Topic 5 Networks

Question 1

Authentication

Answer 1

The process of proving to a computer system who you are (eg username and password).

Question 2

Back-up

Answer 2

A copy of files in another location so that they are still available if the original copy is damaged or lost. Backing up is the process of making a back-up copy.

Question 3

Bandwidth

Answer 3

The amount of data that can be carried on a network in a given period of time.

Question 4

Byte

Answer 4

The basic combination of bits to represent an item of information. Typically consists of 8 bits.

Question 5

Checksum

Answer 5

An error detection technique. A mathematical formula is applied to the data and the resulting numerical value is transmitted with the data. The recipient computer applies the same formula to the received data and then compares the checksum sent with the data to the calculated checksum. If the checksums don’t match the data is likely to have been corrupted and the recipient computer requests the data again.

Question 6

Client-Server network

Answer 6

A network that has at least one server to provide services to the client computers.

Question 7

Cloud storage

Answer 7

Secondary storage, often belonging to a third part, that is accessed via a network, usually the internet, and so is not in the same physical place as the machines RAM/ROM. Files stored here can be accessed from anywhere via an internet connection.

Question 8

Communication media

Answer 8

The means by which data is transmitted between devices on a network. Coaxial cable, fibre-optic cable and microwaves are all forms of communication media.

Question 9

Cyberattack

Answer 9

Any kind of malicious attack on a network connected device.

Question 10

Encryption

Answer 10

The process of encoding a message into a form that only the intended recipient can decode or decrypt, and read. The message is encoded using an agreed method or algorithm. This is called the key. The encrypted method is called a cipher.

Question 11

Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)

Answer 11

Essentially a text document that contains any text to be displayed along with:
• Details of how the text should be formatted (font size, colour etc)
• Details of any hyperlinks and where they link to using a URL
• Details of any objects such as pictures or videos that should be shown within the webpage when it is displayed

Question 12

Internet

Answer 12

A wordwide system of interconnected networks that enables information to be exchanged and shared.

Question 13

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Answer 13

An organisation that provides its customers with a connection to the internet.

Question 14

Local Area Network (LAN)

Answer 14

A network that covers a relatively small geographical area, often a single site.

Question 15

Network

Answer 15

An arrangement of computers and other devices connected together to share resources and data

Question 16

Network topology

Answer 16

Describes how the devices on a network are connected together.

Question 17

Packet

Answer 17

A small quantity of data being sent through a network. It is labelled with the senders address and the recipient address, how many are being transmitted, and the position of this one in the complete message.

Question 18

Peer-to-peer network

Answer 18

A network that does not have any centralised servers. Each computer in the network can act as the client and the server.

Question 19

Protocol

Answer 19

A set of rules that govern how communications on a network should be formatted and what they should include.

Question 20

Router

Answer 20

A piece of networking hardware used to forward packets of data from one network to another.