: Telephone lines, Fibre optic cables, Satellite links.

Question 13

What is the most popular WAN

Answer 13

The Internet

Question 14

What are some of the services the Internet offers?

Answer 14

The World Wide Web
Sharing files
Streaming
Communication
Online gaming
Uploading content

Question 15

Go through the 5 steps of the Domain Name System (DNS)

Answer 15

1) A user request a URL via a browser (e.g: www.bbc.co.uk)

2) The browser sends the domain name to a Domain Name System (DNS)

3)The DNS maps the domain name to an IP address and returns it to the browser.

4) A GET request for the web page or resource is sent to the web server using the IP address

5) The requested web page or resource is returned to the client’s web browser.

Question 16

What is a MAC address?

Answer 16

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique 12 digit alphanumeric code that identifies an individual electronic device.