Module 2.1 - Networks

Question 1

3G

Answer 1

The third generation of cellular communications technology. There is no single 3G standard. 3G offers features such as high-speed transmission, advanced multimedia access and global roaming.

Question 2

Hotspot

Answer 2

An area, usually in a public space such as an airport, restaurant or hotel lobby, where people may receive and be granted WiFi access from an access point to connect wirelessly to the Internet.

Question 3

LAN

Answer 3

Local Area Network - A network that connects the computers in a small area such as a school or office in one building to another.

Question 4

Router

Answer 4

A device that makes it possible for networks to communicate over the internet, by directing data to its correct destination.

Question 5

WiFi

Answer 5

A method of connecting to an existing network wirelessly, by using radio waves to send and receive data.

Question 6

4G (LTE)

Answer 6

4G is the fourth generation of cellular wireless standard and is a successor to 3G. 4G networks use different frequencies to transmit data and should achieve far higher speeds that 3G.

Question 7

Bandwidth

Answer 7

The total amount of data that can be transferred from one point to another in a given period of time.

Question 8

HAN

Answer 8

Home Area Network - A small network within a home environment.

Question 9

WiMAX

Answer 9

An upgrade of WiFi technology (radio waves) rather than cables to communicate.

Question 10

Modem

Answer 10

A device that converts the data signal from a computer to a format that can be transmitted over a communication channel such as an ADSL line.

Question 11

Access point

Answer 11

Also called a base station, consists of a sender/transceiver and an antenna which transmits and receives radio waves so that the devices that are wireless enabled are able to communicate with one another and the network.

Question 12

WAN

Answer 12

Wide Area Network - A network that is spread over a wide geographical area, such as cities and countries.

Question 13

NIC

Answer 13

Network Interface Controller - A device that allows a computer to communicate with a network either wirelessly or via a cable connecting the network to the NIC in the computer.

Question 14

Location-based computing

Answer 14

Computing where the physical location of objects and people are determined and used.

Question 15

Switch

Answer 15

A device used to connect computers in a network to central location so that communication can occur - it directs the traffic between devices connected to the network.

Question 16

VoLP

Answer 16

Voice Over Protocol - A protocol, or special set of rules for communication between devices, that allows telephone calls to be made over LANs, WANs and the internet.

Question 17

PAN

Answer 17

Personal Area Network - A computer network with a range of a few meters that is organised around an individual.

Question 18

Topology

Answer 18

The layout of the physical connection of the computers in a network.

Question 19

VPN

Answer 19

Virtual Private Network - A network implemented via a public network such as the internet. This enables the user to log onto a network from a remote location with the same benefits of privacy and security as a LAN.

Question 20

WLAN

Answer 20

Wireless LAN - A LAN which uses wireless technology (radio waves) rather than cables to communicate.