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GCSE Computer Science Paper 1 (OCR) > 1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks > Flashcards

1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks Flashcards

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1
Q

What are standalone computers?

A

Computers not connected to a network.

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2
Q

What are the advantages of networking standalone computers together?

A

1) Users can share files and peripherals.
2) Users can access their files from any computer on the network.
3) Server can control security, software updates and backup of data.
4) Communication with others e.g. email and social network.

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3
Q

What are computers in a LAN connected with?

A

Switch.

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4
Q

What does a LAN cover?

A

A small geographical area located on a single site.

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5
Q

How does a LAN cover the area?

A

Wired through a UTP cable, fibre optic or wireless, using WIFI/ radio waves.

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6
Q

What does a WAN cover?

A

A large geographical area (connecting LAN’s together).

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7
Q

How does a WAN connect LAN’s together?

A

Infrastructure between LAN hired from telecommunication companies who own and manage it.

Connected with telephone lines, fibre optic cables or satellite links.

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8
Q

What are computers in a WAN connected with?

A

Router.

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9
Q

What are the disadvantages of networking?

A

1) Increased security risk to data.
2) Malware and viruses spread easier between computers.
3) If a server fails, computers connected to it may not work.
4) Computer might run slowly if there’s lots of data travelling on it.

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10
Q

Define bandwidth

A

How much data can be transferred over a connection in a given time.

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11
Q

How is bandwidth shared between users?

A

Through internal networks and WAN.

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12
Q

What are the two types of copper Ethernet cable used at the moment?

A

1) Cat-5
(slower: 100 Mbps)

2) Cat-6
(faster: 1Gbps)

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13
Q

Why is fiber optic cable good and bad?

A

Faster; more expensive.

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14
Q

How do fiber optic cables transfer data?

A

By reflecting beams of light through one end of the cable to the other.

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15
Q

What can effect wi-fi performance?

A

Latency: Max. speed a connection can go.

Throughput: Amount of traffic a network can carry at a time.

Packet Loss: Glitches, errors, or network overloading might result in the loss of data packets.

Retransmission: When packet loss does occur, those lost packets are retransmitted.

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16
Q

What are the two radio bands for wi-fi?

A

2.4 and 5GHz.

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17
Q

Is wireless or wired network cheaper?

A

Wireless (wi-fi) - Only needs WAP for its set up.

Wired network - Cost more to set up in a building
(cable management).

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18
Q

Define hub

A

A basic networking device that connects computers on the network
(cables connect the computer to ports on the hub).

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19
Q

How is a hub different from a switch and router?

A

It has no routing tables nor intelligence on where to send information.

Broadcasts all network data across each connection.

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20
Q

Define switch

A

Similar to a router; directs network traffic only to the intended recipient not across every connection, helping in data collisions.

Builds up a table of addresses of the computers on the network.

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21
Q

Define router

A

Device for connecting computers and other network capable devices together to form a network.

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22
Q

What does a WAP allow?

A

Wireless devices to connect to a network (LAN or WAN) through Bluetooth.

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23
Q

What do WAP’s provide?

A

Internet access in public places (often known as wi-fi hotspots).

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24
Q

What happens when a data packet arrives at a switch?

A

Its destination address is examined.

Switch creates a direct connection to that device.

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25
Q

How do routers allow packets from different network types to be exchanged?

A

1) They examine IP addresses of packets using a subnet mask.
2) The subnet mask determines which network the packet should be forwarded to using the routing table.
3) The routing table has a list of IP addresses and common routes for packets to take.

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26
Q

What does the network interface card allow?

A

1) A computer to connect to a wireless network.

2) Data packets to travel to and from a computer.

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27
Q

What does a network interface card contain?

A

A MAC address:

Physical hardware address and is unique to that computer.

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28
Q

What is the difference between a client model and peer to peer model?

A

Client server is a network that uses a server and peer to peer model doesn’t.

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29
Q

What are the properties of a client-server model?

A

1) Manages internet access and printing jobs.
2) Controls access and security to one shared file store.
3) Provides email services.
4) Runs backup of data.
5) Requests data and connections to the server.

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30
Q

What is easier when using a client server?

A

1) Managing security of files.
2) Taking backups of all shared data.
3) Installing software updates to all computers.

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31
Q

What are the disadvantages of using a client server?

A

1) Expensive to set up and maintain
2) Requires IT specialists to maintain
3) If the servers fail, users will lose access

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32
Q

What is a peer to peer model?

A

Multiple computers that can share and connect to each other but there is no central server managing it.

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33
Q

What is a peer and what do they serve?

A

A computer on the network and is equal to all other peers who serve their own files to each other and are responsible for their own security and backup.

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34
Q

What are the advantages of a peer to peer model?

A

1) Easy to maintain – specialist staff aren’t required.
2) Doesn’t depend on a single computer.
3) Cheaper to set up – no expensive hardware required.

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35
Q

What are the disadvantages of a peer to peer model?

A

1) Network is less secure.
2) Users manage their own security and backup.
3) Difficult to maintain a well ordered file store.

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36
Q

What is a computer network?

A

A group of computer systems and other devices linked together so that they can communicate and share resources such as printers

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37
Q

True/False: Computers on a network can share printers

A

True

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38
Q

Networks can be as small as…

A

two computers and a printer in a home network

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39
Q

What does WAN stand for?

A

Wide area network

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40
Q

Wide area networks connect…

A

separate LANs over a large geographical area

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41
Q

Wide area networks connect separate LANs over a large geographical area to form a…

A

network of networks

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42
Q

Why would large companies want to connect LANs to their different sites?

A

To share resources and data

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43
Q

True/False: Computers in a WAN can communicate with computers and users in other locations

A

True

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44
Q

What does LAN stand for?

A

Local Area Networks

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45
Q

Schools have a LAN/WAN

A

LAN

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46
Q

A local area network is…

A

a network in a small area such as home, school, office building or group of buildings on a single site

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47
Q

A local area network exists within a small/large geographical area

A

small

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48
Q

Who is a LAN usually managed by?

A

A local manager or team at the site

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49
Q

Many people have a home LAN/WAN

A

LAN

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50
Q

What do home LANs allow?

A

Members of a household to access the internet using a wireless router

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51
Q

The internet is a global system of…

A

interconnected computer networks

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52
Q

What do hyperlinks do in networks?

A

Take you from a host computer in one LAN to computer in another

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53
Q

What type of network is the internet an example of?

A

A huge WAN

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54
Q

Who will a WAN be managed by?

A

Several different people or parts of an organisation working together

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55
Q

How are LANs managed?

A

Independently

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56
Q

Bandwidth

A

The maximum amount of data that can pass through the medium per second

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57
Q

True/False: Hardware and software limitations can affect performance of a network

A

True

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58
Q

Give an example of a piece of network hardware

A

Switches and routers

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59
Q

A high number of users on a network can cause…

A

network congestion, leading to packets being queued before they can be transmitted by routers and switches

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60
Q

What causes network congestion?

A

A high number of users on a network

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61
Q

What does network congestion lead to?

A

Packets being queued before they can be transmitted by routers

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62
Q

High network traffic can lead to…

A

collisions of packets resulting in transmission errors

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63
Q

What do collisions of packets result in?

A

Transmission errors

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64
Q

When there are transmission errors as a result of collisions of data packets, the packets have to be ______

A

resent

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65
Q

Computer networks can range from…

A

small networks on a single site to much larger networks operating across continents

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66
Q

How big can a network be?

A

WANs can be huge - operating across continents

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67
Q

There are different types of networks to…

A

cater for different needs

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68
Q

What are the two types of computers in client-server networks?

A

File servers and clients

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69
Q

What are file servers?

A

Computers which control access and manage the network

70
Q

What are clients in a client-server network?

A

Computers on which the users work

71
Q

How do users access programs and data stored on a client-server network?

A

They log in

72
Q

How are client-servers responsible for network security?

A

By allocating login names and passwords to users

73
Q

How can all files held on client-servers be backed up?

A

Centrally

74
Q

How many types of computer are there in a peer-to-peer network?

A

Only one

75
Q

True/False: In a peer-to-peer network, there is a sever to manage the network

A

False, there is no server

76
Q

In a peer-to-peer network, there is no server to manage the network. All the computers are connected together _______

A

equally

77
Q

Computers in a peer-to-peer network are all equal and can…

A

communicate with each other directly without having to go through a server

78
Q

In a peer-to-peer network, each client can act as a ______

A

server

79
Q

In a peer-to-peer network, clients can share…

A

programs, data and printers

80
Q

What does it mean by security being distributed in a peer-to-peer network?

A

Each user can grant rights to others and allocate passwords

81
Q

In a peer-to-peer network, data is stored…

A

on each client and not centrally

82
Q

In a peer-to-peer network, each user is responsible for…

A

backup up each client

83
Q

How do devices on a network communicate?

A

Through cables or radio waves

84
Q

Cables are a wired/wireless way of communicating in a network

A

wired

85
Q

Radio waves are a wired/wireless way of communicating in a network

A

wireless

86
Q

In a network devices can be physically connected using…

A

either coppor wire or fibre optic cable

87
Q

How does copper wire transmit data?

A

As electric signals

88
Q

How does fibre optic cable transmit data?

A

As pulses of light

89
Q

Give one advantage of copper wire

A

Cheaper than fibre optic

90
Q

Give one advantage of fibre optic cable

A

Transmit signals at faster speeds and over greater distances than copper wire

91
Q

Fibre optic cable can transmit signals at faster/slower speeds than copper wire

A

faster

92
Q

Fibre optic cable can transmit signals over greater/smaller distances than copper wire

A

greater

93
Q

Wireless networks use _____ waves, which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, to communicate

A

radio

94
Q

What are the most commonly used frequencies for data transmission in wireless networks?

A

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

95
Q

The frequency range of radio waves is divided into how many channels?

A

14

96
Q

The frequency range of radio waves is divided into channels spaced how far apart?

A

5 MHz

97
Q

Why would users change the operating channel of their Wi-Fi device?

A

To prevent interference

98
Q

What are protocols?

A

Rules that computers must follow when communicating over a network

99
Q

Ethernet protocols are used in…

A

cable networks

100
Q

Wi-Fi protocols are used in…

A

wireless networks

101
Q

Wi-Fi is one wireless technology that uses _____ waves

A

radio

102
Q

Give an example of a wireless protocol

A

Any from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi Direct

103
Q

There are/are no physical connections in Wi-Fi networks

A

are no

104
Q

Wi-Fi networks must be protected why __________ algorithms

A

encryption

105
Q

Bandwidth on a cable network is high/low

A

high - up to 10 Gbps

106
Q

Bandwidth on a wireless network is high/low

A

low - up to 600 Mbps

107
Q

Installation of a cable network is easy/difficult

A

difficult - must run cables through the site

108
Q

Installation of a wireless network is easy/difficult

A

easy - just need wireless access points

109
Q

Security on a cable network is good/poor

A

good - need to plug computer into a socket

110
Q

Security on a wireless network is good/poor

A

poor - anyone within range can access the network. Must use security passwords

111
Q

There is/isn’t interference in a cable network

A

isn’t - there is no interference with cables

112
Q

There is/isn’t interference in a wireless network

A

is - signals can be affected by walls and other electronic equipment

113
Q

Mobility with a cable network is good/poor

A

poor - need to plug computer into a socket

114
Q

Mobility with a wireless network is good/poor

A

good - access can be from anywhere within range

115
Q

Why is the installation of a cable network difficult?

A

You must run cables throughout the site

116
Q

Why is security on a wireless network poor?

A

Anyone within range can access the network. Must use security passwords

117
Q

Why is there interference with a wireless network?

A

Signals can be affected by walls and other electronic equipment

118
Q

Why is there good mobility with a wireless network?

A

Access can be from anywhere within range

119
Q

Why is there poor mobility with a wired network?

A

Need to plug computer into a socket whereas wireless networks can be accessed from anywhere within range

120
Q

Why are cable networks more expensive than wireless ones?

A

Cost of cables and installation

121
Q

State two types of cable that can be used to network computers

A

Copper wire and fibre optic cable

122
Q

What is required to connect all computers in a local area network?

A

Hardware

123
Q

What does NIC stand for?

A

Network Interface Controller/Card

124
Q

What to computers need to connect to a network?

A

An NIC/adapter

125
Q

What does the NIC do?

A

Formats the data sent to and received by the computer

126
Q

Where are NICs often located?

A

On the computer motherboard

127
Q

True/False: NICs are often built on chips on the CPU

A

False, they are on the motherboard

128
Q

Every NIC is created with its own unique ___ number programmed into it

A

MAC

129
Q

What does MAC stand for in terms of a MAC address?

A

Media access control

130
Q

What does the MAC address do?

A

Ensure that data is directed to the correct computer

131
Q

Hubs and switches are used to…

A

Link computers so they can communicate with each other once they have connected to the network using the NIC

132
Q

Hubs and switches are used to link computers so that they can communicate with each other once…

A

they have connected to the network using the NIC

133
Q

What do hubs in a network do?

A

Send every message to every computer on the network

134
Q

What is the downside of using a hub in a network?

A

Because it sends every message to very computer, it creates extra unnecessary network traffic

135
Q

What do switches in a network do?

A

Read the destination addresses of the messages and relay them only to the intended recipients

136
Q

How do switches relay information to only the intended recipients?

A

They read the MAC addresses of the computers to which the message is being sent

137
Q

True/False: Switches send every message to every computer on a network

A

False, that is what hubs do

138
Q

True/False: Hubs relay messages only to the intended recipients

A

False, that is what switches do

139
Q

How do switches and hubs affect the performance of networks?

A

By their effect on the amount of network traffic

140
Q

Routers connect…

A

different networks together

141
Q

What do routers do?

A

They read address information and forward the messages to the correct network

142
Q

Routers are used to…

A

transfer data between a home network and the internet

143
Q

What do wireless devices need to connect to cabled networks?

A

Wireless access points

144
Q

What do wireless access points do?

A

Convert data received through cables into wireless signals and vice versa

145
Q

Like hubs, wireless access points do/do not read the destination addresses and direct messages to all devices

A

do not

146
Q

Do hubs send information only to the intended recipients?

A

No, they do not read the destination addresses and therefore direct messages to all devices

147
Q

Wireless access points are often used for…

A

hotspots in public buildings

148
Q

State the function of a network router

A

A router forwards data traffic between computer networks

149
Q

The internet is a LAN/WAN

A

WAN

150
Q

The internet is a huge network of networks with the computers linked by…

A

a combination of wired and wireless transmission media

151
Q

What is a host?

A

A computer accessed by users at remote locations over networks, including the internet

152
Q

We hosting companies rent space…

A

on their servers for websites

153
Q

What is the benefit of using a web hosting company?

A

The hosting company handles all of the technical and security issues

154
Q

Every computer using the internet has a unique __ address

A

IP

155
Q

What does IP stand for?

A

Internet protocol

156
Q

Why do computers have unique IP addresses?

A

So that other computers know where to send any requested data such as web pages

157
Q

The IP address is used in the internet in the same way as the…

A

MAC address is used on the LAN

158
Q

IP addresses are either __ bit or ___ bit numbers

A

32 or 128

159
Q

Why are IP addresses represented as URLs?

A

They are easier to remember

160
Q

When an IP address is represented as a URL (eg mysite.com), mysite.com is the…

A

domain name

161
Q

When a user uses a domain name, what translates it back into the IP address?

A

DNS

162
Q

What does DNS stand for?

A

Domain Name Service

163
Q

When a browser requests access to a host using its domain name, the client computer contacts…

A

the DNS server

164
Q

What does the DNS server contain?

A

A database of domain names

165
Q

What does the database of domain names contained in the DNS server allow it to do?

A

Look up the domain name and return the IP address

166
Q

What is the process of a DNS server being contacted and returning the IP address of the requested site to allow it to be accessed known as?

A

Resolving the domain name

167
Q

What happens after a user enters the domain name into a browser on a client computer?

A

The client contacts the DNS server to resolve the domain name

168
Q

If a client contacts a DNS server to resolve the domain name and its not in the server’s database, what happens?

A

It contacts another server which then resolves it and returns it to the first server

169
Q

Once the requested IP address has been found in the DNS server’s database, the server…

A

returns the IP address to the client

170
Q

What happens after the DNS server returns the requested IP address to the client?

A

The client contacts the host using the IP address

171
Q

Define what is meant by web hosting

A

A web host provides space for a website on a server so that it can be accessed by internet users

172
Q

Give two advantages of using a web host

A

The user doesn’t need the technical knowledge to set up a web server or ensure that it is secure from hackers

GCSE Computer Science Paper 1 (OCR) (9 decks)

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