B1 - Connectivity

Question 1

What is the difference between Wireless and Wired

Answer 1

• 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 methods of connecting devices are any method that uses physical cables to connect between devices, systems or components. Different types of connection rely on widely differing connectors, depending on what the signal or data is transmitting.
• 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 connection methods connect using the electromagnetic spectrum. This may be traditional radio waves or even light waves.

Question 2

What is Cat5 and Explain 2 Advantages and 2 limitations

Answer 2

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Telephone communications and ethernet networks.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Versatile and widely available.
👍 Cheap compared to other networking options.
𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Only useful over shorter distances.
👎 More susceptible to interference than other wired techniques such as fibre.

Question 3

What is Coaxial and Explain 2 Advantages and 2 limitations

Answer 3

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- All types of data communication, commonly used in television cabling.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Less susceptible to interference than UTP/STP so works over longer distances.
👍 Cheap, though not as cheap as UTP/STP.
𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Thickness of cable makes it difficult to work with.
👎 Limited bandwidth.

Question 4

what is Fibre Optic and Explain 3 Advantages and 2 limitations

Answer 4

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Telephone and internet cables, cable television and computer networking.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Improved security as the cable cannot be tapped.
👍 Can be used over long distances.
👍 High data transfer rate.
𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Very expensive.
👎 Specialist skills needed to install.

Question 5

what is VGA and Explain 2 Advantages and 3 limitations

Answer 5

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Analogue connection of video display equipment, such as projectors, CRTs or LCDs.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
- Universally used on high- resolution display equipment.
- Low-cost cabling.
𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
- heavy cabling
-Signal affected over distance (noise).
- No DRM (digital rights management).

Question 6

What is HDMI and Explain 2 Advantages and 2 Limitations

Answer 6

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Digital connection of both video and sound from devices to display equipment

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Capable of 8k resoulotion
👍 Used in Computing and entertainment

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 limited strength
👎 cabling and technology is more expensive than analogue equivalents such as VGA

Question 7

What is USB/FireWire and state 3 advantage and 2 limitations

Answer 7

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Connecting equipment and peripherals such as printers, scanners, input devices and cameras

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 High Speed capability
👍 Backwards Capability
👍 Can Connect multiple devices

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Limited Distance
👎 Limited Power supply

Question 8

what is Ethernet and state 4 advantages

Answer 8

• Provides greater bandwidth/ faster (network) connection (1) which allows faster data transmission (of larger files) / allows more files to be transmitted at the same time (1) which will improve productivity/efficiency (1)
• Improved security (1) because it does not radiate signals/provides a fixed connection (1) which makes hacking more difficult/difficult to tap/no need to give out wireless access keys (1)
• (Wired) signal strength/ (network) connection is stable/ fixed (1) is not affected by environmental/external factors/ no interference (1) which can reduce packet/signal loss (1)
• (Wired) signal strength/ (network) connection stays constant over distance (1) distance from the router is not an issue (1) reducing the need for boosters (1)

Question 9

What is Wi-fi and state 3 advantage and 2 limitations

Answer 9

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- To connect devices
wirelessly to local and wide
area networks such as the
internet

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍High data transfer speeds.
👍 Good range.
👍 Relatively cheap to install

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Can be complex
👎 Security concerns

Question 10

What is 3G/4G/WiMax and state 2 advantage and 2 limitations

Answer 10

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- To connect to data networks such as the internet whilst on the move

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Allows true mobility
👍 4G provides for very fast connection speeds

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Heavy data usage can be costly
👎 uses public networks

Question 11

What is satellite broadband and state 2 advantages and 2 limitations

Answer 11

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Provides connectivity to remote areas, often rural

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Wide coverage
👍 High speed

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 High latency
👎 Subject to weather conditions

Question 12

What is Microwave/laser

Answer 12

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
Allows Point-to-Point LAN connection between locations

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 High speed
👍 No ongoing costs

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Affected by poor weather
👎 High initial cost

Question 13

what is Bluetooth and state 2 advantage and 2 limitations

Answer 13

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- For pairing devices over short distances, such as wireless headphones watches, keyboard and mice

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Easy to set up
👍 Lower power consumption

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Low data transfer speeds
👎 Very short range

Question 14

what is Wi-Fi Direct and state 2 advantages and 2 limitations

Answer 14

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- For connecting devices to remote displays

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Can transmit both audio and video
👍 Usually built in to devices

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Limited range
👎 Can affect data connectivity

Question 15

what is Wi-Fi and 2 advantages and 1 limitation

Answer 15

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐬
- Allows Ad-Hoc networks to permit wireless printing scanning for example

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
👍 Simple setup
👍 uses existing Wi-Fi infrastructure

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
👎 Using ad-hoc networks can impact connectivity

Question 16

Advantage of wireless connections

Answer 16

• Easier to connect/ give access to guest users/ larger number of users/devices can connect (1)
• Portability/ signal is available anywhere (within range of router) (1)
• No risks caused by trailing wires (1)
• No additional wires/ cabling (1)

Question 17

Disadvantage of wireless connections

Answer 17

👎Signals diminish over distance (1)

👎Usually have a smaller bandwidth (1)

Question 18

Advantages of Wired Connections

Answer 18

👍Signals are stable / reliable (1)

👍Signals do not diminish over distance (1)

👍Signals are not subject to interference (from objects such as walls / other wireless devices) (1)

👍(Usually) have greater bandwidth than wireless connections (1)

👍More secure than wireless connections / Less risk of hackers (1)

👍Faster transmission speeds (uploading / downloading speeds) (1)

Question 19

Disadvantages / Implications of Wired Connections

Answer 19

👎 Restrict movement / no mobility / cables have to be laid (1) PC must stay where the connection point is (1)

👎Health & Safety risks (1) trailing cables / tripping hazards etc (1)

Question 20

Limitations of Wireless Laptops over Old Computers
(𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝/𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭)

Answer 20

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝/𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭

• Old/ varying ages of computers will have caused problems e.g. hardware and software incompatibility, limited storage capacity, slow processors. Problems also due to using a ‘mix’ of outdated hardware and software. Will hope that new will overcome these types of problems.

Question 21

Limitations of Wireless Laptops over Old Computers
(𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐯 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬)

Answer 21

• Wired networks provide a more secure connection. Wired connections give agency full control of who can access the network/data. As the admin offices will be dealing with a great deal of personal/sensitive data this is of paramount importance. Will need to increase security if move (admin offices) to wireless.
• Wired connection are generally more reliable / faster, wireless connections are subject to interference from a variety of sources.

Question 22

Limitations of Wireless Laptops over Old Computers
(𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞)

Answer 22

Positioning of PCs is currently restricted by the wired connection points.
Laptops:

• Users will have more flexibility to move around within the office/rearrange office
  Can take laptops around the building
  Disposal of old PCs
• Users may not like using laptops / ergonomics should be considered – with a PC have more choice in terms of hardware e.g. larger screens, different types of keyboard / ergonomic etc (with/without number pad)

Question 23

Limitations of Wireless Laptops over Old Computers

𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭

Answer 23

Will have to work within the budget provided by the grant and will need to consider:

⚫ Initial cost of purchasing the hardware / new laptops / spec for spec laptops more expensive than PCs.
May be costs of updating software, existing software on ‘old’ PCs may be out of date and incompatible with new laptops and modern operating systems

⚫ May be some increased costs for software licences depending on any new software purchased. However in most instances site licences will have been purchased and the licences can be transferred from PCs to laptops.

⚫ Unlikely to be any/minimal retraining costs (unless new software is necessary).

⚫ May be increase in ongoing costs as wireless networks are generally require more maintenance.

Question 24

Limitations of Wireless Laptops over Old Computers
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞

Answer 24

⚫ Will be very little downtime when replacing computers. Data from PCs is stored on / transferred to server.

⚫ However will need to test system to ensure that system can cope with the wireless traffic. Need to do this to minimise disruption – schedule appropriately.

⚫ Changes/extension to network in future - moving to a wireless provide the agency with more flexibility in the future if there is an increased need for computers.

Question 25

Limitations of Wireless Laptops over Old Computers

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

Answer 25

Portability of laptops will lead to need for increased security measures, both physical and software.

• Who will be responsible for the laptops
• What happens at the end of the day/when office is unoccupied – will laptops be locked away
• Need to review/set up security policy