Internet and Network Technologies

Question 1

Define the concept grid computing

Answer 1

Processing power of many computers are combined in order to complete a single task/solve a problem

Question 2

Name ONE communication technology that uses light to transfer data

Answer 2

(1) Fibre optic
(2) Li-Fi (Light fidelity)
(3) IR (Infrared)

Question 3

Many people and organisations use video conferencing for meetings or events, e.g. Zoom, Skype or Google Meet

Suggest TWO good practices an organiser can implement to manage a video conference

Answer 3

(1) Ensure all participants hear/see the speaker and/or other participants/presentations
(2) Have participants mute their microphones if they are not speaking/Mute the participants
(3) Give all participants an opportunity to participate, e.g. chat box, hands-up, voice and sharing their screen
(4) Enable setting for filtering out background noises/Disallow distracting backgrounds
(5) Enable transcripts
(6) Record the proceedings of the meeting
(7) Add security measures for joining, e.g. waiting room

Question 4

Many people and organisations use video conferencing for meetings or events, e.g. Zoom, Skype or Google Meet

Explain TWO disadvantages of video conferencing

Answer 4

(1) Less in-person contact
(2) Possible network instability and time lag/Intermittent software issues
(3) Lack of full participation/engagement
(4) Participants’ inability to use the technology adequately
(5) Requires specific hardware, e.g. webcam
(6) Data intensive

Question 5

Give TWO reasons why users cannot access a file on a network

Answer 5

(1) Access rights may prevent users from opening the file
(2) Problem with the connection to the server
(3) Server is offline
(4) The file is corrupt

Question 6

People in your household share the internet connection in your home

Give TWO ways to prevent problems, such as buffering and delays, while using the internet without having to close applications or restricting the number of users.

Answer 6

(1) Disable automatic updates/Enable data saver
(2) Stream at a lower resolution
(3) Reduce use of multimedia/Disable automatic video play in certain apps
(4) Reduce distance/obstacles between router and user

Question 7

Give TWO reasons why instant messaging is widely used

Answer 7

(1) Easy access to IM apps via smartphones/multiple platforms
(2) Real-time communication
(3) Easy to create and manage groups
(4) Messages are usually secure/End-to-end encryption
(5) Additional functionality, e.g. voice call/group call/voice note

Question 8

What type of network can a company use to connect their offices across the country?

Answer 8

WAN

Question 9

Give TWO reasons why a teacher would require learners to log in on the computer centre’s network

Answer 9

1) Necessary for secure profiles/Gain access to folder associated with each profile
2) User profiles distinguish users on a network/The access rights for each user
3) Necessary for a classroom management system
4) Necessary to access services provided by the network server, e.g. file sharing, hardware sharing, internet

Question 10

Explain TWO reasons why you could get a ‘Page not found’ error when you try to open a bookmarked website

Answer 10

1) Website is down due to maintenance
2) Page was removed/Bookmarked page does not exist anymore
3) (Host) server is offline

Question 11

Suggest TWO criteria you should consider when choosing an ISP

Answer 11

1) Coverage of the ISP’s services
2) Types of services/security offered by the ISP
3) Download and upload speeds offered
4) Support offered by the ISP
5) Reviews from other customers, e.g. reliability
6) Pricing/Terms of the various packages/contracts available

Question 12

Recommend TWO netiquette rules for a WhatsApp study group chat

Answer 12

1) Be kind and courteous
2) Do not send large attachments
3) Do not type in capital letters
4) Do not use vulgar language/Use more formal language
5) Keep chats related to the purpose of the group/Do not send spam messages

Question 13

Explain the following concept

Search engine

Answer 13

Software/Application that finds/searches for web pages by using key words/phrases

Question 14

Explain the following concept

Web browser

Answer 14

A program that gives access to the www / Software that allows the user to explore and to view web pages

Question 15

Give a reason why users experience buffering when streaming videos

Answer 15

1) Insufficient bandwidth/Slow internet connection
2) Streaming in high resolution

Question 16

Give TWO uses of IoT in a home environment

Answer 16

1) Devices can be monitored via the internet
2) Devices can be controlled via the internet
3) A variety of sensors can be used to produce data for decision-making
4) Improves reliability of the automated devices
5) Creates opportunities for the integration of various devices

Question 17

Name the system that a research company can use to address the need for more computer processing power, without having to buy new hardware

Answer 17

Grid computing

Question 18

Name a type of internet connection you would recommend for a school AND motivate your answer

Answer 18

Fibre

1) High speed internet access
2) Cost effective internet access
3) Reliable/stable

Question 19

What is the advantage of using the https protocol over the http protocol?

Answer 19

Https indicates that the website is secure/encrypted

Question 20

Suggest TWO ways in which software can be used to protect a network from unauthorised users

Answer 20

1) Use a firewall
2) Set up access rights/logins for authorised users (username and password)
3) Use data encryption

Question 21

Give TWO reasons why some users prefer to listen to a podcast rather than reading text

Answer 21

1) For visually impaired people/special needs/physical disabilities
2) To learn pronunciation of words
3) Some people learn better through audio means
4) Many people multi-task when listening to a podcast, e.g. wear earphones while jogging
5) User can control the listening speed, etc.

Question 22

A particular router has only four network cable ports

State TWO ways to connect more than four devices to this router

Answer 22

1) Add a wireless connection/Access Point
2) Add a switch

Question 23

Give TWO reasons why internet access is important to users of computing devices

Answer 23

1) Search for information
2) E-learning
3) Use social media
4) Internet services, e.g. financial services, etc.
5) Software updates for latest features
6) Cloud computing/storage
7) Collaboration/Communication between users
8) Working from home
9) Entertainment/streaming/gaming

Question 24

Discuss TWO advantages of using a VPN

Answer 24

1) Secure connection to a network/internet/application
2) Can virtually change your geographic location
3) Provides privacy by masking your IP address
4) Provide simultaneous access to multiple users and remote users

Question 25

You cannot connect to the computer network in your classroom

Suggest TWO possible ways to resolve this problem

Answer 25

1) Check network cable connection
2) Check for flashing lights on the switch/router and the ports
3) Restart the PC/router/switch
4) Log out, log in
5) Check network adaptor settings
6) Check whether network adaptor is enabled
7) Check if the wireless network has reached the maximum connected devices
8) Disable the airplane mode on the device
9) Check power supply to all devices
10) Check username and password
11) Network administrator updates/creates profile

Question 26

Give TWO advantages of grid computing

Answer 26

(1) Large processing tasks are shared over many computers/Enormous processing power
(2) The failure of one computer will not affect processing tasks
(3) Scaling of processing power is easy
(4) Uses idle resources (cost effective)
(5) Not necessary to invest in expensive equipment for tasks requiring large processing power

Question 27

Give TWO similarities between VoIP and streaming

Answer 27

(1) Both technologies support video and/or sound/Both require similar hardware
(2) Both technologies support adjusting quality (compression settings/various codecs)
(3) Both technologies run over the internet/Both require high speed internet connection/high bandwidth
(4) Both technologies run in real time

Question 28

Why would you use a browser add-on?

Answer 28

To add extra functionality that is not ordinarily available in the browser

Question 29

Give ONE reason why you would adjust the home page settings in a browser

Answer 29

Have a certain website load automatically when opening the browser / Default page to load

Question 30

From an end-user point of view, explain TWO disadvantages of deleting the browser history and cache

Answer 30

(1) Pages (you visit frequently) take longer to load
(2) Additional bandwidth/data is used to download resources again
(3) You may not remember the sites you visited in the last week/month/year
(4) Unable to track browser activity of a user

Question 31

Explain the concept of a cap in the context of internet access

Answer 31

Limit placed on the amount of data a user may use over a certain period , e.g. a calendar month

Question 32

Suggest TWO benefits of synchronising the calendar in a web-based e-mail client

Answer 32

(1) The calendar will be updated/can be edited on other devices
(2) Online meeting invites from e-mail appear automatically in the calendar
(3) Calendar can push/notify you of important activities