3e Network Components

Question 0

State the purpose of a hub in a network

Answer 0

allows devices to communicate/connect with each other in a

LAN (1)

Question 1

State two purposes for each of the following network components

1. Switch
2. Network interface card
3. Repeater

Answer 1

Switch
 connects network devices/a number of ports used to
facilitate connectivity (1)
 stores addresses of each network item (1)
 limits data traffic/controls access to devices (1)
 directs traffic intelligently to destination (1).
[2]
Network interface card
 connects device to network (1)
 converts digital signals on the network to correct
format for computer (1)
 MAC address uniquely identifies a computer on a
[2]
Repeater
network (1).
 a device used to link two cable segments (1)
 amplifies/retimes the signals (1)
 extends the distance of a cable run/extends
maximum cable length (1)
 extends the range of the network (1)
 retransmits the signal/passes signal on along cable

Question 2

State the purpose of a bridge

Answer 2

connects together two LANs/ segments which use the same protocol (1)

Question 3

A switch is used to connect devices together.

Give two characteristics of a switch that can be used to control data across the network (2)

Answer 3

Two from: 2 e.g.
 holds a routing table/holds (mac) addresses (1)
 bandwidth can be limited on each port (1)
 priority/quality of service given to applications requiring guaranteed bandwidth
(1)
 facilitates a virtual LAN through independent operation of ports

Question 4

The staff in the branches use computers in different departments, such as valuations, sales, rentals and publicity.
Explain why the computers in each branch should be connected together to create a LAN (4)

Answer 4

 allows hardware resources (eg. printers) to be shared between
computers (1) meaning one high quality one can be purchased (1)
which would save money (1) easier to maintain (1)
 control over the resources (1) security permissions/access logs can
be established to see who is looking/using what data (1)  backup/software updates can be centralised (1) removing
responsibility from end user (1)
 allows hot desking (1) each employee can have access to their data
regardless of which machine they sit at (1).

Question 5

Identify and describe one item of hardware required to create the LAN in the branches.(3 marks)

Answer 5

One for identify, two for description, eg:
 switch (1) a concentrator for the network (1) allows cables to be
3 Allow wireless networking devices.
plugged into it to redirect traffic (1)
 network Interface Card (NIC) (1) gives computer unique MAC
address (1) allows physical connection via cable to network (1)
 cable (1) physically connects NIC to switch/hub (1) different types
limit the distance the signal can travel (1)