Paper 1

Question 1

Control Unit (CU)

Answer 1

¬ executes program instructions by following FDE cycle
- controls data flow inside CPU to registers and outside CPU
- Overall control of CPU

Question 2

Program Counter (PC)

Answer 2

holds memory address of the instruction for each cycle

Question 3

cache

Answer 3

¬ very fast memory but slower than registers.
- Stores regularly used data to access quickly.
- low capacity but expensive
- which means more cache improves the performance of the CPU
- the bigger the cache size,the more data can be stored closer to the CPU.

Question 4

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Answer 4

holds the memory address about to be used by the CPU, which can point to specific data or CPU instructions

Question 5

Memory Data Register (MDR)

Answer 5

holds the data or instructions fetched from memory or waiting to be written to memory

Question 6

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Answer 6

¬ carries out calculations and logical operations.
- contains accumulator which is used to store intermediate results and calculations

Question 7

clock speed

Answer 7

¬ the speed which instructions are executed in cycles per second.
- measured in hertz

Question 8

higher rate of clock speed

Answer 8

the higher the rate clock speed, the greater the number of instructions that can be carried out per second

Question 9

core

Answer 9

-it can independently perform or process all computational tasks.
- more cores = the more instructions it can carry out at once so the faster it can process a batch of data

Question 10

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer 10

¬ main memory
- volatile (loses data when off)
- more RAM = better performance
- more programs can run at the same time -multitaksing
- stores: applications, GUI, OS

Question 11

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Answer 11

¬ CPU reads instructions from ROM
- non-volatile (keeps data when off)
- smaller capacity
- stores: BIOS

Question 12

virtual memory

Answer 12

Area of secondary storage used by the OS as extra RAM

Question 13

Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle (fetch)

Answer 13

1# copy memory address from PC to MAR
2# copy instructions stored in MAR to MDR
3# increment PC to point to address for next instruction

Question 14

decode

Answer 14

the instruction in the MDR is decoded by the CU . The CU may then prepare for the next step

Question 15

execute

Answer 15

the instructions is performed this could be load data from memory, write data to memory ,do a calculations or logic operation

Question 16

secondary storage

Answer 16

¬ where data is stored when not in use
- non- volatile
- (HDD, SSD)
- read / write speeds much slower than primary storage

Question 17

why secondary storage used

Answer 17

Secondary storage is non-volatile , long-term storage. It is used to keep programs and data indefinitely.

Question 18

magnetic storage
advantages and disadvantages

Answer 18

Advantages
- LARGE capacity (3TB)
- low cost
- fast read / write time
Disadvantages
- not very portable
- can be damaged

Question 19

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer 19

• portable HDDs back up and transport large data amounts
• long lasting (reliable)
• can be damaged by dropping
  ¬ traditional internal storage for laptops / PCs

Question 20

SSD advantages

Answer 20

• don’t need defragmentation
  -faster
  -more shock- proof
  -don’t make any noise

Question 21

optical discs advantages and disadvantages

Answer 21

• cheap per GB
• portable
• robust (can easily be scratched though)
• slow transfer speed compare to SSD

Question 22

Local Area Network (LAN)

Answer 22

¬ covers small geographic area located on a single site
LAN has own infrastructure

Question 23

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Answer 23

¬ covers large geographical areas , WAN uses external/shared infrastructure

Question 24

cloud backup storage

Answer 24

Advantages
Data Protection: Keeps your data safe from loss.
Accessibility: Access backups from anywhere.
Automatic Backups: No manual effort needed.
Cost-Effective: Reduces need for physical storage.
Scalability: Easily adjust storage as needed.
Quick Recovery: Fast data restoration.

Internet Dependency: Needs a stable connection.
Cost: Ongoing fees can add up.
Security Risks: Potential for data breaches.
Speed: Large backups/restores can be slow.
Limited Control: Less control over data management.
Compliance: Possible issues with sensitive data.

Question 25

what affects wireless network performance

Answer 25

-distance from Wireless Access Point (WAP
-physical objects (walls)
- interference from other devices
- weather

Question 26

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

Answer 26

allows devices to connect to WAN using WiFi

Question 27

router

Answer 27

connects two networks together (LAN and WAN) transmits data between them
* Receive packets
* transmitting packets
Assign IP addresses to nodes/

Question 28

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Answer 28

internal piece of hardware that allows a device to connect to a network

Question 29

fibre optic

Answer 29

data transmitted as light , fast but expensive. Longer distance = less interference

Question 30

switch

Answer 30

connect devices on a LAN. Switches receive data from one device and transmit this data to the device on the network with the correct MAC address

Question 31

virtual network

Answer 31

Non-physical network
 A private network that runs on a public/existing network.
make use of software to divide devices on a LAN into smaller groups

Question 32

user access level

Answer 32

User access levels
o Prevents accidental changes
o Limits data users can access

Question 33

Anti malware

Answer 33

Anti-malware
o Scans for / identifies virus/spyware
o Quarantines/deletes virus/spyware
o Stops the download of virus/spyware

Question 34

software security methods

Answer 34

encryption
firewall
Anti malware
user access level

Question 35

examples of utility programs

Answer 35

.Compression
* Firewall
* Anti-virus