LO3 - Data versus information

Question 1

What is data?

Answer 1

Information without any context (numbers with no meaning)

Question 2

What is information?

Answer 2

Data that has been given context and meaning.

Question 3

What are file servers useful for?

Answer 3

They are useful for businesses or individuals who need to hold and manage large numbers of files.

Question 4

What do file servers do?

Answer 4

File servers store files, indexes them, remembers where they are to retrieve them and takes responsibility for security of the files, ensuring that only those who are entitled to read them can do so and only those who have the rights can edit or delete them.

Question 5

What do print servers do?

Answer 5

They manage the printing of documents. They control printers on the network, allowing a group or groups of employees to send print requests to specific printers. It can also reroute print requests, if there is a fault or incident, to the nearest appropriate and available printer. It can also manage an electronic queue.

Question 6

What do application servers do?

Answer 6

They are designed to install, operate and monitor the applications shared by other devices on the network.

Question 7

What do database servers do?

Answer 7

They are database architecture independent - the server will manage all activities, whether it is a relational database, flat file or object oriented.

Question 8

What does a web server do?

Answer 8

It s an internet server that reacts to HTTP requests to deliver content and services from a client.

Question 9

What does a mail server do?

Answer 9

It receives emails from the user network, both in the same domain and from external senders, and forwards it to the recipients, who may be local users or external senders.

Question 10

What do Hypervisor server?

Answer 10

It manages resources such as the processor, memory and devices so that each operating system not only receives the resources it needs but also prevents it clashing system with the other operating systems.

Question 11

What is the purpose of virtualisation?

Answer 11

The purpose is to create a simulated or virtual network, computer or server using software

Question 12

What is cloud technology?

Answer 12

Accessed through a network, primarily the internet. It is an example of storage virtualisation as data may be stored across multiple physical devices.

Question 13

What is a private cloud?

Answer 13

Where a business will have its own data centre that can be accessed by employees. This allows for flexible and convenient data storage and gives the business control over data management and security.

Question 14

What is a public cloud?

Answer 14

Uses third-party service providers such as Google Drive to provide storage over the internet. It is usually a pay-for-use service, where businesses will pay for specific amounts that they need.

Question 15

What is a hybrid cloud?

Answer 15

Uses a mix of on-site storage (private cloud) and third-party (public cloud) services. Organisations can move workloads between private and public clouds as their specific needs and costs change.

Question 16

What is a network topology?

Answer 16

Refers to the arrangement of computer systems on a network.

Question 17

What is a client server?

Answer 17

Clients make requests to a server, the server manages that request and responds.

The client is completely dependent on the server to provide and manage the information. The server controls network security, backups and can be upgraded to manage higher demand.

Question 18

What is a peer to peer network?

Answer 18

Data is shared directly between systems without requiring a central server.

Each computer is equally responsible for providing data. It is optimal for sharing files that can be downloaded.

Question 19

What is a bus topology?

Answer 19

Nodes are connected to a bus (a central cable which transfers all data on the network).

Question 20

What is a star topology?

Answer 20

Each computer system is connected to a central node: a hub or switch.

Question 21

What is a Mesh topology?

Answer 21

Each computer system is connected to every other computer system.
If one system fails then data packets can take an alternative route.

Question 22

3 Pieces of information for Configuration

Answer 22

1) IP Address
2) Default Gateway
3) Subnet Mask

Question 23

What is a local area network?

Answer 23

Network in which the computer systems are all located relatively close to each other.

Question 24

What is a metrapolitan area network (MAN)?

Answer 24

A network that covers the range of a town or city, for example a university campus network.

They are usually effective at providing fast communication for cities, with high connection speeds through the use of fibre optic cables.

Question 25

What is a Wide area network?

Answer 25

A network spanning a large geographical area, such as multiple cities or countries. E.g. the internet.

Question 26

What is ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)?

Answer 26

Method of transferring data across copper wire telephone lines.

Because it uses the telephone system it requires a modem at both sending and receiving end of the connection.

While bandwidth is high, it is not as secure as other methods such as leased line so a firewall and/or VPN would be needed to improve security.

Contended meaning connection speeds are slowed down when a lot of systems use the network at the same time.

Question 27

What is ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)?

Answer 27

Transmits video and voice data simultaneously over traditional copper telephone wires.

Uses a circuit-switched network where all data packets take the same route.

Question 28

What are Management information systems (MIS)?

Answer 28

They are designed to provide key information needed to aid the management process in making strategic decisions.