Networks

Question 1

What is a network?

Answer 1

A collection of devices connected together

Question 2

Advantages of Networks

Answer 2

Enables us to share resources such as hardware devices and software

Question 3

Disadvantages of Networks

Answer 3

Expensive hardware, risk of viruses and hacking and specialist staff often required

Question 4

LAN

Answer 4

Local Area Network
- Network of computers based on the same site
- Generally connected using cables
- All hardware owned and controlled by organisation using it
- Typically connected using UTP cable, fibre optic or wi-fi

Question 5

WAN

Answer 5

Wide Area Network
- Network of computers over a large geographical area
- Generally connected using satellites
- Multiple LANs connected

Question 6

IP Address

Answer 6

Unique for every device on the Internet
e.g. 192.168.0.12
- Can change upon reconnection to a network such as the Internet

Question 7

MAC Address

Answer 7

All devices have a unique MAC address which never change (series of letters and numbers)

Question 8

Difference between MAC and IP Addresses

Answer 8

MAC address tells who you are.
IP address tells where you are.

Question 9

What is a Domain Name System?

Answer 9

Server which stores a list of domain names and their matching IP addresses where the website is stored

Question 10

What happens when a domain name is typed as a URL?

Answer 10

1) Domain name is typed as a URL
2) A query is sent to the DNS server for the IP address
3) The DNS server looks for the IP address or asks other DNS servers
4) When the IP address is found, it is passed to your browser

Question 11

Client

Answer 11

The computer that sends a request

Question 12

Server

Answer 12

The computer that responds to a request

Question 13

Peer

Answer 13

A computer that acts as both client and server

Question 14

Client Server Model

Answer 14

The server authenticates the user and then gives the client access to the requested files - best suited to organisations with a large number of computers

Question 15

Peer to Peer Model

Answer 15

No centralised servers - best suited for smaller organisations with fewer computers and users

Question 16

Advantages of Client Server Model

Answer 16

• Easier to manage file security
• Easier to back up shared data
• Easier to install software updates to all computers

Question 17

Disadvantages of Client Server Model

Answer 17

• Can be expensive to set up and maintain
• Requires IT specialists
• The server is a single point of failure
• Users will lose network access if the server fails

Question 18

Advantages of Peer to Peer

Answer 18

• Easy to maintain
• Specialist staff not required
• No dependency on a single computer
• Cheaper to set up
• No expensive hardware

Question 19

Disadvantages of Peer to Peer

Answer 19

• Network is less secure
• Users will need to manage their own backups
• Can be difficult to maintain a well ordered file store